Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., July 31, 2009 Av 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 12:49 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Maccabiah Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 18:59 29/07/2009
IDF: More recruits request combat service since Gaza war
By Anshil Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Golani, Israel News, IDF 

Since the beginning of 2009, the Israel Defense Forces have seen a sharp increase in the number of recruits interested in joining combat units, IDF data shows. The IDF attributes this trend to the massive media exposure the combat units received during Israel's three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip last winter.

The data, however, also shows a slight decline in the popularity of the less "glamorous" field units.

Infantry units continue to draw most high school students eligible for combat service, as 45 percent of potential recruits said they wanted to serve in one of the infantry brigades.
Advertisement

In total, 71.5 percent of new recruits specified they wanted to join a field unit, representing a 4 percent increase over figures recorded in 2008.

The Golani Brigade retains its place as the most sought after among the infantry units, with an average of 4.8 recruits asking to serve in the brigade for every available space. Givati ranks second among the infantry brigades, with 4 recruits for each available slot, followed by the Nahal Brigade with 2.5 recruits per slot.

The Kfir Brigade, the most recently formed out of the infantry brigades and which operates solely in the West Bank, attracted 1.7 recruits for every opening it had, compared with 1.6 last year.

98 percent of soldiers who were recruited to field units, according to IDF figures, requested to serve in combat units.

The IDF's Combat Engineering Corps and Armored Corps have also seen a rise in popularity, although the two are still having trouble recruiting enough new soldiers. The ratio of requests to serve in the Combat Engineering Crops was 0.7 soldiers for every available spot, and 0.9 soldiers for every slot available in the Armored Corps.

Despite the rise, some units, such as the Anti-Aircraft Corps, Border Patrol, and Home Front Command, have dropped in popularity compared to past years. However, as a result of the relatively small number of soldiers needed to serve in such units, there are still more soldiers requesting those units than can be accepted.

The IDF combat units' selection process lasts seven months and begins in the middle of senior year. The IDF strives to place most potential recruits in the units of their choice, after their abilities are taken into consideration.

Related articles:
  • IDF's information much more secure: No leaks during Gaza op
  • Tensions rise on Lebanon border, but IDF insists 'quiet prevails'
  • IDF chief on ethics issues: Our camp must be pure
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Cast Lead reviewed
    Israel 'defense brief' rules Gaza offensive was proportionate.
    Next stop Venice
    New Israeli film about an IDF tank crew in Lebanon makes it to the Venice Film Festival.
      1.   Note on the use of the term `war` 19:05  |  Colin Wright 29/07/09
      2.   Of course, its not like they actual "fought" a war 20:24  |  HA HA 29/07/09
      3.   This is because of the drop after the 2006 war 21:19  |  Natallie Durson 29/07/09
      4.   Not surprising...As IDF soldiers have testitified... 21:27  |  American 29/07/09
      5.   If there are so many wanting to fight... 21:31  |  had enough 29/07/09
      6.   Israel-bashers can delude themselves 21:42  |  judith 29/07/09
      7.   A war is a war 21:59  |  Vitaly 29/07/09
      8.   warped sense of victory 23:39  |  ron 29/07/09
      9.   Bibi`s army 00:54  |  Conroy 30/07/09
      10.   No Surprise..... 02:22  |  William 30/07/09
      11.   Colin`s War 03:16  |  utagawa 30/07/09
      12.   Gaza War 04:47  |  Hirz 30/07/09
      13.   Cannon fodder 10:51  |  Danny 30/07/09
      14.   Gonna need lots of recruits... 10:53  |  Rod 30/07/09
      15.   War? No. a one horse race. A like for like army then we`ll see 12:57  |  Ezra 30/07/09
      16.   War? more like shooting fish in a barrel 12:58  |  Miriam 30/07/09
      17.   To Vitaly 13:47  |  Tip 30/07/09
      18.   what a twisted sense of moral duty... 21:20  |  Dutch 30/07/09
      19.   danny -13 23:18  |  sani 30/07/09
      20.   Watch out for the sociopaths 00:59  |  LanceThruster 31/07/09
      21.   To Tip 02:36  |  Pumpsie 31/07/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    Master's Program in Desert Studies
    An innovative, multidisciplinary, international program specialized in Desert Research
    Dead Sea Cosmetics .Summer Specials
    Velvet Hand Cream just $14.90
    Handmade In Tel Aviv
    Itay Noy, Timepiece Maker
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care
    From the Dead Sea Coupon cofe Haaretz for 10% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    10:16 U.S. briefs Israel on new Iran nuke sanctions
    10:13 ANALYSIS / U.S. losing faith in usefulness of Tehran dialogue
    11:16 Rahm Emanuel: Self-hating Jew or peace-broker?
    10:50 New Jersey scandal less damaging to Jews than Madoff
    10:51 Jews cannot preach humanity and expel migrants
    10:19 Israeli octogenarian seeks recognition as terror victim after 80 years
    11:51 Israeli soccer players arrested in Sweden for sexual assault
    00:15 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    12:27 Egypt border patrol kills African migrant crossing into Israel
    04:03 Israel launches program to save coastal aquifer
    04:16 Coming soon in Israel: Free digital-quality TV
    12:04 Madonna: Puzzle pieces fell into place with discovery of Kabbalah
    06:35 Tickets for Leonard Cohen concert in Tel Aviv go on sale Saturday
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved