IDF Service In Israel

تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كس

The IDF is built on a three-tiered system based on the Swiss model, consisting of a permanent standing force of career soldiers augmented by universal conscription and backed by a large pool of trained reservists (former conscripts who are called annually for reserve duty).

Military service is a core element in the average citizen's life: compulsory service generally begins at age 18 and lasts for 3 years for males (in the 1950's it was 5 years), 2 years for females, and a minimum of 4 years for officers. Those who subsequently choose to become members of the permanent standing army become "permanent" soldiers. For the rest however, after release from compulsory service there remain years of reserve service - originally from age 21 to 55; now to 45.

For generations, the reserve service was a fixed component in the lives of most citizens: to keep the military's backbone honed for potential need eligible citizens were called back to reserve service annually to undergo training and field assignments, the period of which could last up to 30, even 60 or more days a year. Citizens would call up orders by mail informing them of their upcoming service, duration and assembly location. The IDF reserve mobilization system itself was designed to be speedy, relying on radio, newspapers, notices, posters, letters and telegrams to disseminate the information and enabling full mobilization within 48 to 72 hours. Until the '70s the IDF could even requisition private vehicles to assist with mobilization and transportation

The 1956 Sinai Campaign was the nation's first wartime call-up of reservists, but the reservists were the real cornerstone of the army's struggles in the wars of 1973, 1982 and now in recent years.

Given the omnipresent nature of IDF service in the Israeli's life, the IDF and service within it became an opportunity to integrate new immigrants into daily Israeli life; military service here has often been called the "university of life" for this reason - people from all socio-economic strata and backgrounds serve together both in initial compulsory duty and then later in annual reserve service.

The average citizen views the reservists both with nostalgia and disdain: it's a chance to see "the boys", get out of the routine of the office, take a break from the wife and kids (or as an army flier put it a few years back, to see the attractive females serving in the IDF); others worry for lost income, life and limb - and their wives and children.

Either way military service is an all-pervasive element in Israeli society: it's both a national- and a sub-culture; the object of books and movies, jokes and parodies, and songs. In time of tension or conflict half the pedestrian traffic on our streets is outfitted in olive green, light khaki or blue uniforms.

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