They Train in the Negev Desert at 120 Degrees
The Negev Desert covers more than half of Israel's landmass, and it's where some of the military's most grueling training takes place. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F (43°C), and in some training areas, they push past 120°F. Female combat soldiers train in these conditions for weeks at a time, learning to operate, fight, and survive in heat that can cause heatstroke in minutes if you don't know what you're doing.
Desert training isn't about suffering for its own sake — Israel's borders cross some of the most arid terrain in the Middle East, and soldiers must be prepared to fight in these environments. Women in desert units learn water discipline, heat casualty prevention, desert navigation, and how to maintain weapon systems when sand gets into everything. The experience builds a physical and mental toughness that's visible long after service ends. You can always spot a Negev veteran — they're the ones who laugh when civilians complain about the heat.
