Special In Uniform

IDF soldiers with disabilities facilitate Turkey rescue mission

Special in Uniform soldiers work round-the-clock to prepare medical equipment and emergency kits for takeoff to Turkey

8 teens with cerebral palsy inducted into IDF

In ceremony, parents lift their disabled children from their wheelchairs, dance with them, celebrating the realization of a lifelong dream.

1st time:

Soldier with mental disability to receive Award of Excellence

Sgt. Gal Shavi to receive President’s Award of Excellence for his contribution to the IDF and Israel on Israel’s Independence Day.

Pres. Herzog embraces special soldiers after moving musical show

Special in Uniform Band sings for equality & acceptance at the inauguration of Brigadier General Orly Markman as Pres. of IDF appeals court.

Teen with autism fulfills dream of joining IDF

Tal Or, Itamar's mother, relates story of his adoption, discovery his autism, fight to allow him to join his friends in the IDF.

'The greatest day': Her sons are soldiers - despite disabilities

Heartwarming: Tammy Isaac-Shiffman, mom of 2 boys with special needs, talks about how she guided them past their disabilities, into the IDF.

Chief of Staff to children with disabilities: You are wanted

IDF Chief of Staff promises to place Israeli children with disabilities in the IDF at Special in Uniform event,

A gift born of loss

Israeli educator, Israel Prize winner and bereaved mother Miriam Peretz donates 50,000 ILS to IDF soldiers with disabilities.

Cannabis King inspired by disabled IDF soldiers

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Big Mike Straumietis adopts Special in Uniform unit.

Watch: Top pop singer performs with Special in Uniform

Eden Ben Zaken, Israel’s favorite pop star, sings hit song accompanied by soldiers with disabilities.

IDF soldiers perform 'Hatikvah' on Israel’s Independence Day

Celebrating Independence Day with inclusion: IDF soldiers with disabilities perform 'Hatikvah' on Israel’s Independence Day.

Jews, Druze, Christians, and Muslims joining for a worthy cause

Special in Uniform marks formation of new IDF unit made up of volunteer soldiers from mixed Druze, Muslim, and Christian town.

'I came to help the sea creatures survive'

Special cleanup: Special in Uniform volunteers join the efforts to preserve the Mediterranean shore.

Young man with autism cracks codes in top-secret IDF cyber unit

Itai Kaufman, 24, who received an automatic military exemption after being diagnosed with ASD. But he was determined to serve.

Newest IDF recruit: 'At age 15, I was sure my life was over'

A dream come true: The amazing story of Daniel Defour, newest IDF recruit: 'Grateful to IDF and Special in Uniform for opening the door.'

Keeping safe in the IDF amid coronavirus

Roy Shifman is a proud soldier. He also has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, but that doesn’t stop him from his duties.

Soldiers with disabilities return to bases following furlough

Soldiers from the IDF’s Special in Uniform project return to bases brimming with motivation and ready to continue defending the country.

Mother’s Day: Son beats the odds and serves in the IDF

Daniel Tabarzar was diagnosed with William’s Syndrome as a baby - yet he defied the odds and is now in the IDF’s Special in Uniform program.

Druze commander delivers food to Bnei Brak’s disadvantaged

IDF Major Rami Hassan and soldiers from Special in Uniform are chosen to join the official torch-lighting ceremony on Mount Herzl.

'Special' soldiers are facilitating coronavirus testing

A win-win situation: 'Special in Uniform' soldiers facilitate coronavirus testing.

Proud in Uniform: New Year of hope and contribution to society

After a yearlong journey, 9 Special-in-Uniform volunteers are inducted into the IDF and receive their soldier’s IDs.

North American immigrant with autism joins Israeli military

'It’s a win-win situation for the country, the soldiers, and for me,' new soldier Michael says.

Blind soldier awarded Presidential Medal of Excellence

Educational officer Sergeant Ori Salmon, who insisted on joining IDF despite being born blind, becomes 1 of 120 soldiers to receive award.

