Is it possible to postpone or bring forward your recruitment?

The recruitment date is determined according to the needs of the army and cannot be changed, except for exceptional cases that require approval. If there is a problem that prevents you from enlisting at this time, you should send a detailed personal request for a postponement or bringing forward the recruitment date, with the relevant documents.

In most cases, such an application will be approved only if there is a change in your personal stats or following a change in your financial or medical condition (or of an immediate relative). This application may be submitted up to two weeks before the date of recruitment.

Are there cases in which I cannot serve in a closed base?

Soldiers with socio-economic problems at home, mainly due to poor health and/or mental state of the soldier's parents, or an immediate relative, will be eligible for easing of their military service conditions (known as “HATASH”). The HATASH may be approved and provided by the Terms of Service (TASH) Unit  or the Mental Health officer .

There are six types of easings of service conditions (HATASH):

"Hatash" 1 - The soldiers will not be deployed in a combat unit.

"Hatash" 2 - The soldiers will sleep at least two nights a week at home.

"Hatash" 3 - The soldiers will sleep at least three nights a week at home and will not be placed in a unit that exceeds 100 kilometers from their home.

"Hatash" 4 - Can only be obtained from the Mental health officer. The soldier will sleep at least four nights a week at home and will not be placed in a unit that exceeds 100 kilometers from their home.

"Hatash" 5 - The soldiers are entitled to sleep at home permanently and will not be placed in a unit that is located further that 100 kilometers from their home. However, the soldiers can do night duty and even weekends (Friday and Saturday) at the base.

"Hatash" 7 - Day-to-day service. The soldiers are entitled to spend all seven nights at home, without overnight duty at the base. In addition, the soldiers will not be assigned to a unit further than 100 kilometers from their home.

Can I meet a representative from the Terms of Service Unit prior to my enlistment date?

Yes, and it is even recommended if needed. Sending requests related to service conditions before the enlistment, which will result in opening a TASH file, will prevent there being a gap from the time of the draft day until getting the response. It is recommended that lone soldiers, vegans etc., should submit an application for a meeting with a representative from the Terms of Service Unit before enlisting via the Service Center of the MEITAV unit.

You must submit updated documents regarding your financial/family situation.

Is it possible to work during the service?

Yes, it is possible after signing a number of relevant forms at the Terms of Service Unit. The required forms must be submitted to the Terms of Service Unit who will pass the forms to the command staff for further examination.

Can anyone get a permit to work during their military service?

Every soldier is entitled to receive a work permit in accordance with his economic situation, but it must be taken into account that the permit does not allow the soldier to stay at home or not to be present at the base when required. The work permit allows work only when the soldiers are outside the base.

How can I declare veganism?

You must declare this to your direct commander in basic training and in the base to which you are later assigned. Please note that all the IDF kitchens are suitable for vegans. In addition you will be entitled to receive a non-wool beret and shoes appropriate for vegans on the draft day.

What is a special vacation (“Meyuhedet”) and what are the conditions do get it?

Apart from the annual leave during the service, there is a possibility to get an additional days of vacation called a “special vacation”. The special vacation is designed to solve a temporary problem. The vacation may be used for work due to a difficult economic situation, or for mourning the death of an immediate relative, as well as for psychometric or matriculation examination.

You must know that in most cases you need to provide documents in advance in order to get permission for the special vacation. Therefore, in cases where you know that you will need this special vacation, it is advisable to prepare all the documents in advance and present them to the Terms of Service Officer in the unit.

Any such request will be examined by the soldier's command staff.

I have no place to sleep, can the military help me?

Of course, if you live far from the base where you serve and cannot return home every day, you should contact the Terms of Service Officer in your unit and ask to register at the soldier's home (BEIT HAHAYAL) near your base. In addition, there is often the option of accommodation within the base.

Please note, that even if the military criteria does not allow you to receive free accommodation at BEIT HAHAYAL for various reasons, such as a nearby place of residence, you can choose to stay there for a nominal fee of NIS 40 per night based on availability.

What are family payments (TASHMASH)?

Family payment is an additional sum that is paid by the military, to soldiers who serve a mandatory service, to assist with economic problems of their parents or, if they are married, to assist their spouses or children. The Terms of Service Officer and other military officials will examine the financial situation of your family and if there is a significant gap between the minimum wage and considering the number of persons in the household, you can receive a monetary supplement to the minimum wage each month at the expense of the army.