More Israeli Soldiers Want To See Combat

Motivation to join the Israeli army’s leading fighting units is increasing.

Eighty-two percent of newly recruited soldiers this year asked as their first choice to enlist in combat units, said Israel Defense Forces IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi in the course of a visit to the central induction base in Tel Hashomer yesterday.

“We’re glad that we have more soldiers who are interested in enlisting in the combat units than we need,” said Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi.

The Israeli chief of staff emphasized the IDF Personnel Branch tries to comply with each and every soldier’s request and to enlist him or her in the unit of choice. That said, the IDF Personnel Branch said the rise in demand for combat service means less available slots to place the troops.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com