In Israel all citizens are drafted into the Israel Defense Forces compulsory service for at least 2 years at age 18. Men usually serve at least 3 years, Women serve for a minimum of 2.
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If you are not an Israeli Citizen you may still be eligible to serve in the IDF. Mahal IDF Volunteers handle this. Check out the requirements at http://www.mahal-idf-volunteers.org/about/join.htm
The technology-driven Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of the twenty first century is a far cry from the volunteer soldier farmers during the fight for Jewish independence in the Land of Israel in the 1940s. In contrast to the modern day IDF - the developer of the world's first high-energy laser weapon system capable of shooting down a rocket carrying a live warhead, and the pioneer of what is considered the world's most secure tank, the founders of the IDF were so desperately short of resources that up until the 1950s, even senior commanders mostly earned no wage, were in their early twenties and lived by growing their own food.
Dr Ruth Served in the IDF as a sniper in 1948
All eligible men and women are drafted at age 18. Men serve for three years, women for 21 months. Deferments may be granted to qualified students at institutions of higher education. New immigrants to Israel may be deferred or serve for shorter periods of time, depending on their age and personal status on entering the country. Upon completion of compulsory service each soldier is assigned to a reserve unit.
Veterans of compulsory service meeting current IDF needs may sign up as career Officers or NCOs. The career service constitutes the command and administrative backbone of the IDF. Graduates of officers' or pilots' schools or special military technical schools are required to sign on for periods of career service.
Israel is unique in that military service is compulsory for both males and females. It is the only country in the world that maintains obligatory military service for women. But the IDF grants general exemptions from compulsory service to various segments of the population, including Israeli Arabs, students engaged in religious studies in an accredited Jewish Law institution, women who are married, are pregnant or who have children, and women who declare that they lead a religiously observant life.
The Israeli government does not disclose information on the overall size of the IDF, or the identity, location, and strength of units.
Nonetheless, here are some statistics from online sources:
- According to "The Military Balance" in 1997-1998 there were 175,000 soldiers in the regular IDF (conscripts and career soldiers) and 430,000 in the reserves. These reserve forces consisted of 365,000 in IDF ground forces, 10,000 in the IDF navy and 55,000 in the IDF air force.
- As of 1999 Jane's estimated the active duty strength at 136,000 troops.
- In 2004, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated the strength of the ground forces at 125,000 troops, including 40,000 career soldiers and 85,000 conscripts, with an additional 600,000 men and women in the reserves.
Feel free to ask questions in the comments and I will try to answer them for you!
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