Off to the army

There comes  a time in every Israeli's life when it's time to join the army. Israeli law sets mandatory service of 3 years for males and 2 years for females. Aside from that, most of those who serve in the army, especially those in combat positions, also stay in reserves till their early 40s, which means about a month or so of military every year.

The implications of those simple facts are enormous for the Israeli society and culture, in more ways that I can hope to explain.

Last week, my little sister - Shani, now at age 18, joined the army. Plenty of things women can do in the army today, some go and become pilots and fighters just like the Israeli men. Approaching age 18 you hit the usual concern over what it is that they'll have you do in the army, and whether you really want to join the army. Some populations, which include my family, can choose between national service to serving in the army, so that's another something to consider. A very common conflict is usually that of what you feel towards an entity like the army against the intense social pressure that come from the society. Army service, so it seems, is still very much in consensus.

I consider my sister to be very fortunate as she'll have a very cool position in the army. She's going to be a tour guide, taking schools and domestic tourists to special spots around Israel, helping to bond between people and country. Positions in the army aren't all guns and cannons, but still - they make her go through basic training of about 3 weeks to get the "army mind" and training her with "how we do things in the army".

The shock, even in the very basic training for girls who're going to be tour guides, is not to be taken lightly. They take you to a base where you are stripped down of your personality and make you become like everybody else - uniforms, haircuts, vaccine shots, regulations, orders. It might be silly for somebody like me who's been through much worse but I completely sympathize with the trauma of going from a careless do-what-you-want life to a life of 6 little-sleep, tents, marching, running, public bathing, tasteless greasy food, guarding, shooting.

I believe my worse experiences, throughout my entire army service, was having to follow orders from people I had absolutely no respect for, especially stupid orders that made little to no sense. I always had problems with those situations and that has sometimes resulted in great trouble for me with my superiors and "the system". Honestly, I don't think I'm that unique in this regard - I believe the Israeli army is one the most disobedient armies in the world with very little hierarchy and while this might be considered a weakness, it might also be its strongest point.

When special situations happen - you just have to learn how to cope. Some go with the flow, some work magical connections to better themselves, some enjoy the unique experience, some dive deep under till the whole thing passes, some fight the system to the bitter end.

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So, take care, dear. I have a feeling that I'm more worried than you are. Try to make the best of it, stay sane, and who knows, you might even have some fun. Just remember, there's a whole new world waiting for you when you're done.