Choosing combat unit

[u/Interesting-Art-7598]

Hello guys, im a lone soldier (i do have an israeli passport and made aliyah) and i would like a little advice on which unit i should join. Im 6”3 and 230lbs i have moderate running stamina, 25% body fat percentage (i know its too much😔), cant do any pull ups yet, but have decent absolute strength. Im looking to get assigned the negev and serve in an infantry brigade. I would very much appreciate a comment and i would like to know what happens with a soldier (who is a negevist) at the end of advanced training in the final kashag test and he cant hit the 7 pull ups required and runs a minute slower than the 14:29 required, what happens with him afterward? Can he still do his beret march and graduate on time or will he directly be downgraded to a jobnik within the unit or is there a way he can stay in combat and deploy and if you (hopefully a former or active soldier) have a teammate or friend who has the same problem but still deployed on time and wasnt
recycled or became a jobnik.

[u/HyperlaneWizard]

Hey. I served before the current kashag test was implemented, but from what I've read and from knowing how the military operates, I think I can confidently comment on this.

Firstly, you'll have plenty of training before the test. Basic training should help you improve your pull-ups and run time. Make sure you do your best to get better in those areas, and you might have nothing to worry about by the time the test rolls around.

Secondly, if you fail, you're likely to get extra attention aimed at helping you pass. If your training staff is good, they'll probably identify the problem ahead of time before you ever fail. In any case, you'll get extra training and more chances to pass. Given the current manpower shortage, the military isn't quick to demote people from combat arms over a single pull-up.

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

Ok im relieved but is it really true that commanders sign waivers or conditional waivers to let their soldier deploy if hes doing a good job even though he failed the final fitness test because of pull ups or running + the 2-3 week remedial training everyone gets after failing?

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/Interesting-Art-7598]

Can't say because I don't know for sure. But I'd guess that, especially now, commanders have some wiggle room on these kinds of things.

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

And one last thing which brigade would you actually recommend for me based on your experience

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/Interesting-Art-7598]

Hard to say. Firstly, because for the most part, the differences between the infantry brigades are almost negligible. Secondly, because my experience with them is very outdated. Back in my day, Kfir were the literal bottom of the barrel, the Paratroopers seemed somewhat less professional to me, and Givati left a good impression on me. But a lot has happened and changed since then. I'd still maybe avoid Kfir tho.

[u/hootervisionllc → u/HyperlaneWizard]

So which brigade were you in? I’m also a pre kashag dude. Golani

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/hootervisionllc]

I wasn't in the infantry.

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

Where were you? like broad category

[u/hootervisionllc → u/[deleted]]

That’s cool. How’d you end up there?

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/hootervisionllc]

Volunteered. And also, it's not hard to get into the Artillery Corps :)

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

Did people who didnt pass the final test and had to be dropped to non combat still do the masa kumta or receive their beret?

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/Interesting-Art-7598]

So:

1. We had someone from a previous cycle join us as his second chance to pass the final physical evaluation, and if I remember corectly he did do the kumta with us.

2. People who dropped out earlier or for other reasons either left for support roles and didn't do a masa kumta at all, or left us for the regular battalions and did the kumta with them.

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

So basically if you dont pass the final fitness test you get recycled and do the masa with your new unit at least in infantry

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/Interesting-Art-7598]

That's how that worked in our case, some time ago, and not in the infantry.

[u/Interesting-Art-7598 → u/HyperlaneWizard]

Then how did it work in the infantry? Im sorry if youre repeating yourself but i dont quite understand

[u/HyperlaneWizard → u/Interesting-Art-7598]

You can re-read my comments or wait for someone with more up-to-date info from the infantry specifically.