For thousands of Israeli combat veterans, the battlefield isn’t the last front line — it’s the first step toward a high-paying career in tech. In just a few months, former soldiers are swapping rifles for keyboards, retraining in cybersecurity, software development and other sought-after fields, and landing jobs at some of the country’s top companies.
The Tech Warriors program, Israel's leading technology career accelerator for discharged combat soldiers, has opened enrollment for its Summer 2025 session, offering intensive training and job placement with no prior tech experience required.
The boot camp–style initiative prepares veterans in three to eight months for high-demand fields including cybersecurity, software development, DevOps, network administration and Salesforce. Graduates have gone on to work at leading firms such as Check Point, Rafael, Radware, Israel Aerospace Industries and Matrix.
Since its launch, more than 2,000 veterans have completed the program. Organizers say 65% are now working in technology roles — most without prior experience — and 57% would not have pursued tech training without the program.
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The effort is a joint project of Atidim, the IDF’s Future Gate Unit, the Defense Ministry’s Discharged and Reserve Soldiers Division and Mifal HaPais, Israel’s national lottery. Participants may qualify for up to 80% tuition coverage, monthly living stipends and additional scholarships.
“Combat veterans bring unique strengths — resilience, leadership, accountability, teamwork,” said program director Shuli Shir. “This program turns those traits into real-world assets. It’s not just a career change — it’s a game-changer, both personally and economically. By supporting our graduates through job placement, we’re leveling the playing field between those who served in elite tech units and those who didn’t."
The program has adapted to Israel’s ongoing security situation by adding flexible schedules and multiple training tracks for those called to reserve duty. “We’ve had people return to class directly from the field,” Shir said. “Supporting them through that transition is part of our national responsibility.”
Eligible applicants include combat soldiers discharged within the past five years, and active reservists or lone soldiers discharged up to 10 years ago.
Graduates say the program has been transformative. “I planned to travel after the army, but I realized three months of studies could change everything,” said Hadar Yechiya, now a security operations center analyst at Computech. "I had zero tech background, but now I’m in a role I love, with a clear career path. This program gave me that."
Maor Barantz, a DevOps and cloud engineer at NESS, said he balanced coursework with weekend reserve service. “It was tough,” he said, “but thanks to the support of the program and the instructors, I finished with honors and landed a job I’m proud of. Now, I’m still serving my country-just from a different front.”
More information is available at https://techidf.co.il