Dotan served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from 1965 to 1988, ending her career as the Head of the Women's Corps, with the rank of Brigadier General. Attaining it in 1986, she became the first woman in the history of the IDF to hold this rank.[1] She also completed a B.A. in Behavioral Science and an M.A. in Psychology from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Upon completing her military service, she served as Vice President of that University, as well as on the Board of Directors of Israel Military Industries and at the Jewish Agency.