Military Service

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In July '89 Eitan enlisted in the IDF, with the ambition of joining in the paratroopers’ brigade.

In his first test, training he was marked as one of the best soldiers. But before the tests were over, he became dehydrated as a result of drinking water with oil. He was hospitalized and did not finish the tests.

Eitan then began a parachuting instructors course. He finished basic training (done with the sea commando), with excellence. He did not give up the dream of becoming part of the paratrooper’s brigade, the tradition of his family and village, which led in the ratio of paratroopers in those days.

An Officer in the Paratroopers Engineering Unit.

After a lot of effort, Eitan began the Paratroopers Engineering Unit course. He trained for a period of time then started the IDF officers course. He finished the course and stayed to instruct in the next officer’s course.

Eitan returned to the unit and became a sergeants’ team commander. After four years in the army he was released.

He returned to work on the farm and the dairy with his father. At the same time he spent a lot of time with Raya. Eitan considered working in the Israeli security services but after six months he decided to comply the paratroopers brigade commander’s wishes and he returned to the army.

"Zefa" (Viper) battalion

Eitan became the company second commander in the "Zefa" battalion in August '91. In August '92 he became a basic training company commander. He led his company for 15 months. After a company commanders' vacation in Europe, Eitan became the second commander of "Zefa" Battalion.

Eitan started his two-year course of study, married Raya and developed the Zimerim project in Ramot Naftali.

The Paratroops Recon Unit Commander

In the 17.7.98 Eitan became the commander of the Paratroopers Recon (Reconnaissance Company) Unit - one of the best elite commando units in the IDF. In all his military service Eitan was an example to his soldiers. The same things he demanded from himself he demanded from them: honesty, punctuality, reliability, attention to detail, strong self-discipline and ambition for excellence. For his soldiers Eitan was a father, a brother, a friend and a commander at the same time.

Although the Unit command demanded a lot of time and effort Eitan succeeded in staying involved in his personal life: his parents, Raya, Noam and the Zimerim.

Eitan push to perform special missions in Lebanon. Every mission cancellation made him disappointed and angry. In the end of '98 the North brigadier general cited Eitan’s unit as showing the most initiative and being the most active unit among those that worked in South Lebanon.

Two weeks before his final encounter event, Eitan went with the Paratroopers Brigade commander came to Klod and Ziona house. The commander told Eitan's parents that Eitan would be named on the next Independence Day as an excellent officer by the Chief of Staff. Eitan never had the opportunity to take part in that ceremony. In an emotional ceremony Eitan's parents, Raya,  and little Noam took Eitan's place.