Yes Miss Commander

This is a gripping film that could only be made about the Israel Defense Forces: a look at basic training for soldiers from high-risk backgrounds, led by young female commanders.

Perhaps no other military in the world has embraced social missions as deeply as the IDF. From "Teacher-Soldiers" assisting new immigrants to volunteers establishing rural communities, the IDF has a long history of nation-building. This moving and powerful film documents the pinnacle of those efforts: a project known as "Raful’s Boys."
At a boot camp nestled in the hills of the Galilee, 18-year-old recruits arrive after being kicked out of every other framework in society. They carry heavy baggage—criminal records, drug abuse, poverty, and histories of trauma. They enter a specialized military program designed to instill discipline and combat skills, shatter old behavioral patterns, and build a brand-new self-image. The catalysts for this transformation are their commanders—idealistic young women and elite soldiers from entirely different walks of life. The meeting of these two worlds is a constant collision course, yet it is also a journey of social healing, filled with genuine compassion and care.

׳The sheer authenticity of this series creates an electric drama׳

Yaron Fried, Haaretz

Background: The "Raful" Legacy

Raful (Rafael Eitan) was the 11th Chief of Staff of the IDF. A legendary figure, he was known for being rugged, soft-spoken, and incredibly direct. Beyond leading the military during the Lebanon War and the strike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor, Raful championed the project that bears his name (officially known as MAKAM—The Center for Advancing Special Populations).
Raful sought to extend a hand to "at-risk" youth—young men from broken homes and harsh social environments whom the military had previously deemed "unfit for service." Believing that previous efforts were insufficient, he established a dedicated program at Chavat HaShomer, a historic site in the Lower Galilee, providing a specialized basic training tailored to their needs. The primary requirement for these young men was a genuine desire to serve. In return, they were promised that if they succeeded, they could integrate into the IDF as full-fledged soldiers, including in elite combat roles.
True to Raful’s character, the program demands strict military and operational discipline. These young men must learn to follow orders, wake up at dawn, handle kitchen duty, and—perhaps most challenging—shout "Yes, Commander!" to a young woman their own age. It is a masterclass in restraint and self-discipline—perhaps the best life preparation they will ever receive.

The series follows the soldiers and their commanders from the day of enlistment through every breaking point to the final graduation ceremony

׳The series offers many glimpses of 'our beautiful side'—Israel at its best׳

Assaf Sneider, Maariv