
The IDF will begin one of its tri-annual mass enlistments on Sunday, officially bringing in new soldiers as August 2010 recruits. The latest group of recruits is highly motivated to serve in combat positions, and particularly in ground troop units, IDF enlistment officers report.
73.3% of the new recruits who were approved for combat duty have asked to serve in combat units, and of those, 97% have asked to serve as combat soldiers. Motivation for combat service is up from August 2009, when 71.9% of recruits requested service in combat units and 94% of those wanted to serve in combat.
Requests to serve in combat reached a record high in 2009. At the time, commanders attributed recruits' eagerness to serve in combat in part to the perceived success of counterterror operation Cast Lead, which dramatically reduced the number of terrorist rocket attacks on southern Israel and in which ground troops played a crucial role. The Golstone Report and world criticism of Israel's active defense against terror may have had a reverse reaction and acted as a patriotic spur, according to experts.
Desire to serve in ground units was higher this year than last, with 46% of the new recruits preferring ground forces, compared to 44.5% in August 2009.
Among the other units enjoying increased popularity was the anti-aircraft branch of the Israel Air Force. Also popular was the Homefront Command, which is tasked with aiding the civilian population in times of war.