Your Service in the Israel Defense Forces

IDF Mahal program (short = min. 14 or 18 months):

• Free IDF Hebrew Studies/Ulpan (applicable only if Lishkat HaGiyus finds your command of Hebrew to be insufficient): 3 months; includes about 3 weeks of IDF Pre-Basic Training in the beginning.
• IDF units/jobs when eligible for IDF enlistment - here
• IDF Pre-Basic Training (Trom Tironut, for men only): about 3 weeks preparation for the IDF including sport, military discipline, arms training, first aid, ABC defense etc.
• IDF Basic Training (Tironut):
  4 1/2 months
  (or about 3 weeks , if non-combat job); arms training, first aid, close combat, self defense, navigation, camouflage, ABC defense etc.
• Active IDF Service until discharge.
  
• You can opt at any stage for longer active IDF service, but the best is to do it right at the outset.

IDF Mahal long:

• more units available depending on various issues such as longer service with longer training options.
• IDF units/jobs when eligible for IDF enlistment - here
  

Path for Israeli citizens residing overseas:

• similar to IDF Mahal short
• depending on various issues such as lenghts of service
• IDF units/jobs when eligible for IDF enlistment - here