Nahal

Nahal Brigade (Hewbrew: נח"ל‎, stream) is part of the IDF Central Command. Nachal Was the IDF's youngest infantry division (up to the unification of the Kfir regiment). 

History
The brigade was created in 1982 as a consequence of an increased need for infantry manpower in the IDF, a result of the emerging conflict in southern Lebanon. The name Nachal was given to the brigade because the first battalion attached to it, the 50th, was the Nachal Mutznakh (Airborne Nahal) battalion, transferred over from the Paratroopers brigade. The Nachal Mutznach was a reserve battalion of which was instrumental in the Israeli victory in the Battle of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War (1967).

The Divisions name stands for the pioneering youth brigade (Nar Chalutzai Lochem) since originally it was comprised of these youth. Today it is comprised of many different sectors, not just those youth.  

There are 4 battalions in the Nahal regiment (Nahal units are named after types of rock.)
Battalion 50 (chamishim)" Basalt" 

Nachal paratrooper battalion: The battalion began as part of the Paratroopers and moved to the Nahal Brigade - after its establishment. The battalion receives many of its soldiers from farms and kibbutz and moshav members. Its training included skydiving as part of its regular course until recently they omitted skydiving from their training. This battalion has quality personnel, and can be reached without belonging to the farms – 20% of its soldiers continue to be commanders.

Battalion 931 (tesha shalosh echad)" Shaham" Shaham is the second battalion of the Nahal Brigade. 

Battalion 932 (tesha shalosh shteym) "Granite"

The battalion received the Medal of Honor from the Chief of Staff for their work in Operation Defensive Shield

Special Forces battalion: GadSar lit. Gdud Siur (Reconnaissance Battalion)

Soldiers wishing to serve in this elite battalion must pass a three-day gibush which takes place the first week of the unit's basic training. Those that are accepted are reassigned into one of the specialized training programs of the three companies that make up the battalion: the Palsar i.e. Plugat Siur (Reconnaissance Company), which is generally considered to be the most elite company of the Special Forces, the Palnat i.e. Plugat Nun Tet (Anti-Tank Company), and the Palhan i.e. Plugat Handasah (Engineering and Explosives Company). The task of the battalion is to serve as a pathfinder force for the regiment, and to conduct special operations in accordance with each company's unique abilities. In the current low intensity conflict, the companies usually act as counter-terrorist forces, raiding terrorist homes and hideouts. Special Forces do not guard like the regular unit rather only performs missions.

Flint (pulsar nachal)

Reconnaissance Company 

Gazit (Palnat "orev" nachal)

Anti-Tank Company 

Sapphire (Palchan nachal)

Engineer Company

Agate (palchik nachal) 

Signal Company  

Acceptance to Nachal

There is no "Gibush" tryout for the regular Nachal Brigade. Acceptance is determined by availability and request 

Medical Profile 

Combat Profile required (82 and over

Length of service required for Machal 

14 months (Special Forces 2.5 years)

Track 
A few days after arrival to the division's training base, one can tryout for the special forces of Nachal.

Basic training includes 4 months of basic training class 05 rifleman and two months of advanced training class 07 rifleman. Basic training focuses on the principles and foundations of the rifleman with unique emphasis on individual training.Basic training takes place at the Nahal training center located in Arad. The course takes the recruit through marksman classes, basic field navigations training, open space warfare training, helicopter deployment training, special weapons and physical fitness training,krav maga as well as general education classesAdvanced training lasts an additional 3 months and is conducted in the field for the most part. Through 13 weeks of training the recruit goes through close quarters battle training, guerrilla warfare, hummer training, APC training, grenade training and of course parachute training. Throughout training, the recruits begin to take part in some of the regular security tasks around the brigade's bases and throughout Israel's borders. At the end of advanced training the men qualify as class 07 riflemen. At this point of the training long marching exercises are a part of the norm and in advanced training the terrain becomes evermore engaging and challenging. Being an airborne brigade, Joint military exercises between the brigade and the IAFare also held. Close quarter training takes place over a week spent mostly in the field practicing breaching techniques Advanced training ends with a fully equipped 50 - 90 kilometer march after which the graduates are awarded their green berets at a festive ceremony held with the graduate's families and other honored guests. 

After completing advanced training, soldiers join the various battalions to continue training and tour of duty.

Tour of Duty 
Tour of duty includes counter-terror operations, arrests of Palestinian militants, patrols, manning checkpoints and regular security activities.

Area of Tour of Duty
Lebanaon border, Gaza, Hebron

Weopon 

IMI Tavor TAR-21 

Motto 
The Human Advantage

Theme Song 
"Ha-Nachal Kan" (The Nachal is here")  

Flag

Green and White

Insignia

Sword with a sickle and 4 arrows

Uniform
Lime Green Beret, Brown boots, Nachal Tag and Pin.