When you enlist in the Mahal program, you will be tested on your Hebrew language proficiency during your military process (Tsav rishon- First call-up, etc.).
If your Hebrew level is sufficiently high, you will be able to enlist directly into a military role without requiring a preliminary Hebrew course - this is considered "general IDF enlistment," and only the IDF decides your level of Hebrew- Mahal does not have such authority. If your Hebrew is at a lower level, you will need to attend an intensive Hebrew language program (Ulpan) combined with basic training (which is already military service), in a military base called: Michve Alon.
You will be assigned to your military role after completing both basic training and reaching the required Hebrew proficiency level.
We strongly recommend in every possible way - to work on your Hebrew and build a foundation before arriving in Israel.
Hebrew Course
From there you will be assigned to your unit for the remaining 15 months of service. (For both men and women). During your training in Michve Alon- you might be able to try out for special units (sayarot). However, this is not guaranteed, and depends n the dates in which the army sets to have tryouts. These are once in a year days and not every cycle gets to have Yom Sayarot (tryouts). The dates of the tryouts are in January and in October.
General recruitment and field units
this enlistment path is intended for participants with a high proficiency in Hebrew. In this path, you will enlist directly into the unit you are assigned to before your draft during the pre-army program by the IDF for 18 months of service. (For both men and women). Yom Sayarot and special units tryouts for General recruitment and field units are uncertain, and the tryouts for sayarot are only for August-December drafts. If you did go to tryouts and had gotten accepted to a specific position- you might need to delay your draft to be drafted to this position.
Clarification regarding the 18-month (year and a half) service track -
Mahal offers shortened service only if you are eligible! If you are accepted to a special role / pass tryouts for a special unit, you will be required to sign up for full service. If you wish to attend an officers' or commanders' course, you will be asked to extend your military service time.
Eligibility for the 18-month service track depends on the amount of time you spent in Israel before enlistment, whether you were in a framework recognized by the military or not, and the examination for eligibility for the year and and-a-half service is conducted only during your application process to the program.
Eligability for 18 months service for Bnei Mehagrim-
Have not spent over 4 months in a calendar year in Israel since the age of 10-
Can still be eligible after no longer than a year in a Masa program (must show program confirmation).
In order to stop the count you must be out of Israel for 61 days.
Eligability for 18 months service for tourists-
Have not spent over a year without a program or a 18 months with a Masa program since the age of 16 (must show program confirmation).
In order to stop the count you must be out of Israel for 61 days.
