Today we visited an IDF training base called Mechva Alon. It is mandatory for every IDF solider to spend three months learning the basics of the Israeli Defense Force. Mei Rav shared a bit about her extensive experiences with us. Mei is Israel born, but her parents are actually from Cleveland Ohio! She spoke to us about the highs and lows of the training process. For example, people are placed to learn at Mechva Alon from non-Hebrew speaking countries all over the world. This means facing difficultly when asked to do simple tasks. Rav has had to be patient when working in her commander position. She has to assist these non-Hebrew speaking soldiers to learn simple Hebrew in every way she can. At the end of each course, these soldiers then take a Hebrew placement test which factors into the outcome of their overall position in the field. In learning to be a commander, Rav has faced many challenges. She loved her first group of soldiers, as they were easy to get along with. Her second group was a bit more difficult, most of them not being native Israelis. Because most of them did not have family in the country, they had a difficult time adjusting. Many of them became mentally unstable and that was very hard for Rav to balance. Being a commander, she cared about these people as well as their success in the military. Rav’s story is filled with ups and downs of working at a military base. Mei Rav is passionate for what she does, and determined for the success of herself and her country.