Shaldagשלדג
How to get into Shaldag, and what its training looks like
The Air Force's commando unit, based at Palmachim. Its fighters train for a year and 7 months.
Profile 82+about 19 monthsMenDark grey
Shaldag asks for a medical profile of 82 and up, a Dapar of 50 and up and a Hebrew score of 7.
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.
- Open to
- Men
- Medical profile
- 82 and up
- Dapar
- 50 and up
- Hebrew score
- 7
- Body mass index
- 18 to 32
- Training
- about 19 months
- Where it serves
- Palmachim Air Force base, on the coast south of Rishon LeZion.
- Commitment
- 18 months of career service beyond the three years of compulsory service.
Shaldag works deep behind the lines in close touch with the Air Force. Its fighters begin with basic training to the level the IDF calls Rifleman 04 and then go through the unit's professional course.
The way in is the physical screening of Yom Sayarot: a candidate needs the Shaldag result there to be called to the unit's try-out.
The way into Shaldag runs through 3 steps.
- 1Yom Sayarot, with the Shaldag result.
- 2The unit's try-out.
- 3Medical and security checks, then the draft.
Training at Shaldag lasts about 19 months.
- Basic training to Rifleman 04, then the professional course
The IDF's guides say what to train for before the screening.
The IDF's guide to Yom Sayarot says to start training at least three months before it, with 3 to 5 aerobic sessions and 2 to 3 strength sessions a week, and to keep hard training out of the week before it.
- AerobicSun
- StrengthMon
- AerobicTue
- StrengthWed
- AerobicThu
- RestFri
- RestSat
An example week at the lowest the IDF's guide suggests: 3 aerobic sessions and 2 of strength, the kind changing from day to day.
The full guide to preparing: profile, Dapar, Yom Sayarot and a training routine
The role has its own page on the IDF's site for future soldiers.
- Shaldag Unit combat soldierAir Force
Units to read about alongside Shaldag.
Unit 669יחידה 669The Air Force's combat search and rescue unit. It brings out the wounded under fire and behind enemy lines, at sea, in the air and on land.Profile 97+about 18 monthsMenDark grey
Sayeret Matkalסיירת מטכ״לThe General Staff's reconnaissance unit. Its missions are classified, it takes one draft a year and its fighters train for 16 months.Profile 97+about 16 monthsMenOlive green
EgozאגוזOne of the three units of the Commando Brigade, built for small-unit warfare in every sector and in the north above all.Profile 82+about 16 monthsMenRed
Frequently asked questions
What does Shaldag ask for?
The IDF's page asks for a profile of 82 and up, a Dapar of 50 and up, a Hebrew score of 7 and a body mass index between 18 and 32.
How do you get into Shaldag?
Yom Sayarot, with the Shaldag result. The unit's try-out. Medical and security checks, then the draft.
How long is training at Shaldag?
About 19 months: Basic training to Rifleman 04, then the professional course.
Can women serve in Shaldag?
The IDF's page names men only. Women fighters can choose other units, and the IDF commits to give a woman fighter one of her first three choices.
This page was written from the IDF's pages for future soldiers, read on 6 November 2026.
- The IDF's page for the role: Shaldag Unit combat soldier
- The IDF's full guide to Yom Sayarot
- Preparing the body for Yom Sayarot
- Try-outs
- The medical profile
The requirements and screenings change from time to time, and the IDF's page for each role is the one that counts.
Photo credits
- Amit Agronov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Oren Rozen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Israel Defense Forces, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons