Tironut
Encyclopedia
Tironut is the Hebrew name for the recruit training
of the Israel Defense Forces
(IDF). In the IDF, recruit training comes in many difficulty levels, each corps or major unit having their own training program. After the tironut, a recruit is certified as a rifleman of a level that depends on the training program - starting with Rifleman 01 and up. Rifleman 01 is mostly reserved for disabled recruits, such as the deaf, while regular training ranges from Rifleman 02 and up.
All non-combat recruits are certified with Rifleman 02, while combat recruits must at least complete the Rifleman 03 basic training. Generally, infantry-specific training ranges from Rifleman 05 (combat engineering) to Rifleman 07 (infantry and combat engineers sapper
s, upon completion of advanced infantry training), whereas armored or artillery corps complete Rifleman 03 training. Elite units such as Sayeret Matkal
do not complete a standard basic training course for a rifleman certification and have their own extended training courses which last over one year.
All recruits in the IDF basic training wear the general all-army olive drab beret and get their corps beret upon completion, in a ceremony where the recruits swear in to the IDF. Infantry units and some others such as military police
swear in at the Western Wall
.
While essentially each rifleman level and each corps training varies greatly, there are some commonalities between the entire army. All soldiers are issued weapons after their integration days and must carry them until the end of the basic training course. Many lessons are also common for all corps, such as moreshet krav (literally "battle heritage"), where soldiers are taught about past IDF operations.
Physical and verbal aggression are not permitted in the IDF basic training, which leaves drill instructors with a limited number of ways to hand out punishments. Physical punishments such as push-ups and running are common ways to punish for several discipline issues. Another method of punishment is giving detention - keeping a soldier several more days in the training base instead of visiting home; or simply delaying the visit home by a few hours. Combat units also see more group punishments, where if one soldier makes a mistake, the entire platoon suffers; although non-combat units also sometimes see this punishment. Training soldiers may avoid certain tasks or punishments with proper documents from doctors and specialists, if they see fit that the process would harm their health condition.
At the end of each basic training program, recruits swear in to the IDF and receive their corps berets, after which they go to their respective professional training courses. In most units, there is a ceremony called distance-breaking, which involves the commanders telling the recruits their names, after which they are no longer these specific recruits' commanders and may call them by their first names only. In most combat units, distance-breaking is done after the professional course.
For weapons, theoretical and practical knowledge is typically required - theoretical being the knowledge of how the gun works, the names of its parts, etc. Practical is the ability to take apart the weapon, load it, fix jams, etc. Recruits are also required to be able to hit targets with most weapons they work with.
Recruit training
Recruit training, more commonly known as Basic Training and colloquially called Boot Camp, is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel, enlisted and officer...
of the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(IDF). In the IDF, recruit training comes in many difficulty levels, each corps or major unit having their own training program. After the tironut, a recruit is certified as a rifleman of a level that depends on the training program - starting with Rifleman 01 and up. Rifleman 01 is mostly reserved for disabled recruits, such as the deaf, while regular training ranges from Rifleman 02 and up.
All non-combat recruits are certified with Rifleman 02, while combat recruits must at least complete the Rifleman 03 basic training. Generally, infantry-specific training ranges from Rifleman 05 (combat engineering) to Rifleman 07 (infantry and combat engineers sapper
Sapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
s, upon completion of advanced infantry training), whereas armored or artillery corps complete Rifleman 03 training. Elite units such as Sayeret Matkal
Sayeret Matkal
Sayeret Matkal is a special forces unit of the Israel Defence Forces , which is subordinated to the intelligence directorate Aman. First and foremost a field intelligence-gathering unit, conducting deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines to obtain strategic intelligence, Sayeret Matkal is also...
do not complete a standard basic training course for a rifleman certification and have their own extended training courses which last over one year.
All recruits in the IDF basic training wear the general all-army olive drab beret and get their corps beret upon completion, in a ceremony where the recruits swear in to the IDF. Infantry units and some others such as military police
Israeli Military Police
The Military Police Corps of the Israel Defense Forces is the Israeli military police and provost. The military police serves the Manpower Directorate during peace time, and the Technological and Logistics Directorate during war....
swear in at the Western Wall
Western Wall
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount...
.
Course of the training
At the beginning of each basic training course, there are several days of 'integration', where drill instructors convert recruits from civilians to soldiers. These are usually considered the most difficult days of any basic training program, even though they are not physically draining. During these days, recruits receive no breaks and the discipline is at its highest level.While essentially each rifleman level and each corps training varies greatly, there are some commonalities between the entire army. All soldiers are issued weapons after their integration days and must carry them until the end of the basic training course. Many lessons are also common for all corps, such as moreshet krav (literally "battle heritage"), where soldiers are taught about past IDF operations.
Physical and verbal aggression are not permitted in the IDF basic training, which leaves drill instructors with a limited number of ways to hand out punishments. Physical punishments such as push-ups and running are common ways to punish for several discipline issues. Another method of punishment is giving detention - keeping a soldier several more days in the training base instead of visiting home; or simply delaying the visit home by a few hours. Combat units also see more group punishments, where if one soldier makes a mistake, the entire platoon suffers; although non-combat units also sometimes see this punishment. Training soldiers may avoid certain tasks or punishments with proper documents from doctors and specialists, if they see fit that the process would harm their health condition.
At the end of each basic training program, recruits swear in to the IDF and receive their corps berets, after which they go to their respective professional training courses. In most units, there is a ceremony called distance-breaking, which involves the commanders telling the recruits their names, after which they are no longer these specific recruits' commanders and may call them by their first names only. In most combat units, distance-breaking is done after the professional course.
Training bases
- All-army (non-combat) - Rifleman 02
- ZikimBahad 4Bahad 4 , commonly known as Batar Zikim is a training base belonging to the Israel Defense Forces.Zikim is located 8 km south of Ashkelon...
(זיקים) - Camp Yehoshu'a (a.k.a. Nitzanim) (ניצנים)
- Camp Dotan (a.k.a. Camp 80) (מחנה 80)
- Zikim
- Soldiers with adaptation problems (Mak'am) - Rifleman 02
- Havat HaShomer (חוות השומר)
- Soldiers with fewer than nine years of education or lack of Hebrew speaking skills - Rifleman 02
- Mikhve Elon (מחוה אלון)
- Military police - Rifleman 02
- Bahad 13
- Ordnance Corps - Rifleman 02
- Bahad 20
- Home Front Command rescue units
- Bahad 16Bahad 16Bahad 16 is a training base belonging to the Israel Defense Forces . Located in the Tzrifin container base, it is the training base and a base of operations for the IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue unit...
- Bahad 16
- Anti Aircraft - Rifleman 03
- Bisnam (ביסנ"מ - acronym of school for AA)
Certification requirements
Each rifleman certification has a number of requirements, although recruit training programs typically include more than what the certification requires. Some programs, such as the Extended Rifleman 02, train recruits for the next Rifleman qualification (in this case, Rifleman 03), but the recruits do not get the higher certificate.For weapons, theoretical and practical knowledge is typically required - theoretical being the knowledge of how the gun works, the names of its parts, etc. Practical is the ability to take apart the weapon, load it, fix jams, etc. Recruits are also required to be able to hit targets with most weapons they work with.
Rifleman 02
- Knowledge of the M16M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
assault rifle (theory and practical) - Ability to hit targets with the M16M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
assault rifle (out of at least fifteen bullets) - Knowledge of the standard IDF communications equipment (theory and practical)
- Knowledge of first aidFirst aidFirst aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
(theory) - Knowledge of how to protect oneself against chemical and biological weapons/hazards (theory and practical)
Rifleman 03
- All Rifleman 02 requirements
- (Back when the Galil was in service) Knowledge of the IMI GalilIMI GalilThe Galil is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior in the late 1960s and produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd of Ramat HaSharon...
assault rifle (theory and practical) - Ability to hit targets with the Galil
- Knowledge of the M240 machine gun "MAG" (theory and practical)
- Knowledge of several types of grenades (theory and practical)
- Knowledge of basic field navigation and survival (theory and practical)
- Single and squad combat maneuvers (practical)
- In Drill sergeant's course ("Kurs Makim"): Ability to teach basic Rifleman 02 subjects and excellent knowledge of Rifleman 03 subjects.