Oketz combat soldierלוחם עוקץ

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

An Oketz combat soldier serves in a unit that operates dogs alongside commando fighters on special missions in routine times and in emergencies.

CombatMen and womenTry-outRed

The role's page on the IDF's site

The IDF names no profile or score for the role.

Kind of role: Combat
Open to: Men and women
Try-out: For men
Training place: the Paratroopers training base

This is what the work of the role holds.

Oketz operates dogs together with commando fighters on special missions. The unit works both alongside other special units and on its own.

In the advanced stage, each soldier trains as a commando fighter working with a dog. The soldier keeps the dog for the rest of the service.

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

1In the year before the last year of high school, the candidate marks a strong wish to join the unit in the preferences questionnaire.
2In the last year of high school, a physical screening takes place in March and April, on 2 possible dates.
3Placement is made through pre-military search under the reconnaissance units model, in 2 ways.
4One way is an interview week for eligible candidates who completed but did not pass the pilot, Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13 or naval officers and submarines selection, only in screening window A with selections from January to April. The December interview week holds no Oketz interviews.
5The other way is the Oketz selection, open to those who attended an exposure day.

This is how the training for the role runs.

Training starts with about 3 months of basic training at the Paratroopers training base, then a commando series and unit basic training, and stage A with counterterrorism, parachuting, rifle and pistol shooting, thicket and camouflage, underground warfare, built-up and open areas, and navigation. After about 8 months the soldiers receive their dogs and begin about 8 more months of specialized training, for 16-18 months in all.

Where it trainsthe Paratroopers training base

This is what service in the role looks like.

The unit is based at Mitkan Adam, and the role serves at bases across the country. Enlistment takes place once a year, in December only, and soldiers must sign on for a year of career service.

The role also asks for a few more things.

Men must go through screening.
After acceptance, the soldier cannot give up the role.
Soldiers must sign on for a year of career service.

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

OketzעוקץThe canine unit: its fighters go into action with trained dogs alongside commando forces.Profile 82+16 to 18 monthsMen and womenRed

Frequently asked questions

What does the Oketz combat soldier role ask for?

The IDF names no profile or score for the role.

Who can serve as Oketz combat soldier?

The role is open to men and women.

Is there a try-out for Oketz combat soldier?

Yes, for men. The IDF's page sets out the selection this way. In the year before the last year of high school, the candidate marks a strong wish to join the unit in the preferences questionnaire. In the last year of high school, a physical screening takes place in March and April, on 2 possible dates. Placement is made through pre-military search under the reconnaissance units model, in 2 ways. One way is an interview week for eligible candidates who completed but did not pass the pilot, Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13 or naval officers and submarines selection, only in screening window A with selections from January to April. The December interview week holds no Oketz interviews. The other way is the Oketz selection, open to those who attended an exposure day.