IDF notes 'more motivation to join combat units'

Jerusalem Post ^ | 7/29/09 | Yaakov Katz

[dervish]

IDF notes 'more motivation to join combat units'

Jul. 29, 2009 Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST Amid growing efforts to curb the rising numbers of draft dodgers, the IDF on Wednesday noted a slight increase in motivation among youth to serve in combat units.

The IDF started the August draft on Sunday. It will continue throughout next week, sending new recruits to almost all IDF field units.

The draft-dodging numbers remained the same, with close to 25 percent of youth born in 1990 not enlisting - some dodging the draft, and others not serving due to religious and medical exemptions.

But a total of 71.5% of the youths requested to serve in a combat unit ahead of the August draft. That compares favorably to 67.6% who asked for combat units in the draft last summer. Sources in the IDF Manpower Division said that the increase was a result of Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip earlier this year.

"The youth saw the combat units - infantry, armored, engineering and artillery - in action during the Gaza operation," one source said. "This contributes to the draw to these units."

The biggest surprise of the draft was the Artillery Corps, which succeeded in doubling requests to serve in its units. In 2008, there were 0.6 recruits "competing" for each spot. In this week's draft there was 1 recruit for every spot.

The Armored Corps also noted a sharp increase, with 0.9 recruits "competing" for each spot in comparison to 0.4 in 2008.

In the infantry brigades, Golani was in first place, with 4.8 recruits competing for every available spot. Givati overtook Nahal for the first time in history, with 4 recruits competing for every spot in comparison to 2.5 in Nahal. The Kfir Brigade lagged far behind with 1.7 recruits.

Givati's high showing was the result, sources in the brigade said, of the unprecedented exposure it received during Operation Cast Lead. Then, under the command of Col. Ilan Malka, the Givati Brigade took over two 15-story buildings in search of Hamas operatives in the Tel el-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City.

The operation was the deepest push the IDF made into Gaza City and put soldiers just 500 meters away from the home of senior Hamas leader Mahmoud A-Zahar. During the raid, troops from the Givati Reconnaissance Battalion killed over 40 Palestinian gunmen.

[dervish]

May the tragedies of Tisha B'av turn into the miracle of redemption in our lifetime.

[dervish]

IDF recruitment up

[sinanju]

That’s good to hear. I’ve been reading for years now about the cultural shift against military service. In “Brotherhood of Warriors” Aaron Cohen noted that the military is now culturally distinct from the general population and much more religious.

[rahbert]

Golanis get to hang out in the cooler highlands and
train to stop Syria (biggest threat bordering Israel).

Driving up to Majdal Shams one is reminded of the 1973
and 1967 wars - Syrian bunkers and memorials to fallen Israli tankers. One can’t help but be motivated surrounded by reminders of Syrian hatred of Israel.

[Zionist Conspirator]

May the tragedies of Tisha B'av turn into the miracle of redemption in our lifetime.

'Amen, ken yehi ratzon!

[MarkL]

Those "draft dodgers" may find themselves in combat, whether they want to be or not. Israel's tiny: The "front line" can be just a few miles from anywhere in Israel. At least if they enlisted, they'd get some training that might actually save their (and others') lives.

Mark

[SunkenCiv]

thanks dervish.

IDF Vets Train U.S. Jews to Protect Their Communities
Arutz Sheva | 7/23/09 | Maayana Miskin
Posted on 07/28/2009 11:25:02 AM PDT by FlorianG
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2302904/posts