Army of Israel. Armed forces of the state

The IDF, known as the IDF (in Hebrew), is the armed forces of the State of Israel, consisting of ground forces, air forces and naval forces. This is the main and only body of the Israeli security forces, which has no civil jurisdiction in the state. The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff (Ramatkal), who reports to the Israeli Defense Minister. Lieutenant General Beni Ganz is a Ramatkal, starting in 2011.

What is characteristic of the Israeli army throughout its diverse history is the desire for innovation, the constant maximization of the resources at its disposal (both technological and human).

The army of Israel always pays much attention to the importance of improvisation in order to protect small and vulnerable areas of the country. It was designed to meet unique defense and security needs within the borders of its own state, tuning itself to advanced technologies.

It has obligations to maintain meritocracy and has proven its ability to work with hundreds of thousands of immigrants, with people who are refugees. I must say that almost a quarter of the current officer corps are former immigrants.

The army of Israel (its officers and soldiers) represents an association of people from various social and religious sectors of society: from kibbutzim, from developed cities, Druze from the North, Bedouins from the South, Jewish volunteers from other countries of the world.

The history and formation of the Israeli armed forces can be described by the example of contrasts. On the one hand, it is a modern army officially founded in 1948 by order of the Minister of Defense David Ben-Gurion as a draft from the underground paramilitary organizations "Haganah", "Etzel" and "LEKHI".

Today the army of Israel is considered one of the most professional and effective in the world. Air forces, special forces, reconnaissance, engineering units were the first in the world to apply many innovative tactics that are studied in the armies of other countries. Technologies of ballistic missiles, electro-optics and other areas are almost always world-class breakthroughs.

Research subdivisions make a huge contribution to the field of advanced technologies, the use of which is much broader than just the introduction into armament. Soldiers from these units after graduation are highly regarded in civilian occupations. They successfully adapt their military experience in such areas as programming, medical research.

On the other hand, the Israeli army preserves the traditions and symbols typical of the ancient Israelis. It is considered one of the most informal and least hierarchical. Usually, when officers eat and sleep in the same room with their subordinate soldiers. The Israeli army performs an important educational function, providing special courses for illiterate recruits, organizing allowances for soldiers from disadvantaged and poor families. In addition, the giving of honor and parades is minimal.

It differs from most other military forces in the world in many ways. First of all, the structure itself, highlighted by close ties between the land forces, air forces and naval forces. The uniqueness lies in the fact that service in the army of Israel is mandatory for men and women. This is the only country in the world in which compulsory military service for women is maintained, continuing the tradition of women fighters who fought during the war of Israel for independence. Men serve for three years, women - just under two years.