Israeli Military Jargon

In order to give the best portrayal of what my life is like in the IDF, I feel it is necessary to write as I speak. Even when talking together, us lone soldiers refer to things in the Hebrew: our Commander is a "Mefaked," my squad is a "kitah," my rifle is a "neshek," and so on.  Ironically, it sounds foreign to me to describe my life in the army and use the English translations of the military terms.  So, in my posts, if I have neglected to provide the translation, I apologize and have included it here.  

This list is pretty comprehensive; I hope it helps all those with a passing interest to those who want to join.  If you have words or anything you want added, let me know via Comments.  Enjoy!

*Note about pronunciation: 'ch' is for the letter ח or כ, thus it is a hard guttural sound, not like 'chat'

chayal boded (חייל בודד)    lone soldier, in short: someone from outside
                                   Israel, who leaves his home and all he knows for
                                   a significant amount of time to join a foreign
                                   army, operate in a foreign language, and live in a
                                   foreign land; idealistic, crazy, adventurous

ENLISTMENT

Machal  (מח''ל)    Volunteers from Abroad

Garin Tzabar  (גרעין צבר)    Program to make aliyah and join the army

Tzav Rishon  (צו ראשון)    first call up

Gius  (גיוס)    recruitment, enlistment

Bakkum  (בקו''ם)    Absorption and Screening Base; where a soldier is processed on his first day

Machzor  (מחזור)    draft

Gibbush  (גיבוש)    tryout

UNIT

Kitah  (כיתה)    class/squad 

Tzevet  (צוות)    squad/team

Machlekah  (מחלקה)    platoon

Plugah  (פלוגה)    company

Gdud  (גדוד)    battalion

Chativah  (חטיבה)    brigade

Sayeret  (סיירת)    special forces

RANK

Chayal  (חייל)    soldier 

Mefaked  (מפקד)    commander

Mac  (מ''כ)    squad commander

Sammal  (סמל)    sergeant

Mem Mem  (מ''מ)    platoon commander

Samech Mem Pay  (סמ''פ)    assistant company commander

Mem Pay  (מ''פ)    company commander

POSITIONS

Kravi  (קרבי)    combat

Lochem  (לוחם)    fighter/warrior

Jobnik  (ג'ובניק)    noncombat soldier, like a job

Chovesh  (חובש)    medic

Chopel  (חופ''ל)    platoon medic

Rassar  (רס''ר)    Master sergeant

Mishakit Tash  (מ''שקית ת''ש)    in charge of soldiers' personal affairs

Mishakit Aliyah  (מ''סקית עליה)    in charge of translations

TRAINING

Bach  (בא''ח)    training base

Tironut  (טירונות)    basic training

Imun Mitkadem  (אימון מתקדם)    advanced training

Masa  (מסע)    hike, forced march

 -4, 6, 7+1, 10+2, 13+3, 18+3, 5+5, 26+6, 42+6, 60+

Shetach  (שטח)    field

Sha Tash  (שעה ת''ש)    hour free time

Pakal  (פק''ל)    soldier's specialty assignment

Course Tznichah  (קורס צניחה)    Paratrooping Course

Buchan Maslul  (בוחן מסלול)    kilometer run and obstacle course

Baror  (ברור)    physical test of pushups, situps and 2k run

EQUIPMENT

Neshek  (נשק)    weapon

 -Amidah  (עמידה)    standing

 -Kria  (כריע)    kneeling

 -Shchivah  (שכיבה)    prone/lying down

Cadoor  (כדור)    bullet

Rimone  (רימון)    grenade

Casdah  (קסדה)    helmet

Mimiyah  (מימיה)    canteen

Alunka  (אלונקה)    stretcher

Minot krav  (מנות קרב)    field rations

Discete  (דיסקית)    dogtag

Madim aleph/bet  (מדים א/ב)    uniform dress/combat

Kumtah  (כומתה)    beret

Seicah  (סכה)    pin

Confats  (כנפ''צ)    Paratrooping wings

Choger  (חוגר)    military ID

MILITARY LIFE

Kav  (קו)    line (operational)

Imun  (אמון)    training

Shmirah  (שמירה)    guard duty

Mitbach  (מטבח)    kitchen

Krav maga  (קרב מגע)    IDF's hand-to-hand combat training

Mitvach  (מטווח)    firing range

Tekkes  (טקס)    ceremony

 -hashba'ah  (השבעה)    swearing-in

 -kumtah  (כומתה)    beret, at the end of advanced training

Sha beitziyah  (שעה ביציאה)    hour punishment to leave base

Yom Siddurim  (יום סידורים)    day to take care of personal things

Regilah  (רגילאה)    week break

Bettim  (בתים)    medical leave on base

Gimmelim  (גימלים)    medical leave off base

Yitziot  (יציות)    schedule of leave (days on/off base): 16-5, 11-3, 17-4

Madas  (מדס)    exercise

SLANG

Tzair  (צעיר)    young, inexperienced

Pazzam  (פז''מ)    experience

Coddor  (כדד''ר)    menial, discipline work

Tzahove  (צהוב)    yellow, straight and by the book

Chapash  (חפ''ש)    soldier who doesn't work hard

Oketz  (עוקץ)    soldier who always looks to get out of work

Shpitz  (שפיץ)    great soldier

Tash  (ת''ש)    chill, relaxed

Mitztayin  (מצטיין)    outstanding

"Kama ode"  (כמה עוד)    "How much more?"

"Ad matai"  (עד מתי)    "Until when?"

"Eifo kulam"  (איפה כלעמ)    "Where is everyone?"