But did you know that some of the course graduates continued their service in combat units? 

Just after completing 3 years in one of the most intensive trainings, we met the graduates of the class who embarked on a path of warfare, and heard how the integration of the worlds manifested itself - in the heart of the battlefield.

At the end of 3 years of intensive training, last night the 56 new graduates of the 'Talpiot' program stood on the ceremonial stage in Jerusalem. Some of them had only left the Gaza Strip a few days before, where they fought and saw up close how the developments of their unit help in the intensification activity - and already started thinking about the next idea for the battlefield.

During the training, they went through combat training, an officer's course and even completed a bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics and computer science at the Hebrew University - and now they are assigned to key positions in the research and development units. 

But alongside these options, they were also given one more - to continue in an operational combat role.

Among those who chose to enter the fighting units were Deputy A and Deputy E. 

"The combat service allows us to understand the challenges that each fighter faces, and this understanding is relevant to the technological positions we will man in the future," explains Lt. A, a recent graduate of the program and a fighter in training in a paratrooper patrol.

"I realized that I wanted to join a combat unit at a relatively early stage," he testifies, "the fact that the program encourages a combination of warfare and technology was one of the reasons that made me want to join it in the first place. It was not a momentary decision, the deployment process is long and in-depth, but it allows you to understand what is appropriate to everyone, and to be sure that we arrive at the right place for us."

In the current cycle, several records were recorded. The number of graduates was the highest since the beginning of the program, as was the percentage of women. The number of people going to the combat units was also higher than ever, but not for everyone this decision was clear from the beginning.

"When we first arrived, I was less interested in the operational world," admits Lt. E., a fighter and a graduate of the program.

And really, when the war broke out, they were at the peak of training in the units with the beginning of the ground maneuver, they themselves joined the fighting in the Gaza Strip. 

"I arrived with the team in Khan Yunis, we carried out raids in the area, we located a military base and extended the line of contact," declares Lt. A with a smile, "I learned a lot from this period. At the technological level, this is an experience that I have no words to describe."

"When you are in combat and encounter a difficulty or a challenge, you see straight away the problems and gaps that technology can solve," he explains, "I already have ideas for developments that I want to work on when I return to the technological positions in a few years, and I wouldn't think that this need exists at all if I wasn't I am in the field and fighting myself. I came out of the battle with clear conclusions about ways in which it is possible to further optimize the use of military equipment and save resources."

The cooperation between the various forces in the field - infantry, engineering, the air force and armor - was also not new for them, following the tours they went on during the training. "Each of the graduates here drove a tank, fired a cannon and experienced various combat skills," boasts Lt. ', "It really helped me in fighting, both on a practical level and on a personal level. I could understand the tasks of the teams that fight shoulder to shoulder with me."

But in the end, starting a war path after 3 years in the IDF is not a simple thing. "Obviously, in the beginning there was a market," clarifies First Lieutenant, "to return to a completely different stage in the military service, to give up the independence we had and do what is defined for us. But in the team I feel like one of the guys, they welcomed me with open arms as soon as I arrived."

"So yes, sometimes they call me 'officer' or 'yellow', and they almost faint when I say that I signed for 6 years - but that's all the fun," he adds, "even though we have different services, we really are friends for everything. We trust each other One hundred percent."

"I don't know what my path will look like in the future," shares Lieutenant E., "It is important for me to stay for a certain period of time as a fighter in the unit and after that to integrate into the role of an officer in the unit or move to a technological position that will be connected to operational activities. We will finish a path, serve as fighters in the unit and from there we will see where we continue After all, I have another six years," he laughs, "that's enough time for all the roles."