Defying stereotypes:

This young autistic soldier never stopped believing in himself

In honor of World Autism Day, Shachak Shriki, diagnosed with autism at the age of 15, tells how he joined the IDF.

A time for miracles:

IDF celebrates Purim with heartwarming induction ceremony

Four special youth join the IDF in a personalized induction ceremony. Families: 'It's a Purim miracle.'

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

'Special wings for special soldiers'

Prime Minister Netanyahu meets with soldiers from the Special in Uniform program, awarding them special recognition.

Rivlin hosts "Special in Uniform" soldiers

The President hosted IDF's special needs soldiers who are part of the "Special in Uniform" program.

Knesset marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Special in Uniform soldiers are guests of honor in the Knesset and enjoy cross-party support and commendation.

Watch: Special needs soldiers attend Memorial Day ceremony

Soldiers with physical disabilities participate in IDF Memorial Day ceremony in Jerusalem.

Coming full circle ahead of Passover

New squadron of Special in Uniform receives their caps and wings.

MKs meet with JNF to encourage inclusion in Israel

JNF representatives, Knesset members, meet to discuss inclusion of people with disabilities.

With special recruits, Israeli pilots fly higher

Meet Orly Lahat, a retired F-16 pilot, and his son Omer, a teen with cerebral palsy who today a proud soldier in the IDF.

IDF's newest special needs program inaugurates K-9 unit

IDF holds graduation ceremony for soldiers in the 'Special in Uniform' program's new dogs (K-9) unit.

Lighting up the world with inclusion

IDF commanders attend swearing-in ceremony for 12 soldiers with disabilities joining the Home Front Command.

IDF mission receives global support

IDF 'Special in Uniform' which allows teens with special needs to serve and integrate into Israel's social fabric wows supporters worldwide.

Disabled Israeli soldiers aid Mexico earthquake rescue effort

They are members of the JNF-supported 'Special in Uniform' program, which integrates young people with disabilities into the IDF.

PM to blind soldier: You deserve to serve

Blind soldier turns to PM Netanyahu with three wishes; Netanyahu grants two of them - and IDF welcomes new Air Force soldier.

Watch: Soldier with cerebral palsy gets her “wings”

Young woman who defied expectations her entire life does it again and becomes full-fledged DF soldier.

Trailblazing hero wins Presidential Award for Volunteerism

Founder of Special in Uniform, which integrates young people with disabilities into the IDF, accepts award from President Rivlin.

Hero who foiled terror attack leads fight for disabled soldiers

Ariel Almog, who heroically foiled terror attack, is recognized again for his work for disabled soldiers looking to integrate into the IDF.

Watch: Rivlin honors outstanding soldiers with disabilities

President Reuven Rivlin honors 30 outstanding soldiers with disabilities from the Special in Uniform program.

Israeli teen with CP beats the odds, becomes IDF soldier

Teen with cerebral palsy fulfills dream of serving in the IDF.

IDF soldiers with disabilities celebrate Tu Bishvat

'Special in Uniform' helps disabled IDF soldiers find their unique mission, plant trees for Tu Bishvat.

PM joins soldiers with disabilities at graduation of IAF pilots

PM meets with IDF soldiers with disabilities at graduation ceremony for IAF pilots, says strong armies include people with disabilities.

The story of a special Israeli firefighter

An intellectually challenged youngster stops at nothing to fulfill his dream of becoming an Israeli firefighter.

'Disabled in workplace' bill expected to pass

A bill which would require large government bodies to meet a quota of 5% disabled employees approved for final Knesset vote.

Disabled IDF volunteer recognized at award ceremony

Young man with disability volunteered for IDF service, recognized for contributions to state.

Heartwarming: Overcoming disabilities to defend the nation

Lotan has struggled with cerebral palsy her whole life - now thanks to a special program, she is realizing her dream as an IDF soldier.