The group is the largest of the four enlistment groups of 2006-7, though it is smaller than previous years. The downward trend is expected to continue for 4-5 years, when the birth statistics indicate it will once again begin to rise.
The new soldiers, many of them accompanied by their parents, arrived at the Bakum (Bsis Klitah U'Miyun, Reception and Sorting Base) at Tel HaShomer to begin their IDF service. The Bakum is where new IDF recruits are sorted and
sent to their respective corps or basic training bases.
Sunday's enlistment, the first since the recent war in Lebanon, showed continued motivation to serve in combat forces, especially in the Golani Infantry Brigade. Some 500 new recruits joined the Golani, beginning with four months of grueling basic training and two months of more advanced training. In addition, despite - or because of - the heavy involvement of tanks in the recent war, motivation to join the armored units remained high, and these units' personnel will increase in number.
Among their first missions was to learn how to put on army uniforms and boots. Experienced counselors several months older than the new recruits were on hand to explain to them the ins and outs of the buttons, straps and laces.
A senior officer overseeing the enlistment said that the youths are seeking to enlist in the more dangerous unity. "The units that their parents don't want them to go into," he told the NRG website, "that's where they want to go. Even parents who have lost a son in the line of duty are finding that their sons want to go specifically to Infantry."
For the first time, 18-year-old female soldiers enlisted for three-year stints in Field Intelligence. They will be trained to fight just like other soldiers, and will even be fit to fight against Hizbullah in Lebanon.
The new soldiers, many of them accompanied by their parents, arrived at the Bakum (Bsis Klitah U'Miyun, Reception and Sorting Base) at Tel HaShomer to begin their IDF service. The Bakum is where new IDF recruits are sorted and
sent to their respective corps or basic training bases.
Sunday's enlistment, the first since the recent war in Lebanon, showed continued motivation to serve in combat forces, especially in the Golani Infantry Brigade. Some 500 new recruits joined the Golani, beginning with four months of grueling basic training and two months of more advanced training. In addition, despite - or because of - the heavy involvement of tanks in the recent war, motivation to join the armored units remained high, and these units' personnel will increase in number.
Among their first missions was to learn how to put on army uniforms and boots. Experienced counselors several months older than the new recruits were on hand to explain to them the ins and outs of the buttons, straps and laces.
A senior officer overseeing the enlistment said that the youths are seeking to enlist in the more dangerous unity. "The units that their parents don't want them to go into," he told the NRG website, "that's where they want to go. Even parents who have lost a son in the line of duty are finding that their sons want to go specifically to Infantry."
For the first time, 18-year-old female soldiers enlisted for three-year stints in Field Intelligence. They will be trained to fight just like other soldiers, and will even be fit to fight against Hizbullah in Lebanon.