A couple short months ago, I went for my "Tzav Rishon" or "First Notice" at the IDF draft office in Tiberias. It was a day I had waited years for (yes, a running theme on Brothers in Israel) and had been told about, in detail. It was never lost on me that this day would be extremely important in determining the rest of my army service! After many long hours, random interviews, tests, and a medical check-up... I was free to go home, with my medical profile a perfect 97 (the highest you can get), pending the results of an eye exam I would, much to my dismay, have to come back for at a later date.
A few days later, I was informed that I was one of many in my Garin who would not be eligible to draft directly into my regular unit in November, because of my Hebrew level. While it wasn't a totally unexpected development, it was still disappointing, given how ready and eager I was to "get started" in the army. The score I got, rumored to be a 5 out of 10 (you need a six), meant that I would draft in December and do three months of army ulpan at Michve Alon as the first part of my service. However, we were also told that there would be an opportunity for the few of us who were very close to passing to re-test in November. Despite our pessimism that we would improve enough, it was something we agreed to work toward.
The next few weeks in our Garin were hectic and very busy, with everyone attending to different things the army needed them to do, sandwiched in-between Garin trips and events for all of Garin Tzabar. For example, there were "Gibushim," tryouts for specific jobs in the army, interviews, and other appointments. For my part, there was my eye exam at a completely different draft office (go figure), where I wasn't even tested, just asked about my medical history with my eyes for a few minutes. The doctor himself was infatuated with the city I came from in America, so we chatted about that, and his granddaughter (who he insisted he introduce me to), and then sent me on my way.
As the critical Hebrew re-test drew near, and our nerves escalated, we had a trip in the South, where we were able to spend some final quality time with all of the people we had been with every single day in our Garin, now getting prepared to head off to their jobs in the army. It is well-understood that, especially for the guys, many weeks can go by before we have the same time off and see one another. It was a valuable time to reflect on some of the incredible relationships we have built over our time there. At that point, not knowing where I would be going in the army (nor where many of my friends would be going), I wondered who I would see the most, and how different life was going to be in a few weeks.
Finally, the day arrived for the Hebrew test and so did my now third trip to the draft office, this time back in Tiberias. Butterflies in my stomach, I took every opportunity I could to show the girl interviewing me that I did know how to speak. On the written "fill-in-the-blank" style sentences, I must have written paragraphs, not caring whether or not I made mistakes, just trying to throw everything I knew onto that paper. With a little bit of luck, my score improved, and I was told that I would not have to go to Michve Alon after all.
This point is where a roller coaster of a week started for us... for some reason, Brett's score remained the same and he was told that he would still have to go to Michve Alon. I can't begin to describe the mix of emotions I had at hearing the news... for so long, we envisioned our paths in the army to run parallel, that even though we would more than likely be in different units, we could relate to the point in our time in the army that we were sharing. Even more disappointing was that he certainly did not deserve to stay at the same level as his first exam. We began to think of solutions and Brett started to work on them (which I'm sure he will detail), but nevertheless, on the ride home, we both sat in shock, trying to wrap our minds around what had happened. I would be drafting in two weeks now, to the unit I would spend the rest of my time in the army with, while he would be drafting in December, to Michve Alon. To make everything far more interesting, the very next day we had "Gibush Tzanchanim," the tryout for the Paratroopers.
I will save the details of the gibush for a separate post, but I will say that it was, so far, the most physically and mentally challenging experience of my life. I feel completely privileged to have taken part in it, and even had Brett in my team, against all odds, the whole way through. This meant that through sprinting and crawling the hours away, I had him to look toward for motivation and encouragement. We both had the honor of finishing, and that night boarded a plane back to the States for a pre-draft visit.
Because I only tested out of Michve Alon so late in the game, I never had the opportunity to fill out my preferences for where I wanted to go in the army. This is a standard thing that everyone does, listing their choices and hoping for the best. Garin Tzabar is well-known for ensuring that many people get their first or second choices. For me, all of my top choices were infantry units, even though there were some that I ranked higher than others. Passing the tryout for Paratroopers would have meant that I would automatically gone there, while if I didn't, I would hopefully end up in my first or at least second choice in my preference list (called a "Manila" in Israeli slang). While in America, though, I was told that due to how late I had to submit my choices, the likelihood was that I would not be able to draft into an infantry job. I will be the first person to advocate for the importance of every job in the army, but I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that my dream of being a combat soldier in the IDF's renowned infantry was all-but-faded. Things just weren't going the way we had expected, as we have always been told is the case with the army.
After a few very long days of reflecting on the situation, I came to terms with the fact that wherever I would go, I would have a meaningful service, giving all of myself, and taking everything possible I could from the job I would have. Not going into an infantry job would not mean less of a fulfillment of my dream to be a soldier in the IDF. I researched all of the things I had chosen after infantry, enthusiastic about my future, no matter what. Then, just as it all became more than okay, I was told that I did get my first choice! The happiness I felt was overwhelming, a sudden upturn on the ride we had been on, and a very-much renewed appreciation for just how much I wanted to go to the place I had been assigned.
To top it all, against all odds, Brett is no longer required to go to Michve Alon and will be drafting one day after me.
So where am I going?
The Nachal Infantry Brigade
I will report to my draft in six short days to join a unit that I am really excited about. It is known for being a welcome home to lone soldiers and for having great people among its ranks, in addition to its military history.
It would weigh heavily on me if I didn't take the opportunity to urge anyone reading to keep Israel in your hearts and minds today and in the days ahead, due to the ongoing operation in the South and the constant terror from Gaza. Any loss of life is totally regretful, and Israel did not ask to be in the position it is in, but something has to be done for our citizens who live under constant attack.
I promise a TIMELY update after my upcoming enlistment. Wishing a successful and easy draft to all of my friends over the next week or so!
- Darren
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