 At age 16, he took acting classes at Beit Tzvi arts school.Although at that point he was more interested in acting than in creating music, Hanoch was recruited by the Nahal army troupe when he turned 18, and wrote a few songs for the troupe while in the service.He was demobilized in 1968, but not before he had participated in a recording of the best-of album made of re-recorded versions to 1950s and 1960s hits by the troupe called "Kol HaKavod LaNahal" (Well Done, Nahal).