I'm Joining the Army on August 17'th!

[MicroBalrog]

Yes! Graduated from Highschool (with distinction) this year, joining Israel Defense force August 17th.

Apparently, I won't get to be in combat units or any "closed bases".

However, I do have to go through basic military like everybody else. Any advice from those who know better.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I never been to your part of the world but I'm guessing it's a scary place to be. Combat unit or not, take care of your self, ok?

Will you have internet access?

 

[MicroBalrog]

Not in the first 1-2 months of service.

Being that I'm unlucky, I'll get pushed into a paper-pusher "open-base" unit, were the troops go home everyday at 15:00. So yes.

 

[Greg L]

However, I do have to go through basic military like everybody else. Any advice from those who know better.

Just remember that it is 90% mental in basic. The Drill Instructors are pushing you hard mentally to see where your breaking point is. Play the game by their rules and they won't have as much to hassle you about.

Bring an old pair of panty hose with you (or better yet only one leg, that way they won't think that you are wearing them ) they are great for putting the final shine on a pair of boots.

Greg

 

[50 Shooter]

Why can't you be in a combat arms unit?

Like greg said, it's mostly a mental game that the DI's play with you. If you can handle being yelled at and ordered around like a tool, you'll be fine.

I didn't notice before that your from Israel, I was stationed down at Taba for 6 months as part of the Multi National Peace keeping Force there. Didn't care for Egypt but Israel is a nice place.

 

[MicroBalrog]

Two problems:

1. Only son. No combat arms units without mom and dad's signatures. Strange Israeli law.
2. Apparently, the fact I visited a psychologist at some point at my past, introduces something calleed a "menntal protection" - no "closed base units". Total BS as the psychologist diagnosed me as perfectly sane.

 

[Sean Smith]

Take care of your feet. Clean socks and anti-fungal powder are your friend when you are doing a bunch of marching.

And, speaking in general, there is usually a way to get what you want in the military. There is usually some appeal or waver process, no matter how broken or crazy you are. That's how I got into West Point even though I was half-blind in one eye.

 

[MicroBalrog]

I understand there's two things about that:

1. They've pulled the time for four month with various stupid suggestion (including Military inteligence). and now it's too late to appeal.

2. There's a strict order by the General Staff Commander, in place since 2000, that says "no combat arms units for single kids without permission from both parents. NO exceptions."

 

[winstonsmith]

Good luck man.

Don't have any wise words about boot, but I suspect that alot of others will. Hope you can get where you want to.

Just out of curiousity, why wont your parents sign the waiver? I realize that they must realize the danger to you, but if it's what you want they shouldn't stop you.

Jack

 

[Triad]

I don't think that's something that only happens in Israel. I read an article in National Geographic once about Cossacks. They mentioned that the men who were the only ones from their family wore an ear ring to designate them and they weren't sent into combat either.

If you really want to go into combat arms I'm sure there is someone who will help you if you can get your parents permission ahead of time.

 

[MicroBalrog]

My parents have absolutely put their foot down on this one.

However, I'm not very sad about it, simply because I could've only been legally drafted in Armour or Arillery.

 

[MicroBalrog]

Of course, I'm going to try and get myself into some force or branch were my knowledge of languages, I.Q., etc., can be properly used. I hope I don't end up hauling boxes for 3 years.

 

[Waitone]

Consider intelligence. If you have the aptitude for additional languages I hear Arabic is increasing in popularity.

Might also consider communications

 

[George Hill]

Be greatful for the No Combat Unit thing.

The fights will come to you, you don't have to go looking for them.

 

[digex]

I'm with George on this one. The best soldiers I know will do anything for their country but would just as soon not have too if it was all the same. Combat isn't a fun experience (remember it's all about the "pucker factor"). Don't go looking for combat, if your country feels at some point that they need you to serve as a bullet-stopper, they'll let you know.
Semper Fi brother.

 

[wingnutx]

Any advice from those who know better.

Run as much as possible before bootcamp. Work out in general.

 

[HBK]

Good luck. You'll do well.

 

[CB900F]

Micro & all;

If you want to do something 'interesting' without it being in the combat arms, by all means, go the MI route. I'm not familiar with MI in the IDF, but in another army I can tell you that if there's a will, there's a way.

The nearest equivalent in the US forces to the only son ban in the IDF would seem to me to be the Sullivan's case. Wherein 5 brothers managed to get assigned to the same destroyer in the Pacific in WWII. The DD went down in Iron Bottom Sound with all hands lost. Don't remember the name of the DD, but the brothers were all Sullivans. Since then I don't believe the US forces will take/draft the last son to a family if others are serving.

900F

 

[10-Ring]

Go home at 3pm? How bad can that be? Be thankful! Good luck & take care

 

[Delmar]

The Sullivan's died on the USS Juneau. BTW, the Sullivan law is a myth in that there is a policy which is supposed to divide up siblings, but it is not an absolute restriction.

Both of my older brothers and I were in the Army at the same time, and my eldest brother and I were assigned to the same company in ROK in the early 70's, back when you could still draw hostile fire pay. No special permission was needed-I was supposed to go to A company and he was already assigned to B company, and a mere request at the AG was all it took.

MicroBalrog-wishing you the best of times in Basic as well as your military career, however long it is. One thing is for certain-you will never forget your time in basic training. That, I promise! My son reports for Army basic training August 8th-he turns 18 on the 5th of August, and has enlisted to be a medical corpsman with the idea that he will become a respiratory therapist. About time SOMEBODY in my ancestry used their government service time to learn a profession worth something on the outside!

 

[Baba Louie]

Congratulations (I think)

A good friend of mine did three tours in the IDF back in the 80's. Walked all over Lebanon carrying a SAW. Said he only got really scared once. Uri told me that those three years were some of the best of his (then) young life (He's now an architect and realtor living in Las Vegas). He met his future bride (American JAP) whilst on duty at a kibbutz (west bank).

After listening to his tales and meeting his parents and brother on a visit here, it seems to me that anyone living there is in a combat zone tho' so I wouldn't really worry or be disappointed about the (no) combat arms. It's a good thing (can't keep the old population ball rolling if only male offspring is KIA) in a way.

The next couple of years could prove to be real interesting for you micro, given the current situation with the palestinians.

Stay safe. Keep us informed when ya can without giving away too many secrets.

Adios

 

[bogie]

One thing - don't expect basic to be all that hard core... Remember that it'll all be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. Try to spend your time helping the slower troops, or you'll go nuts. DO NOT blame them for being slow.

Now, when I was in basic back in the eighties, we had a guy who'd been in the IDF in my basic training company (he'd moved to the U.S., and couldn't cut it somehow, so he joined the army). One of the least-proficient troops I've ever known. Seems there's a LOT of slackers around...