Navy ship officer (Hovel track)חובלים
What the Navy ship officer (Hovel track) role asks for, and what it holds
Hovel is the Israeli Navy's officer course that trains cadets to serve as officers on Navy ships.
CombatNavyProfile 82+Men and womenDark blue
The role asks for a medical profile of 82 and up, a Dapar of 60 and up and a Hebrew score of 5 and up.
The medical profile runs from 21 to 97.
The Dapar, the reasoning test of the first call-up, is scored from 10 to 90.
The Hebrew score runs from 1 to 9.
- Kind of role
- Combat
- Branch
- Navy
- Open to
- Men and women
- Medical profile
- 82 and up
- Dapar
- 60 and up
- Hebrew score
- 5 and up
- Try-out
- Not needed
- Training place
- the Navy training base
The IDF's page also names a lowest score in 8 traits.
The IDF's page lists these traits among the role's requirements, each with the minimum score the role asks for.
- Command4
- Operating systems3
- Effort and persistence2
- Flexible thinking2
- Handling information2
- Maturity2
- Self-control2
- Teamwork2
This is what the work of the role holds.
Graduates serve as officers on Navy ships and lead the force's operational and technological work. The role covers guarding Israel's coasts and operations deep in enemy territory, together with command.
The cadets, called Hovel cadets, learn to command teams, run complex systems in real time and handle emergencies under pressure, at sea and on land.
This is how the IDF's page sets out the way into the role.
- 1Passing the commando units' selection day with a result that sends the candidate on to Hovel or submarine selection.
- 2Online screening with a result that sends the candidate on to Hovel or submarine selection.
- 3Passing the Hovel selection camp, which lasts 5 days in Atlit.
- 4A security check and medical tests at the Institute of Naval Medicine.
- 5Signing on for 5 years of career service.
This is how the training for the role runs.
The course at the Navy training base lasts about two and a half years and combines academic studies, combat military training and professional training on the combat, navigation, operation and command systems of Navy vessels, in 3 tracks: seamanship, electronics and engineering. It ends with the rank of lieutenant, a bachelor's degree and the Hovel pin.
Where it trainsthe Navy training base
This is what service in the role looks like.
Graduates serve at bases across the country and commit to 5 years of career service.
The role also asks for a few more things.
- No disqualifying medical sections.
- Candidates who come through the Navy's Tzad Yam program start the selection at the second step.
- There are additional threshold conditions.
After the role, the IDF's page names these paths.
- A bachelor's degree from the University of Haifa in political science, business administration or information systems management.
- Command skills, training and experience useful in civilian life.
- A Mashit 30 sailing license.
The Navy ship officer (Hovel track) role belongs to these units in the guide.
More roles to read about in the same branch.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Navy ship officer (Hovel track) role ask for?
The role asks for a medical profile of 82 and up, a Dapar of 60 and up and a Hebrew score of 5 and up.
Who can serve as Navy ship officer (Hovel track)?
The role is open to men and women.
Is there a try-out for Navy ship officer (Hovel track)?
The IDF's page sets out the selection this way. Passing the commando units' selection day with a result that sends the candidate on to Hovel or submarine selection. Online screening with a result that sends the candidate on to Hovel or submarine selection. Passing the Hovel selection camp, which lasts 5 days in Atlit. A security check and medical tests at the Institute of Naval Medicine. Signing on for 5 years of career service.
What does the training for Navy ship officer (Hovel track) hold?
The course at the Navy training base lasts about two and a half years and combines academic studies, combat military training and professional training on the combat, navigation, operation and command systems of Navy vessels, in 3 tracks: seamanship, electronics and engineering. It ends with the rank of lieutenant, a bachelor's degree and the Hovel pin.
This page was written from the IDF's pages for future soldiers, read on 6 November 2026.
- The role's page on the IDF's site: Navy ship officer (Hovel track)
The requirements and screenings change from time to time, and the IDF's page for each role is the one that counts.