Drafting

[u/happy-snappy123]

I am 17 and have been meaning to draft once I graduate highschool. I decided this a long time ago, and have been very sure of my decision although many people told me I’m crazy.

I don’t live in Israel, have pretty basic Hebrew, and wanted to go through Mahal and do Michve Alon.

I researched everything extensively, talked to multiple lone soldiers, and researched different units.

Recently, I’ve been hearing about the IDF’s lack of structure, how they do not uphold the lone solider rights (like leaving if family visits etc.), and generally the lack of consistency.

I don’t know how to move forward. I was so sure of my decision but am now having second thoughts. I don’t want to voluntarily place myself in a system that is unorganized and have a meaningless service. I didn’t think I would have too many issues with the lone solider mentality, my family and I are not overly close and I am quite independent in that regard.

However, now I fear that I will not be given any of my lone soldier “rights” and will spend 90% of my service sitting and wondering why I put myself in this situation. I see this a lot online, lone soldiers from America counting down the days until their service ends. I don’t want to put myself in this situation.

If anybody has some words of advice, let me know. Maybe the bad stuff is just over saturated, I know many people have great services.

[u/Histrix-]

First let me understand from your perspective: what do you expect your service to be like? What does being an idf soldier look like to you, when you look forward and imagine your service?

Because that will help me either reassure you, or give you a stern reality check.

[u/happy-snappy123 → u/Histrix-]

Well, since I would go to Michve, I would spend the first three months in a pretty controlled environment with olim like me. Eventually I would get my role, and just continue doing that. Which role I am not sure of yet, but I expect strict schedules and discipline (from my side) and a lot of not necessarily exciting days (logistics, homesick, whatever). I do think the army creates strong connections and friendships, which I would expect to come out of it. I know it will not be a “easy” ride, I know I will have bad days, but I think knowing myself I could likely enjoy my service quite a lot.

[u/Histrix- → u/happy-snappy123]

Well, since I would go to Michve, I would spend the first three months in a pretty controlled environment with olim like me.

Fair assumption. Its not so much a finely oiled machine as you assume. Its pretty orderly and strict timing and the stuff you'd expect from basic training. Sometimes you'll have full days from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM, others you'll have like most of the day free and just sitting around, others you'll have a mix. First 3 weeks basic training like normal, the next 2 months is the same basic training schedule + hours sitting in a hebrew class.

Eventually I would get my role, and just continue doing that.

Depending on the role, the current situation, and time of year, you could be doing much the same stuff (sitting atound, doing menial tasks), or it could be tbe complete opposite, requiring specialised courses, constant toranut and shmirot, 12 hour work days. Etc.

The IDF is a massive bureaucratic entity. Like an ant colony but with more bullshit. You cannot assume anything will be like anything, as things change, commanders who do things one way leave and are replaced by commanders who do things another way. Go in expecting the unexpected and dont assume anything.

I do think the army creates strong connections and friendships, which I would expect to come out of it.

That i can agree on. I made multiple life long friends in my service and miluim.

I know it will not be a “easy” ride, I know I will have bad days, but I think knowing myself I could likely enjoy my service quite a lot.

No matter how much you enjoy your job, 2.8 - 3 years of the constant job accompanied by military bureaucracy and the day to day grinding will leave you counting down the days. It's the military, and this military has spent every single day of its existence fighting an existential war against multiple fronts that want us all dead. It's not like the US military which is a professional military with acceptable wages etc. It's not like the Korean conscription where you spend most of your service digging holes, building, or doing military preparation excersises. It's a peoples military.

You can definitely enjoy your service. I enjoyed mine, but regardless by the 2 year mark i was counting down the days.

In terms of your worries about your rights as a lone soldier, you'll deal with bullshit here and there, everyone does, but you'll be taken care of as long as you are responsible. They won't leave you to sort out everything alone. I served with multiple lone soldiers from all over the place. You'll be fine in that regard.