From Street Life to Combat: Haredi Teen Becomes Duvdevan Company Commander

A former resident of the Haredi community, who left home at age 15 and experienced homelessness, has risen through the ranks to become a company commander in the elite Duvdevan Unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Known only as Captain M., he described his journey from sleeping on streets and synagogue steps to seeking a military career, driven by a desire for purpose and a deep-seated connection to the importance of Israel, influenced by his father's experiences with antisemitism in Moscow.

Captain M. grew up in a closed Haredi community in Beitar Illit, lacking full core curriculum studies and any real familiarity with the military. His decision to leave his community and family led to a period of significant hardship and isolation. He pursued his goal by completing his studies and undergoing three years of intensive training before enlisting in the IDF in November 2021, specifically aiming for the Duvdevan Unit due to its operational area in Judea and Samaria and its demanding standards.

He described the unit's operational philosophy, "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war," emphasizing its ability to operate deep within enemy territory, surprise targets, and neutralize threats with precision and stealth, even with very short notice. This professionalism and the unit's mission resonated with his personal drive to defend the Jewish people.

On October 7th, Captain M. and his unit were on duty and were rapidly deployed south. The journey revealed the scale of the unfolding disaster, with burnt-out vehicles and casualties along the roads. He recounted entering Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where his unit engaged in intense combat. Captain M. stated that the full realization of the events of that day is an ongoing process that will likely continue throughout his life, reflecting on his personal journey from seeking purpose to actively defending Israel.