Number of IDF recruits seeking combat service jumps by 6%
As in previous years, IDF infantry brigades are most highly sought after, of which Golani still most popular.
By Anshel Pfeffer Tags: Israel news Gaza warThe number of new recruits in the Israel Defense Forces seeking to serve in combat units has jumped by six percent, the army said on Sunday as it began to induct the large November draft.
According to IDF data, 73.7 percent of all the recruits with the necessary level of fitness requested to serve in combat units. At the same time last year, only 67.2 percent of the conscripts asked to do so.
As in previous years, the IDF infantry brigades are the most highly sought after by those who wish to serve in combat. The Golani Brigade was the most popular with the current draft, as it was also last November, with seven recruits competing for every place in the veteran unit.
But there was also a significant rise in the number of recruits seeking to serve in the Armored Corps, the Artillery Corps, Field Intelligence and the Israel Air Force's anti-aircraft division.
The IDF explains the rise in motivation to serve in combat units as stemming from Israel's winter offensive against Hamas in Gaza, code-named Operation Cast Lead.
|
IDF recruits trying on new uniforms. |
| Photo by: (Dan keinan / archive) |
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
"They aren`t good at anything" Racist, aren't you?
To #5 I wonder why you believe that every other country follows the policies of the Turkish Army?...... As per my uncle who suffered a terrible beating in the hands of turkish officers while in the service. Now that does not happen in Israel
You hear each and every day new abuse of new recruits, they are beaten fierecly, tortured, and some of them even was killed. There are many suits initiated against commandars beating their soldiers Such abuse and torture events are almost nil in Combat units.That is because you cannot abuse a future combantant which will be in the same teams during war, Commanders know that if they beat a combantant recruit they may shoot by mistakes their commander during operation! Or at least they may fail to give life saving support to their abuser commander! That is why they prefer combat units, to escape from torture and abuse!
We are proud of our army. Our young people are proud to serve in an effective and principled army. The frantic efforts of our detractors leaves no impression on us.
Is there a link between the incresed demonstration refusing to evacuate the selttlements (illegal that is) in the West Bank and the numbers increasing wanting to serve in the frontline?
it only makes their undertakers rich. They, like lemmings, rush to their own death by repeated rocket attacks on Israel. They never learn and always suffer more than Israeli's Now, you know why. They aren't good at anything, especially, wars that they start that get many more of them killed. Their choice, their losses.
When you think that only a dozen Israelis died compare to the 1400? 1100, depending who is doing the counting.