The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) has begun its fall induction cycle of recruits. Israel has three such major induction periods each year – with smaller one spread out over other months – and the IDF has released data on the makeup of its new recruits.
Thousands of recruits over December are expected to visit the recruitment sites throughout the country and begin their military service. Among the recruits, men and women were designated for service in significant combat positions in the field units.
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The IDF drafts both men and women and in this draft cycle, 39.62% are expected to be women and 60.38% men.
This year’s fall incaution is different than those held in the past as it is the first time that the IDF is moving forward with a call-up of new recruits during a war. (The First Lebanon War technically lasted for several years, but the actual fighting lasted for only a few weeks.) The Iron Swords War in Gaza to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization is nearing the end of its second month.
In light of the continuation of the fighting, the IDF explained that the recruitments are taking place in full compliance with the directives of the Home Front Command. At the same time, recruits for combat units will be able to start their training immediately.
The IDF also explained that it is taking special procedures for the induction into the military of those recruits who come from the areas of Israel located on the frontline near Gaza. The people from these areas have been forced to leave their homes for safety reasons and many come from the kibbutzim that were devastated in the barbaric Hamas terror attack of October 7. So, not only are they forced to begin their service in the IDF while being, in effect, refugees, but many have also lost friends and family members among the more than 1,200 innocent people butchered by Hamas.
A dedicated induction center was established to handle the special needs of such recruits. The IDF said that it “places before its eyes the unique and sensitive treatment of recruits coming from the Gaza area and the members of the bereaved families.”
As for the different military needs in a time of war, the IDF said it has a new process of “adapting the basic training and junior command training to be implemented during the war.”
To that end, combat commanders – sergeants and officers – who have already been in combat were integrated into the training staff, and lessons from the current fighting were incorporated into the training.
