There are many rules for soldiers in the army.
Here are some of the rules soldiers have while they are in uniform:
– They can’t drink alcohol (they can at home on the weekend but not on base)
– Soldiers are not allowed to pet animals on base (because they might hurt you or scratch you, you can’t do anything that could get you hurt and need a medical procedure)
– You can’t get piercings or tattoos when you are in the army (same reason as petting animals- you should not get hurt), (you can go in the army with a tattoo but can’t get additional ones in the army)
– You can not get a bad sunburn (you would be hurt)
– Can’t dye your hair
– Your hair has to be one color (you can’t have purple highlights or dyed tips or whatever). Soldier’s hair can only be black, brown, blond, or red (your hair has to be the same one color the whole time you are in the army)
– Girls whose hair is longer than their collar have to put it up, but they can’t use clips and you can’t have colorful hair bands. You can have black hair bands or a banana type of clip (banana clips are popular in Israel)
– You are only allowed two rings between your ten fingers
– Earnings must be studs (but if you are done with your mandatory service and have signed ok for extra time you can wear other earnings or paint your nails bright colors such as red)
– You can only your paint nails clear or really light colors
– No nose piercings
– Only one earring per ear in the ‘normal spot’ (bottom part of ear)
– Only necklaces smaller than a half shekel (a little bigger than a quarter)
– You can only wear bracelets with one charm and they mostly have to be made out of metal
– You can only wear one necklace
– Men have to shave their hair
– Men also can’t have beards but can get a ‘beard permit’
– Makeup shouldn’t be able to be seen, you can wear mascara and lip gloss but not much other stuff
Soldiers must follow a LOT OF RULES!!!!
You can get detention or jail for breaking some of the rules. The jail you would go to is for people who didn’t do very bad things.
Also, soldiers have different ranks (usually represented by stripes), and shoulder ranks are always higher than arm ranks.
It was really interesting for me to learn about the army through the experience of a soldier.
It was super fun to hang out with Amit, and I hope to meet up with the other people who were shinshinits at our shul.
– Naomi