Drafting At 25

Yuval R.

Australia

צנחנים, אוגוסט 2020

My Experience As A Lone Soldier

My name is Yuval R. I am a 26 year old Lone Soldier from Australia and I am extremely happy about my decision to draft into the IDF.
Although I am now happy to be here and to serve my country, that is not to say that there has been times that I wished that I was back in Australia, in the comfort of my parents’ home and working in the real estate company that was paying me triple what I am now making in the IDF.

The entire experience now has been nothing short than breathtaking. Moments of awe and sheer excitement one week, followed by a week of dread and unwillingness to continue.
It was highlighted to me that the decision to make Aliyah and to join the IDF is probably the most meaningful thing I will ever do in my life when I look back and realize that although I had suffered mentally, physically and spiritually during basic and advanced training, I have become a stronger person. I can now look back and say, “I did it”.
After many years of contemplation and internal conflict about whether I should make such a drastic move, it was the thought that I could continue on with my life without looking back and thinking, “I wish I had done that”, or “I wish I had tried”, that really pushed me to finally decide to do it.
It is important to note that I drafted into the paratroopers in Gdud 202 in August 2020 at the age of 25. I finished 7 months of basic and advanced training. Shortly after finishing, I decided that I no longer want to continue to be a combat soldier and found it a more suitable position for me in logistics.

It was a difficult decision to make, but I am an individual that prioritizes my mental health more than anything, and it was not healthy for me to constantly be in a state of stress and anxiety.
The IDF is a massive organization and there is always an option to put your pride aside and serve your country in other ways.
Drafting at the age of 25 had its benefits and also its difficulties. To most of my soldier friends, I was known as “Saba”, which translate to “grandpa”. I had a deep concern for my comrades well-being and always making sure they’re doing okay. I would often provide advice and help during mentally and physically difficult tasks such as long treks and exercise. I felt a sort of responsibility to help guide the soldiers to become the best that they can be.

The greatest difficulty that I faced was listening to commanders who are younger than me and less experienced in life. I often found that their methods of leadership was not efficient and unproductive. Aware that the army works on a basis of hierarchy, meaning the soldiers must build the habit of listening to the commanders without asking too many questions, I had to restrain myself from standing up against the wishes of my commanders.
During the entire 7 months of training, I had contemplated deeply whether it is the right place for me to be in combat. But towards the end of basic training, it was clear to me that for me, based on my life experience, self awareness and mental health being a priority, I had decided that I no longer wish to continue on the path to be a combat soldier and requested to be assigned a position with more autonomy where my skills and personality would be more
suitable and used more effectively.

I am now serving as a Rasap (logistics management) in Bahd 1, Israel’s Officers Training Base in Southern Israel. I am extremely happy that I finished my training as a combat solider and do not regret for one moment all the difficulties that I have faced during the 7 months.

I encourage all of you to push yourself to your limits but also realize when you’re causing yourself harm. It can be mental or physical, but the most important thing is to communicate
what you’re going through with someone you trust. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. It should also be noted that throughout my training I sought the advice of the Kaban (a mental health worker on your base) to speak openly and safely about what I had been going through.
If you are a lone soldier, you have every right to seek advice from a professional and should feel no embarrassment about doing so.

Wishing you all the best of luck in your journey and I am happy to talk to anyone who is needing someone to talk to about anything related to the army. The most I can do is offer my perspective and hope that it helps your on your way.

Yuval