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Ever since its establishment in 1948, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has exhibited characteristics conventionally associated with
"people's army." The composition of its force structure has both reflected and reinforced that image. Specifically, the IDF's complement of long-service professionals has always been outnumbered by both conscripts (female and male, now drafted into compulsory military service for, respectively, 2 and 3 years when aged 18) and reservists (principally males, who are liable for additional terms of one month's duty per annum until middle age).(1)
Over time, the IDF's distinctive "three-tier" framework has attained the status of a national hallmark; it has also contributed substantively to Israel's image as a "nation in arms."(2) It follows, therefore, that alterations in the IDF's composition and character are likely to influence the fabric of all Israeli life.
This article argues that precisely such a change is at present under way. Although still retaining many of the features of a militia force, the IDF is beginning to adopt several of the attributes of modern military professionalism that the literature currently ascribes to other contemporary armed services.(3) Revisions in its manpower policies illustrate the nature of the shift. IDF recruitment is becoming more selective and career oriented. As a whole, the force is also demonstrating a heightened sense of occupational consciousness.
To support those contentions, this article will first outline current changes in each component of the IDF's complement. Thereafter, it will analyze the causes of the modifications observed and speculate on their possible implications.
Symptoms of Change
Reserves
Reductions in the burden of reserve duty are the most prominent--and most widely felt--symptoms of recent change in the IDF's force structure. For many years, reserve duty of at least one month per year was a standard requirement for most male Israeli citizens under 54, especially those attached to line-combat units. What is more, emergency decrees often extended such terms, whenever the need arose either to deter major threats to the state's borders or to undertake sizable military campaigns should deterrence fail. Today, however, reserve duty is no longer quite so burdensome. Not only have extraordinary orders for such service become comparatively infrequent; standard reserve terms have also been reduced. Moreover, in 1990 the reserve "ceiling" was lowered to age 45 in combat...