In the Army

I finally started. On Wednesday the 20th, I spent a interminably long day at the induction center getting vaccinations, pictures taken, and generally poked and prodded as well as getting my uniform for the first time. I have to say it was a great feeling to put on the olive green uniform of the IDF. For the first time, I was a soldier protecting my country and it felt wonderful.

Wednesday night we drove to our base in Arad. There I had a interview with a social worker and was directed to the tent that I will call home for the next 4 months. I won't bore you with details about army life. Its enough to know that it is and isn't what you would think it is. The little stupid rules and regulations of every army about time, polishing your boots etc are true. But what I have found is that individual soldiers can really turn to their commanders about anything without feeling like they are going above their station. Maybe its an Israeli thing, but the flippant way soldiers talk to their superiors is funny and incredible.

Anyways, about me. I went to an intensive three day tryout last weekend for the special brigade of my division. I did this because the soldiers in this brigade are more motivated, more professional, receive better assignments and gear and on the whole it is a more interesting service. The companies in this brigade are specialized in things like communications, missiles, and recon so I am interested to see if I made the tryout and where I will be placed.

If you want to hear details about the tryout, message me and I will tell you but suffice it to say that it melded into a three day nightmare that consisted of army crawling over rocks and thorns, sprints, marches with 75 kg stretchers, group activities, digging trenches, eating combat rations (lots and lots of tuna) and drinking incredible amounts of warm water.

I am about to head off to the army tomorrow and its late but hope you guys enjoy the image: