Each year, ,000 young men try out and 40 or fewer are ultimately selected to serve in Shayetet-13, the Israel Navy SEALs. Known as “men of silence,” these elite naval commandos fight the war between the wars, undertaking covert missions beyond Israel’s borders. They train for six months longer than other Israel Defense Forces units and commit at least 20 more months of total service.
They complete active-duty at least two years behind their peers in pursuing college and careers, ... Read More
Each year, ,000 young men try out and 40 or fewer are ultimately selected to serve in Shayetet-13, the Israel Navy SEALs. Known as “men of silence,” these elite naval commandos fight the war between the wars, undertaking covert missions beyond Israel’s borders. They train for six months longer than other Israel Defense Forces units and commit at least 20 more months of total service.
They complete active-duty at least two years behind their peers in pursuing college and careers, with extraordinary maturity but often unclear direction. All have the qualities necessary to succeed in civilian life and serve Israel and the Jewish community in new ways, but many struggle with the identity shift from military elite to civilian anybody. Some have experienced trauma and loss.
They do not admit injuries or ask for help outside of the brotherhood of the Israel Navy SEALs, so American Friends of Israel Navy SEALs (AFINS), a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and the Israel-based Atalef Foundation help from within. We do so through three primary "pillars" of service:
1. SEAL SAFETY NET: REHABILITATING THE INJURED, EMBRACING THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN
The Israel Navy SEALs unit is among the IDF’s most active, burdened with a disproportionately high number of injured and fallen soldiers. Accordingly the unit has pioneered physical and post-traumatic stress therapies designed to quickly and safely return active-duty SEALs to operational duty. However SEALs are often unable to fully process traumatic experiences until after their service.
Working with expert psychologists the defense ministry and other unit alumni we’ve designed programs that serve SEAL alumni individually and with their former teams. We also embrace the families of fallen soldiers hosting special events to provide support acknowledge their sacrifice and honor them with the legacy of their loved ones.
2. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Weeks before they complete active-duty, we begin preparing Israel Navy SEALs for life beyond the base with seminars on financial literacy, educational opportunities and possible career paths as well as panels featuring Israel Navy SEAL alumni.
We provide access to a vast alumni network to help SEALs set and achieve their post-service goals. We also begin addressing the emotional toll of service by pairing SEAL teams with volunteer opportunities befitting their interests.
To help further their careers SEALs can apply to our renowned Mentorship program, pairing with a successful professional and participating as part of a cohort in this year-long program that includes extraordinary one-to-one support as well as lectures, guided group projects and therapy.
3. SEAL SOCIAL IMPACT
During 20 months of grueling training, Israel Navy SEALs must touch every finish line with all five fingers of their hand. This level of commitment becomes engrained, and we apply it to community engagement. It begins during active-duty, when SEALs help pack and deliver care packages to Unit families in economic need, and continues with our social impact programs:
The nationally recognized Still Waters program provides SEALs the opportunity to volunteer with injured soldiers from across the IDF in rehabilitative water activities.
Buddy Line pairs trained Israel Navy SEAL volunteers with severely post-traumatic veterans from other IDF units for therapeutic water activities with both tangible objectives and goals around psychological well-being. We currently offer programs in sailing, in which participants earned a skipper’s license, scuba-diving, in which participants earn diving certification, and in wave-surfing/paddle-boarding. Each leverages our effective one-to-one model.
The Ambassadors program combines introspection, writing and public speaking to help SEAL alumni process and understand their experience, then develop and expertly present their stories in dynamic TED-style talks. These talks typically feature the Jewish values and moral calculus of the Unit and are presented in Israel and across North America.
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