Sayeret (Hebrew סיירת, pl. sayarot), literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance (the degree of specialization varies by units and current needs). Such units are usually a company or a battalion in strength.

Sayeret units in the IDF

All combat brigades in the IDF have a unit with improved weaponry and training used for reconnaissance and special forces missions, trained to use advanced weapons and reconnaissance technology, as well as hand-to-hand combat. Historically the brigades used to only have one company-sized unit outfitted to do this job, known as Palsar (Hebrew Contraction of: פלוגת-סיור, Plugat Siyur (singular) / Plugot Siyur (plural), "Reconnaissance Company"). Although the Palsar are mostly oriented at battlefield support (which is their raison d'être), many have participated in special operations during recent years. All infantry units as well as some armored units have Palsar.

While in the past there were differences between the siyur units, due to the experiences of the past decades the IDF is now consolidating them into larger units with many different capabilities: battalion-sized units called Gadsar (contraction of Gdud siyur, "Reconnaissance battalion"). Each Gadsar is made up of three specialized Plugot (companies): Demolitions (Plugat Heil Handasa, or Palhan), Reconnaissance (Plugat Siyur, Palsar) and Anti-Tank / Heavy Weapons (Pluga Neged Tankim, or Palnat).

This is part of the Yatah ("Low-Intensity Combat Unit") Project. This project aims at changing the Reconnaissance battalions into specialized urban counter terror units, that are specifically trained and equipped to operate in current combat situations. It must be recognised that thePalsar of these battalions is now considered one of the most recognized of the three Specialized units. Other sayarot are larger units, operating under corps and commands. There are several battalion-size special forces units which report directly to regional, functional (navy/air-force) and the general commands. The best known of these are Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13 and Yehidat Shaldag.

[edit]Sayeret units

[edit]The Top 3

These are the most elite IDF sayeret units. As such they perform the most important missions of the IDF, usually of a strategic nature. Its soldiers undergo longer training regimes than other sayeret units and are also proficient in long range solo navigation (as opposed to other units where long range navigation is done with a minimum of 2 fighters).

• Sayeret Matkal - the most elite of all of IDF units. It operates as the IDF's principal special operations/commando unit, used mainly to obtain strategic intelligence behind enemy lines and to perform hostage-rescue missions in foreign soil. It is directly subordinate to the Israeli Intelligence unit Aman.
• Shayetet 13 - the main Israeli naval commando unit, equivalent to the US Navy SEALS or British Special Boat Service. Also in charge of maritime hostage-rescue missions. Part of the Israeli Navy, its selection and training is considered the most arduous of the entire IDF, due to its maritime role.
• Sayeret Shaldag - the main Israeli Air Force commando unit, it specializes in forward air control, aerial & special reconnaissance, and target designation outside of Israel's borders.

[edit]Infantry Corps

• Duvdevan Unit - counter-terrorist unit for the West Bank, originally a mistaravim unit; part of Paratroopers Brigade.
• Oketz Unit - IDF K-9 unit; part of Paratroopers Brigade.
• Egoz Reconnaissance Unit - counter-guerrilla unit, originally for operating in southern Lebanon; part of Golani Brigade.
• Unit Alpinistim - IDF mountain-warfare unit that patrols the Golan Heights and provides protection for IDF electronic listening posts located at Mount Hermon and Har Avital. This unit also provides alpine rescue services.
• Sayeret Rimon - Southern Command commando reconnaissance unit ^[1]

Also each of the four Infantry Brigades (Golani, Givati, Nahal and Paratroopers) have its own Palsar as mentioned above. Each unit belongs to a specific regional command, where they mainly operate, but can also work in other areas. These are the Infantry "sayerets".

• Palsar Nahal - belongs to Central Command.
• Palsar Tzanhanim (paratroopers) - belongs to Central Command.
• Palsar Golani - belongs to Northern Command.
• Palsar Givati - belongs to Southern Command.

[edit]Armored Corps

• Palsar 7 - the 7th Armored Brigade reconnaissance unit.
• Palsar 188 - the Barak Armored Brigade reconnaissance unit.
• Palsar 401 - the 401st Brigade reconnaissance unit.

During the Six Day and Yom Kippur wars (conflicts with intensive armored warfare) these units suffered terribly in operations, with high casualty rates.^[2]

[edit]Combat Engineering Corps

• Sayeret Yahalom - the Engineering special forces unit, its missions range from EOD and bomb disposal to counter-tunnel warfare.

[edit]Air Force

• Shaldag Unit - mentioned above.
• Unit 669 - combat search and rescue unit, also in charge of civilian rescue services in peacetime.
• Unit Yanmam - airborne-capable anti-aircraft unit.

[edit]Navy

• Shayetet 13 - mentioned above.
• Unit Yaltam - Salvage and Recovery unit.
• Unit Yaban - Force Protection unit (allows female fighters).

[edit]Other units

• Maglan - a commando unit which specializes in operating behind enemy lines. The unit is relatively new, and little is known about it. Maglan is best known for its part in the Second Lebanon War.
• LOTAR Eilat - reserve force counter-terrorism / hostage-rescue unit, based at the southern Israeli port city of Eilat.

[edit]Disbanded units

• Unit 101 - the first Israeli special forces unit, commanded by Ariel Sharon.
• Samson Unit - former Gaza Strip counter-terrorist unit.
• Sayeret Haruv - former IDF Central Command special forces unit.
• Sayeret Shaked - former IDF Southern Command special forces unit.

[edit]Gibush (Selection)

Young Israelis wanting to serve in the sayarot usually go to Yom Sayarot (Reconnaissance Units Day). Held at the Wingate Institute, Yom Sayarot is a day where prospective recruits undergo a series of physical and mental tests to evaluate their aptitude for service in several units. Those wanting to join Sayeret Matkal, Shaldag, Unit 669, Shayetet 13, the submarine service or Hovlim (Naval Officers Course) must go to Yom Sayarot and perform the respective tests for each service option.

Other sayarot recruit their operatives from the best recruits of the respective parent units. For instance, those who excel during training in the Tzanhanim Brigade are invited to try to join Duvdevan, Oketz or Palsar Tzanhanim; the best of recruits of 7th Armored Brigade are invited to apply for service in the Palsar 7, etc.

Drop-outs from some sayarot might be able join other, less demanding sayarot units. For instance, drop-outs from Shayetet 13 migh be able to go to Unit Yaltam or Yaban; drop-outs from Shaldag can end up in Unit Yanmam.

The reserve sayarot such as Alpinistim or LOTAR Eilat usually recruit its members after they finished the mandatory 3-year service in some units: Alpinistim draws its members primarily from Golani and LOTAR Eilat draws its members from former kravi (soldiers that served in a combat unit) that live in Eilat.