Caracal Battalion
| Caracal Battalion | |
|---|---|
 Beret donning ceremony at Masada |
|
| Active | 2000–Current |
| Country |  Israel |
| Branch | Ground Forces |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | 1 Battalion |
| Part of | 512th Brigade ("Sagi territorial brigade"), Southern Command |
| Motto | "The winning combination" |
| Colors | Light green beret, Orange & bourdeaux Flag |
| Engagements | Al-Aqsa Intifadah; 2005 Gaza withdrawal; 2006 Israel-Lebanon War |
The Caracal Battalion is an infantry combat battalion of the Israel Defense Forces, composed of both male and female soldiers, of both Jewish and Arab descent.[1] It is named after the Caracal, a small cat whose sexes appear the same.[2] As of 2009, approximately 70% of the battalion was female.[1][3] It is part of the 512th "Sagi" Brigade of Israel's Southern territorial command.
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[edit] History
Prior to Caracal's formation in 2000, women had been prevented from serving in direct combat positions with the IDF. The unit has since been tasked with patrolling the Israeli-Egyptian border. It took part in Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005.[4]
The unit badge, adopted in 2009, incorporates the Sagi Brigade badge, with the addition of the Caracal cat.[5]
[edit] Training
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New recruits in the Caracal Battalion, are issued the Israeli-made Tavor assault rifle.[5] Battalion members partake in a four-month basic training period that includes physical training at the Givati Brigade training base. Soldiers specialize in various weapons including machine guns, advanced weaponry, grenades, and mortars. [3]
All female soldiers who join the battalion are required to sign up for a third year of military service, the same as their male counterparts.[1][3] The men are drawn from Nahal garinim, or have volunteered.[1]
[edit] Notable members
Elinor Joseph, who has served with the Caracal Battalion, is the first Arab woman ever to serve in a combat role in the Israeli army.[6] Second Lieutenant Noy, also serving with the battalion, was the first female officer to command a sniper platoon.[7]
[edit] See Also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: IDF Caracal battalion |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "Coed combat". The Jerusalem Post. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/868713471.html?dids=868713471:868713471&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jul+15%2C+2005&author=ARIEH+O%27SULLIVAN&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Coed+combat&pqatl=google. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ "Caracal". the Honolulu Zoo. http://www.honoluluzoo.org/caracal.htm. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ a b c ".". http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Israel+beyond+politics/Integration_women_in_IDF-March_2009. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Sheera Claire Frenkel. "After the evacuation". The Jerusalem Post. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/899897381.html?dids=899897381:899897381&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+02%2C+2005&author=SHEERA+CLAIRE+FRENKEL&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=After+the+evacuation&pqatl=google. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Ben, Tzvi (January 8, 2009). "Female Combat Soldiers to Receive Advanced Tavor Rifle". Israelnationalnews.com. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/132673#.To6aJhQr2so. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
- ^ Caro Weizman, Rotem (July 26, 2010). "First Female Arab Combat Soldier in IDF is Proud to Serve Israel". IDF News. http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/Up_Close/10/07/2601.htm. Retrieved August 13, 2011. "The difficult dilemma she felt in serving at a border crossing was not easy for her but she said during moments of difficulty and misgiving she would remember, 'there was a Katyusha [rocket] that fell near my house and also hurt Arabs. If someone would tell me that serving in the IDF means killing Arabs, I remind them that Arabs also kill Arabs.'"
- ^ 1st woman commands sniper platoon. YNet.
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