The Givati Brigade (Hebrew: חֲטִיבַת גִּבְעָתִי) is an infantry unit under the command of the IDF Southern Command.
History
Nicknamed “Givati Independence” or “No. 5”, the Givati Brigade took a very active part in the War of Independence, they fought South of Tel - Aviv and along the Egyptian border. The division took a major part in the fight against the Egyptians.
The first divisional commander was the legendary Shimon Avidan, taking troops from the Irgun, Palmach and Hagana and built the Givati Brigade.
The division was disbanded in 1956 when as it seemed that it was no longer needed, and became a reserve brigade that fought in all of Israel's wars, The Six Day War, Yom Kippur and the First Lebanon war.
After the First Lebanon War, one of the lessons The IDF learned was to establish a new Infantry division which led to the rebuilding of the Givati Brigade in 1983.
The first commander of the brigade was Colonel Yehuda Duvdevani, by the way his family chose the color purple for the brigades beret out of a variety of other colors. The Brigade was awarded a medal of honor for its service in the Gaza Strip during the last two years of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in which they carried out thousands of operations in the Gaza Strip.
They also participated in the ground phase of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. Of the IDF brigades, Givati penetrated the deepest into Gaza City. The brigade's reconnaissance battalion entered the Tel el-Hawa neighborhood in search of Hamas operatives two days before the cease fire went into effect. An estimated 40 Palestinian gunmen were killed as dozens of apartments were swept. Hamas reportedly decided to fire the commander of the Gaza City Brigade after its forces fought against Givati.
The Givati Brigade consists of 4 Battalions
Shaked (Almond) Battalion
Shaked was the first battalion that was established after the re-establishment of the division. The symbol of the battalion is wings, which symbolizes the legendary “Shaked” battalion and protecting Israel.
Tzabar (cactus) Battalion
Tzabar is the second battalion that was established. The symbol of the battalion is the sabra bushes and symbolizes those born in Israel. (Rough on the outside, soft in the inside)
Rotem (Furze) Battalion
Rotem is the third battalion that was established only in 1984. The symbol is the rotem bush, a desert bush which succeeds to grow in such difficult terrain as the dessert.
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 Companyor “Orev”), the Palhan i.e. Plugat Handasah (Engineering and Explosives Company) and the Palchik i.e. Plugat Kishur (special radio communications). 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.
Shualey Shimshon (Samsons Foxes) “Palsar”
Reconnaissance company
Dikla (palm) “ Orev/ Palnat”
Anti – tank missile company
Dolev (pane tree) “Palchan”
Bomb explosives company
Maor (source of light) “Palchik”
Signal radio company
Acceptance to GIvati
There is no “gibush” tryout for the regular Givati Brigade. Acceptance is determined by availability and request.
Medical Profile Required
Combat Profile required (82 and over)
Length of service required for Machal
18 months, Special forces 2.8 years
Track
A few days after arrival to the division's training base, one can tryout for the special forces of Givati.
Basic training includes 4 months of basic training class 05 rifleman and two months of advanced training class 07 riflemen. Basic training focuses on the principles and foundations of the rifleman with unique emphasis on individual training.Basic training takes place at the Givati training center located in the South. 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 classes Advanced 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 IAF are 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 purple 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
Lebanon Border, Hebron, Gaza.
Weopon
IMI Tavor TAR-21
Motto
"With me to Givati", "Any Place, Any Time, Any Mission"
Theme Song
"Mi She-Halam Givati" ("Those who dreamt Givati")
Flag
Purple and white flag
Insignia
Fox
Uniform
Purple Beret, Black boots, Givati Tag and Pin.