The Tzav Rishon consists of
a few different tests to measure your mental and physical health, as
well as your intelligence and motivation.
Upon arriving in the
morning, I was directed to the Hebrew testing station. For months,
this station was my most feared, as the results determine whether or
not I need to attend Michve Alon (a three-month army ulpan in the
beginning of the service). The first component of the test was a bit
of general conversation, designed to gauge spoken level. Following
the oral test came the reading portion, in which I was given lines to
read and translate. Of course, after feeling slightly confident about
the spoken bit, the lines appeared to be gibberish to me. Thankfully,
that section was short. Finally, the written component consisted of
reading a few words in a sentence and completing it as I wished.
Overall, I felt that the written was my strongest portion.
I can't say I felt
confident as I left the Hebrew test. At this point, my biggest
obstacle to conquering the Hebrew language is a lack of confidence
when I speak, something I feel easily shines through in an
examination. I was told a few days later that I wasn't given a high
enough score to get out of Michve Alon. A few days later, however,
the mashakiot (army social workers) informed me that my score
was borderline, meaning I'd have another chance to test out of Michve
Alon in the beginning of November before the draft. Whatever result I
get at that point sits fine with me. I'm happy to draft into the army
ulpan if I need it, though I'd much prefer to draft straight into a
combat unit this November.
Moving on...
Directly after the Hebrew
test came the health examination. This consisted of a urine sample,
eye exam, and a general check-up with the doctor. He checked for the
usual issues and specific problems that might hold someone back in a
unit designed for fighting and physically strenuous work. A health
profile is given at the end of the exam and is a major factor in
determine which units one is eligible for, especially men.
A 97 health profile is the
highest a soldier can receive and means he's eligible for any unit.
An 82 is given for specific small issues (very flat feet, strong
seasonal allergies, etc.) and limits a soldier to regular combat
units. A 72 is the next profile, given for more serious health
issues, and limits a soldier to very specific combat units (tanks,
artillery, field intelligence). Anything below a 72 eliminates a
soldier from combat contention.
Thankfully, I was given a
97 and proceeded on to the next test.
After the intelligence
test, a series of shape patterns and analogies (thankfully given to
me in English), I sat through a short interview to determine my lone
soldier status. I completed the day far sooner than expected and left
the Lishkat Giyus (draft
office), satisfied with a productive day under my belt.
About
four days later, I received the results of my Tzav Rishon. Three
scores are given to each draftee: the physical profile, the
intelligence score, and the Kaba. The
Kaba is the overall
score the army gives a draftee and represents their evaluation of the
future soldier as a whole. The highest possible score is a 56. The
score helps determine eligible jobs for the draftee and possible
entrance to officer school in the future, as well as opening up doors
such as Yom Sayerot (special
forces tryouts), something I'll explain a little bit in the next
post.
Thankfully,
I received good scores in each of the sections and now patiently wait
to find out where I'll be heading as a soldier.
Signing
off for my first time as property of the Israel Defense Forces!
-Brett
