Just before they joined the Air Force helicopter unit, Lt. NA and Lt. NR spoke in a conversation with Walla! About the difficulties in the course, about an exercise that imagined escaping from enemy territory.

"We learn a lot about getting a job done and doing it, and being able to disconnect from emotional things and stress. That's a big part of our training. I'll know in the moment of truth if I'm successful or not. That's what we strive to get. "We are here. For the three years, you have been working hard. And it is clear to you that in the end, the endpoint is to protect the country and to protect our people."

For Lieutenant NR, the 21-year-old from Raanana whose mother is a lawyer and her father is a Google programmer, it would have looked different. She decided to attend an Air Force women's conference, following a proposal from a friend and the dialogue with the squadrons changed her thoughts about the difficult screenings and the grueling course. Something in the competition drew her into the track, and despite the difficulties, there was not a single moment that she thought of giving up and giving up. 

Image source: IDF Spokeperson