Opening Day - Basic Training Part 1

Interesting morning. I found out that I am not in shlav gimmel (tier 3.) Apparently the government phased out shlav gimmel this past summer and now I am in shlav bet (tier 2.)

In the morning I met up with a bunch of other people as Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. All the guys there were given a brief induction and taken into an absorption base near Tel Aviv, where the army took down our information, gave us any necessary vaccinations, and gave us our uniforms. (These uniforms are the nice one people wear to special occasions and in public –called Madei Alef.)

That afternoon we were taken up to Michve’ Alon, our current base. We were divided into units and met with our commanders. Our commanders are all a bunch of bossy 19 year old girls. We started learning basic formations and tasks and eventually we were driven to out limits.

My unit was mostly Russian. There was one Canadian guy who speaks English.

The food is okay, but the dining room is cramped and kind of dirty. The army does not give out napkins of any sort at meals. There are Menorahs and time to light Chanukah candles during dinner.

The housing is disgusting. I live in a room with bunk beds against every inch or wall; there is no place to put anything. If you have anything, you have to put it on or under your bed (and share that limited space under the bed with the guy who sleeps in the bed above you.)

There is only one hour at night to relax, talk on the phone, shower and prepare stuff for the next day. It is nearly impossible to choose to do all of these activities every day,