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Noam Zissman and Moran Kalinsky have had a lot of explaining to do lately.

The two officers of the Israel Defense Force were in San Francisco last Friday, part of a several week visit in the United States known as "Achva" (brotherhood) in which they tour the country to explain their mission.

While two IDF soldiers are dispatched through this program annually, their U.S. tour took on added meaning this year, as they found themselves repeatedly having to explain recent events from the military's perspective.

"This year, it's a little complicated," said Kalinsky, "but it's really important for us to say what we think of the media and what's really going on."

The soldiers have been questioned about the Israeli army's use of "excessive force," said Zissman, making quotation marks with his fingers when he used the term. He explained that IDF policy dictates never to fight against women or children. "That's not the values and morals of our country," he said. "If we did, we'd be war criminals.

"Except for the bombing of the police compound in Ramallah, where we gave warning so there would be no casualties, we have strict orders not to fire until we're fired upon," he said.

When fired upon, "We must respond. But we're always aiming for specific targets, never just shooting around," he said.

Prior to this visit, neither Zissman, 21, from Ra'anana, nor Kalinsky, 20, from Holon, had been to this country. They've been busy — speaking on college campuses, to Jewish students, and to political science classes. And for the most part, they've found the people they meet — both Jews and non-Jews — very supportive.

"Before I came here, I thought if Jews love Israel so much, and they think it's so important, then they should just move there," said Kalinsky. But after touring around, she has gained a better understanding of diaspora Jewry.

"Now I see that they're helping to support us, even more than if they were in Israel. Their support is so important."

Kalinsky is a petite, serious young woman, who is considering making the army her career. As an officer, she oversees basic training of the new inductees. Not the female new recruits, but the males.

Do they listen to her?

"When they're just coming into the army, they're not used to the discipline," she said. "But after a few days, they understand what their position is and what mine is and they do what I tell them to."

Zissman will stay an extra year in the army, but then he hopes to travel and study.

Most recently, Zissman has been stationed protecting Jewish residents of Netzarim, a settlement in the Gaza Strip.

When asked how the images he has witnessed while on duty are affecting him, Zissman expressed the view that although he saw so much hatred in the eyes of the Palestinians he faced, peace is inevitable. There is no other way, he explained.

"Peace is the only solution," he said. "Neither side wants war. Even after a war, we'd be back in the same position, except with less people.

"Peace is something we have to do, but we'll have to remain strong," he said.

The bomb that had just exploded in Jerusalem last week after a cease-fire agreement was signed between Israel and the Palestinians was further proof that "even when we sign an agreement, we have to defend ourselves," he said.

And repeating the words of many Israeli politicians, Kalinsky said, "You make peace with your enemies, not your friends."

Zissman served four months in Lebanon, so even though there was relative peace when he first joined the army, he has still seen combat, and has still lost men in his unit.

"I didn't want to believe I'd be in this situation," he said, "but it happens. You just have to go on and keep doing your mission."

Perhaps one of the hardest things about being a soldier is not letting your own opinions get in the way of what is required of you.

Without revealing what he thought about the Jewish settlers in Netzarim, Zissman said, "I get an order, I do it. Otherwise, we'd not be a military, but a gang. What I feel about it is not relevant."

While Kalinsky does not have to serve in a similar situation, she said, "While you are a soldier, you belong to the army, and the army belongs to the government. You can't think about if it's OK or not for you."

"We're not robots," said Zissman. "But as an officer, I represent the system." To the soldiers he commands, he must keep his opinions to himself, he said, "because I have a lot of influence over them." But among his fellow officers, they talk about what they think all the time, he said.

"Sometimes you're asked to do something you don't want to do. But if you don't do it with your whole heart, then you won't succeed."

Nevertheless, Zissman felt proud to serve his country. "I chose to become an officer, and I'm not regretting even one second. If I had to do it over again, I'd choose it again."