now that you've passed the gibush and sayeret training....

[joejd12]

now that you've passed the gibush and sayeret training, how would you tell someon like me, whos 16 years old and looking to serve in the idf (and preferably in one of the sayeret) to prepare physically so my chances of completing the gibush and training improves?

and do i have to be a good swimmer to get into sayeret golani for example? or is that only for s'13?

[Boges]

Not trying to be mean or offensive, but use the search option. This question has been asked numerous times.

[joejd12]

i read every post in this section but mostly all ive foundwere discussions on the first test, im asking for things that i shoudl be prepared for throughout the training period (so if i do make it past the gibush i complete the training) like forced marches etc.

i was hoping for more specific things (though i recognize theres a limit to how descriptive about the training you can be)....


and how good were the other people at the gibush?

[Stan187]

I'm not sure exactly what part of this you do not get? We cannot discuss the specifics of the gibushim here. Look at what American special forces do, and what they have to do to qualify. Its likely that the standards are similar.

[rafi]

Joe,

Obviously there is a great reluctance for us to share details about the program.

Regarding the level of the people, I think a great analogy for getting into a Sayeret is the competition to get into Ivy League schools in America.

This year Yale had 2,400 applicants who got perfect scores on their SATs and 2100 who were number one in their class. Obviously, the competition changes for people when they are competing with all the number 1s in the world.

Competing to get into a Sayeret is the same. Legacies (children or siblings of those who served before) are at the front of the line in insider knowledge and what to look for. Next comes all the number 1s and number 2s from all the High Schools in Israel. They are fluent in the language and culture and were most likely at the top of their class.

The ability to bench press cows, run forty mile and swim like a fish are merely checkoffs that you too, like everyone else can do them.

We want you succeed, but the reality is, the competition is fierce.
You are going to have to be satisfied with this answer. I do not think Google and 1000 hours on line are going to give you much better answers than you can get here.

[joejd12]

I do not think Google and 1000 hours on line are going to give you much better answers than you can get here.

you got that right, i haven't been able to find much more than bits and pieces (small ones) and ahve researched this for quite a long time now....

the only site where i may have been able to find more information is isayeret, but that site costs 5$ a month so i tried to get all the information i could for free before i actually paid for it....

i guess its a good testament to the people who go into the sayerets and the whole sayeret organization that they've managed to keep thoe whole thing under wraps for this long....

just one last (dont hold me to this) question, i think rafi once mentioned something about an IQ test, so is there an IQ test as part of the screening process, and if there is, what score do i need to pass it?

[rafi]

just one last (dont hold me to this) question, i think rafi once mentioned something about an IQ test, so is there an IQ test as part of the screening process, and if there is, what score do i need to pass it?

As with many armies, those of us who were lucky enough to serve in special units generally don't talk about them much. The guy who talks about being first up the Hermon or in Entebbe, usually walks off silently after a few pointed questions. Some of the things we did were in fact secret, and some we just never speak about. To this day my most dreaded question continues to be, "Did you shoot anyone?"

But, on a lighter note:

If there was a tough IQ test, there wouldn't be many officers.

Actually, what I spoke about was a psychological interview, then an interview to determine what you might be interested in doing in the army.

I have served with soldiers who had a fourth grade education, and I have served with PHDs. Intelligence isn't alway an indicator.

But there is nothing to worry about with these screenings and interviews. Remember, you are there because you want to be there, believe in being there and are there to serve and succeed. I'm certain you will.

[Boges]

Hey Rafi,

"Did you shoot anybody?"

[joejd12]

yes that question seems to be a very common one, i always thought it was kind of intrusive.....

and thank you once again for all the help....

[rafi]

Hey Rafi,

"Did you shoot anybody?"

On which side?

[Boges]

Hey Rafi,

"Did you shoot anybody?"

On which side?

I guess it doesn't make much difference either way. I mean, I doubt you ever hit anything you were aiming at...

[Dan from Boston]

www.professionalsoldiers.com is a website for US Army Special Forces soldiers. Their forum also has a lot of information about people interested in going to Selection and/or going through the Q-Course. Their preparation information on forced marches is pretty good. I would only suggest that you visit their forum to READ and not to POST because if you post questions like these there, they will ban you. They've very strict about their rules and don't like the same questions being asked over and over again.

[Boges]

Heh, yeah, they're pretty **** about that (not that I'm criticizing, I actually like that). I've looked through a bunch of their topics, and they have a lot of good information there.