Air Defense combat soldierלוחם/ת הגנה אווירית (הגנ"א)

What the Air Defense combat soldier role asks for, and what it holds

Air Defense combat soldiers serve in batteries that protect Israel's civilians from aerial threats such as rockets, missiles and fighter jets.

CombatAir ForceProfile 72+MenDark grey

The role's page on the IDF's site

The role asks for a medical profile of 72 and up, a Hebrew score of 6 and up and a body mass index between 17 and 35.

Medical profile72+

214564728297

The medical profile runs from 21 to 97.

Hebrew score6+

13579

The Hebrew score runs from 1 to 9.

Kind of role: Combat
Branch: Air Force
Open to: Men
Medical profile: 72 and up
Hebrew score: 6 and up
Body mass index: 17 to 35
Try-out: Not needed
Training place: the Air Defense School

The IDF's page also names a lowest score in 7 traits.

The IDF's page lists these traits among the role's requirements, each with the minimum score the role asks for.

Technical operation3
Effort and persistence2
Handling information2
Maturity2
Spatial perception2
Sustained attention2
Teamwork2

This is what the work of the role holds.

Air defense batteries are deployed at different sites and work in coordination with Air Force aircraft. Each soldier is placed in a battery according to the defense or weapon system the soldier is assigned to operate.

The systems include Iron Dome for intercepting short-range rockets, Patriot for long-range defense against aircraft and drones, and Arrow for intercepting long-range ballistic missiles. David's Sling intercepts long-range rockets, missiles and cruise missiles.

A detection and warning array identifies rockets and missiles and sets off alerts for the civilian and military home front.

This is how the IDF's page sets out the way into the role.

1Ranking in the preferences questionnaire.
2Women attend a day for women combat soldiers and rank Air Defense in the preferences questionnaire. Men are assigned without selection.
3Assignment to the role.
4Security clearance.
5Enlistment.
6Basic training at level 03.
714 weeks of training at the Air Defense School.
8Service in one of the air defense batteries around the country.

This is how the training for the role runs.

Basic training at level 03, followed by 14 weeks of training at the Air Defense School.

Where it trainsthe Air Defense School

This is what service in the role looks like.

Soldiers serve on one of the weapon systems, such as Iron Dome, David's Sling or tactical, in one of the batteries deployed from north to south, at bases around the country. Women commit to compulsory service equal in length to men's and to active reserve duty.

The role also asks for a few more things.

For men, eligibility also depends on the specific medical clauses of the profile.
Women must pass the screening for women combat soldiers.
A security clearance.

After the role, the IDF's page names these paths.

Command positions.
Officers' course.
For suitable soldiers, an interceptor course in the battery, which gives greater professional authority in the battery.
Medic course.

The Air Defense combat soldier role belongs to these units in the guide.

Air Defenseמערך ההגנה האוויריתThe Air Force's batteries that shoot down rockets, missiles and aircraft, from Iron Dome to David's Sling, from north to south.Profile 72+Men and womenDark grey

Frequently asked questions

What does the Air Defense combat soldier role ask for?

The role asks for a medical profile of 72 and up, a Hebrew score of 6 and up and a body mass index between 17 and 35.

Who can serve as Air Defense combat soldier?

The role is open to men.

Is there a try-out for Air Defense combat soldier?

The IDF's page sets out the selection this way. Ranking in the preferences questionnaire. Women attend a day for women combat soldiers and rank Air Defense in the preferences questionnaire. Men are assigned without selection. Assignment to the role. Security clearance. Enlistment. Basic training at level 03. 14 weeks of training at the Air Defense School. Service in one of the air defense batteries around the country.