Between Waves and Uniforms: A New Generation Sets Sail for the Navy

The August sun is blazing over the induction center square in Tel HaShomer, but among the group of young people gathering near the buses, the atmosphere feels a bit cooler. This is the Navy's induction day, and the color of the future uniform is already painting the conversations in white and blue. Between the packed bags and the last hugs from parents, one can identify the familiar mixture of apprehension and anticipation, the kind that characterizes those who are about to trade stable land for a swaying deck.

"My goal is to enjoy the army. I want to reach as high as possible, aiming for 'Snapir' (port security unit)," says Alon Zar, one of the recruits. "I am aiming for good, pleasant, easy service. That there should really be a family atmosphere among the guys." He dismisses the concerns about the draft, saying: "There is nothing to fear." Oz Noam Khalif, another recruit that day, admits: "I want to go to the 'Dvorim' (patrol boats). My goal in the IDF in general is to enjoy, meet friends and good people, and do my part."

"The Navy is a world with its own rules. It is a special branch, they have their own language," explains Dani. "'Killer', 'Plat' — do you know what that is? When the sea is high, there is one who is a 'killer', one who holds up in the sea, and one who is a 'plat' — sprawled on the floor attached to a bucket."

"We always wanted the Navy," says Jackie Gungardi, Le-Nir's father. "My daughter pushed him there, and she did it properly." Le-Nir added: "I will be a naval combatant. There was a tryout and I passed it. Dad is very proud."

"I see this generation that is enlisting, it comes with crazy values, caring, and above all, Zionism," says Jackie, Le-Nir's father. Regarding the recruitment of women to combat roles in the Navy, the father says: "The girls have proven themselves much more than the men sometimes. It changes the whole atmosphere on the ship."

"You were in Cyprus with a jet ski, and I was the manager of the Shipping Authority, I was very angry at you," says Aryeh Rona, grandfather of one of the recruits, to Dani. "But they told me I had no authority to stop you."

"Did you take me to dive at 'Kidon'?" Dani reminds him. "True, I remember that article. I was the commander of 'Kidon', then you took a dive there once."

"I will be a General Grandmother"

"Why the Navy? It's a simple question," says Eti Levi, mother of four sons. "I am excited. My first one who is going after a tryout came home 'poisoned' (highly motivated). He knows how important it is in the reality we live in today. May God protect him and everyone else — in the air, at sea, and on land."

"It's not simple. He grew up in my house," says Tikva Atar, grandmother of one of the recruits, "and suddenly he is in uniform. From today he will be in uniform, it is very stressful and exciting. I would like to come to his ship to be with him and prepare food for him there. Like there was once 'Imi HaGeneralit' ('My Mother the General') with Gila Almagor — I am a General Grandmother."