Somewhere in the open, sandy expanses of the south, a selection process was held a few days ago with a focused goal: to meticulously select the next generation of operational drivers for the Balnam (444), the IDF’s professional authority in mobility. And this time, things looked different.
To understand the upgrade made to the selection process, and why the change is coming now – we need to go back to the core mission of the motorized unit. “Broadly speaking, almost the entire army comes to us to specialize in field driving with various vehicles, in challenging terrain and weather conditions,” states Sergeant Major (Res.) M., a graduate of the ‘school’ himself, and currently the deputy commander of the selection process.
But behind this title, he explains, lies a unit that performs operations far beyond training: “In routine, the soldiers qualify all combat personnel for operational mobility, and during wartime – they themselves get behind the wheel, transporting forces in and out of the arena, evacuating casualties, and more.” Part of the effort is indeed to provide a response and support in the field, without compromising critical training.
Now we can return to the starting point: the selection process, and the reason for the changes in it. “When I arrived at Balnam several good years ago,” recalls the deputy commander, “there wasn’t even a dedicated track yet; people were selected from various places in the army.” As the track became more established, they realized that the selection process needed to begin even before enlistment, and not necessarily through the general method of collecting soldiers from other frameworks.
“In August ’24, we transitioned from a ‘vocational’ screening of pre-enlistees, which theoretically happens in classrooms, to a physical one, consisting of two consecutive days of actual practice on vehicles.” In the latest round, a new element was added to the equation: Humvees, out of a deep understanding that the combat soldiers who join the unit need to experience what it’s like to drive one.
And speaking of upgrades, it’s worth mentioning the highlight – the new driving test: “The current method significantly enhances the ability of the examiners to professionally map the combat soldiers even before training, and to identify who among them is the most suitable.” And what does it include? For the exact details, naturally, you’ll have to sit behind the wheel yourselves and discover if you meet the standard.
According to Sergeant Major (Res.) M., the results of the latest selection process already indicate the change on the ground. “In the initial intake, many pre-enlistees wanted to join the unit’s ranks,” he lists. “After the weeding-out test, about half remained, and only the top tens reached the final stage. Those who didn’t pass will continue to be screened for other units. The data only proves how accurate and tailored the test is to the new needs.”
With the March ’25 enlistment just weeks away, Balnam has no intention of slowing down, but rather of continuing to channel and refine. “If there’s one thing these days prove in black and white, it’s that the integration process of combat soldiers into the unit really doesn’t start on enlistment day, nor at the end of training, but much earlier – when they demonstrate their abilities here, in the field.”
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