How does the israeli army work

Say Cheese! Stand in line to take a photograph for your army ID card. Rumor has it whoever smiles in their photograph will become an officer… act accordingly. Nothing hurts too much, we promise! Soldier Up! Then it will be time for you to dress like a soldier. Shirts, pants, boots, socks and more — throw everything in your kit bag and move to the dressing rooms.

Word will spread about proper techniques — all the new recruits help each other. Take note — army sizes are really weird. Pause: The important thing is that you take a moment to look up at the mirror and see yourself in an IDF uniform.

For Orthodox women who want to contribute but are reluctant to fully integrate into the secular corps, the army established Sherut Leumi , literally national service, in which particpants volunteer full-time for one or two years, mostly in schools but also in other locations such as hopsitals or nursing homes throughout Israel.

Sherut Leumi is now open to any Israeli man or woman who does not serve in the army. The army has even tried to accommodate the ultra-—most of whom get exemptions to allow 18 year olds to continue with yeshiva studies—by setting up special units called Nahal Haredi.

The question of the ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions has stirred bitter controversy with secular Israelis who see themselves as carrying most of the burden.

In the late s, the Supreme Court ordered that the Knesset must come up with legislation regulating the issue. The result was the Tal Law, which essentially codified the draft exemption practice, outraging secularists even more. Some soldiers decide to make the army their career. Professional soldiers get a host of fringe benefits, including generous pension plans that begin when they reach their mid-forties. Probably the most important benefit of the career service track is the network of acquaintances formed during the service that often opens up doors for prominent jobs for soldiers after they leave the army.

Many elite units even developed a reputation for producing the whiz kids who left the army to establish start-ups or become project managers at existing companies. One profession where famous soldiers are sought after is politics.

The name recognition that goes along with become high ranking generals and the security credentials make military men attractive assets to political parties.

Three of the last four Israeli prime minister came to politics directly from the army. JPost NY Conference. Diplomatic Conference. IvritTalk- Free trial lesson. The Jerusalem Report. Jerusalem Post Lite. March of the living. Kabbalat Shabbat. Shapers of Israel. Maariv Online. Maariv News. Tools and services. JPost Premium. Ulpan Online. JPost Newsletter. JPost News Ticker.