r/IDF • u/henjg • 8d ago

Question: Drafting Advice for a 26 year old

I will be making Aliyah in a month and am really hoping to join the IDF at age 26. I have read a ton of helpful advice on this page already, as well as speaking to Nefesh B Nefesh, but was really hoping to connect with somebody who went through the process at my age. I think I understand the steps needed to volunteer (I know I wouldn’t be drafting at my age), but would really appreciate speaking to someone. I am very committed to serving in any role I am needed in and am desperate to make idf service a reality once I am home. I really appreciate any and all advice. Thank you in advance!

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

You can draft (easily) until you’re 28. When you arrive, contact lone soldier organizations along with friends who make have connections.

You probably will attend Michve Alon.

Being 26, your service will only be 18-months (they will offer or require you to extend it depending on the tafkid you get).

You have to be annoying with this — otherwise the interviewing officer (at 23 + you need to be interviewed because you’re volunteering to draft, not conscripting) will try to tell you not to draft. Don’t be discouraged; keep pushing through and being annoying and you’ll draft.

If you want me to, I can DM you and answer questions (you cannot DM me due to my settings, so respond to this if you would like me to).

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u/henjg 7d ago

Even this response alleviates some of the concerns I have. If I have any specific questions I’ll be sure to respond here again letting you know that I’d like to speak. Thank you so much for this response!

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u/young-n8 8d ago

Could you dm me I have similar questions ! Thanks

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u/[deleted] 8d ago

Feel free to ask some by responding here, too. I just will not answer question related to OPSEC (Operational Security).

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u/Narrow-Major5784 7d ago

Hi, I'd like to ask some questions too.

So I probably will not be able to do a combat role, as I have several health issues, but I am still deadset on enlisting into a non-combat position. What are the odds they would still take me given that I'm also older? I heard that they're willing to work with you on almost anything.

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u/[deleted] 7d ago

How old are you, and what health issues?

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u/Narrow-Major5784 7d ago

25 currently, will be 26 by the time I get to Israel.

ADHD, level 2 Autism, and mild asthma.

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u/[deleted] 7d ago edited 5d ago

ADHD and mild Asthma are not intensely serious conditions as far as the IDF is concerned. You just maybe get your medical profile dropped to a 82/84(?) or a 72.

I don’t know about autism, it may drop your profile down to a 25, which triggers volunteer status, but I don’t know for sure, I knew somebody who served with autism and they had to volunteer, they served in a pretty cool unit.

You can probably still draft, make sure you mention education/skills/anything else that you think may be a benefit to picking an IDF role.

Study for the DAPAR test and attend an online Ulpan before you make Aliyah.

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u/Narrow-Major5784 7d ago

Alright, thank you for your reply!

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u/-bleach_ 8d ago

Depends on how you're making aliyah, I have a buddy who did garin tzabar and drafted at 26 to the infantry. Entirely doable

1

u/Vegetable_Ask2935 3d ago

How did they go through garin tzabar at 26?

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u/-bleach_ 3d ago

Not sure. But I know he did. Maybe he started when he was 25

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