In the context of war of attrition, let’s consider the example of military organization in a country with the most similar to ours and successful experience. We are talking about Israel, which is constantly in a state of war on its territory. When writing this article, we consulted with Kateryna Kysielova, an acting service member of the Israeli Defense Forces.
he Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – also known as Tzahal – were established in 1948, drawing from the voluntary military formations Hagana, Irgun, and Lehi. A similar process occurred in the Ukrainian army in 2014.
Military service in the IDF is structured into three main categories: conscript service, reserve service, and permanent service
Conscription service is mandatory for all Israeli citizens aged 18-29 for men and 18-26 for women, with a few exceptions (see box). The service lasts 32 months for men, regardless of position, and 24-32 months for women, depending on the position and part of the military. Immigrants and repatriates also have to serve, and there are integration and service programs for them (those without citizenship receive it during or after service). After completing conscription service, military personnel are discharged if there are valid reasons (such as health conditions), or continue their service under contract or in the reserve. For those discharged, there are programs of reintegration into civilian life, which include psychological training, educational seminars, internships with employers etc.
Reserve service implies annual retraining (professional development courses) in regular army units for 1 month. For employers, the National Insurance Institute reimburses the costs associated with reservists (such as minimum wage). Depending on rank and position, discharge from reserve service occurs at the age of 40, 45, or 49.
In case of intensified hostilities, reservists are called up for three to twelve months, depending on their division, position, and rank. Once combat operations stabilize, they are discharged.
Permanent (contractual) service. A permanent service contract is necessary for continuing a military career, but it is only possible after completing conscription service. The contract duration depends on the position and military division. Contracts can be short-term or long-term (for example, 18 months in a cybersecurity unit, 1-7 years in special forces units), but most often, Israeli citizens choose a 5-year contract.
Pregnant women, mothers with children, and Arabs are exempt from the conscription service (the latter can serve voluntarily). This exemption has historical roots: after the declaration of independence, some Arabs remained in Israeli territory, and since then, they have had citizenship, virtually the same rights as Jews (such as voting rights, social guarantees, etc.), and they maintain their own language, religion, and traditions. Starting in 2024, Orthodox Jews and students of religious educational institutions studying Torah no longer have deferral rights and are also required to serve.
And in Ukraine…
Military duty in Ukraine applies to all citizens aged 25-60. Individuals with deferments or reservations are not subject to mobilization. People join military service either through mobilization or by signing a contract. For those mobilized and contract servicemen, the right to discharge (except for reasons such as family circumstances, age, health, etc.) during martial law only occurs when martial law ends or demobilization is announced.
Starting in 2024, military personnel who signed contracts during martial law may voluntarily discharge once their contract term expires. However, the decision to discharge is made by the commander of the military unit or higher command, and the discharged reservist must register with the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) within five days and is subject to mobilization.
From 2025, new contract soldiers aged 18-24 can be discharged into reserve after the end of their contract (which must last at least 1 year) and will receive a 1-year deferment from mobilization. Unfortunately, these new regulations create an unfair situation for those who were mobilized earlier or those contract soldiers who signed contracts before 2025.
Training and selection for the Israel Defense Forces
Starting at the age of 17, young people can undergo two weeks of training and exercises in the paramilitary camps of the GADNA organization, which is part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Although attending the camp is voluntary, it is in high demand, and reluctance to attend a camp without a valid reason (such as health issues) is frowned upon by the society.
Selection and assignment to military positions are based on the recruit’s profile, which is created during the initial conscription. The profile includes a medical examination, an interview at the recruitment office, testing through the KABA and DAPAR systems (psychological resilience and cognitive abilities checks), and the completion of a questionnaire about preferred positions in the military. All new recruits undergo basic military training as well as specialized training. The latter includes exercises and training tailored to their position and personal qualities, such as leadership, mathematical or engineering skills, physical and psychological endurance, etc.
For the most capable individuals there are professional education programs in advanced military technologies. This rigorous selection ensures that the most talented recruits are assigned to and promoted within fields like intelligence, innovation, and high-tech.
And in Ukraine…
In Ukraine, there are non-governmental training programs for teenagers that teach and introduce them to military action and ideology, such as Prava Molod, Centuria, and camps organized by military units or youth centers.
In 2024, the Ukrainian government significantly changed the education system. For recruits, the Basic General Military Training Program (BGMT) was expanded to include the study of modern technologies (such as drones, electronic warfare, etc.), NATO military management principles, and practical exercises at training grounds. Additionally, the subjects “Defense of Ukraine” for schoolchildren and BGMT for students were significantly updated (the latter now resembles a military training program).
However, the system of selection, personnel management, and career advancement still retains many Soviet-era practices, which results in higher ranks and positions being awarded to individuals who not necessarily deserve them.
The interconnection of the economy, army, and education
Since Israel lacks a numerical advantage over its enemies, it prioritizes achieving qualitative superiority in the economy. Factors of Israel’s economic strengths are the state support of startups and innovative companies, focus on development of most advanced military technologies, own military production and exports of defense goods (weapons, software, digital communication systems etc.). Thus, in 2018-2022 the share of Israel in the world weapons exports was 2.5%, which is very close to the share of South Korea whose population is five times larger. And in 2023 (during the active phase of the war with HAMAS) exports of some weapons was at the record high. This approach improves the country’s military potential and provides necessary supplies for the army.
Education and employment systems in Israel integrate military experience into the business sector. Reservists receive “deposit and grant“: the targeted deposit can be used for starting a business, paying for education, purchasing housing, etc., while grant can be spent at a person’s discretion.
The education system includes specialized training for discharged military personnel through dedicated programs and job placement in leading companies. For example, the “High-Tech Warriors” program includes the “Network Security and Cloud” course in collaboration with Rafael (a weapons manufacturer and exporter), and the “Futures for Industry” program within the framework of the national human resources development program Atidim, offers courses for engineers and internships with companies such as Elbit, Siemens, IAI, Microsoft, Intel, Apple.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that Rafael employees are highly skilled engineers with combat and leadership experience, and at Elbit Systems (a high-tech manufacturer of defense, internal security, and commercial systems) and IIsrael Aerospace Industries (a defense industry conglomerate), over 50% of management positions are held by former IDF officers.
And in Ukraine…
Since 2014, Ukraine has made significant progress in weapons production, and since 2022, the volume of production and the number of new products have been increasing very fast. Currently, there are around 500 defense companies in the country, 1/5 of which are state-owned. These companies manufacture armored vehicles (Novator, Kozak, Varta, Bucefal), anti-tank guided missiles (Stugna, Korsar), self-propelled artillery (Bohdana), drones (Magura, Raybird, Shark, Gor, Leleka), 155 mm shells, mines, and missiles (Neptun, Palyanytsya), etc.
In the future, Ukraine could become one of the leading exporters of weapons. However, today Ukraine’s defense industry meets only 33-34% of the army’s needs, with the rest of the weaponry being imported. The quality of supplies (machine guns, mines, artillery shells) does not always meet expectations. Given the trends in modern warfare, state defense enterprises should focus on producing warheads and initiation plates for FPV drones, as these are currently made by small enterprises or even by the military themselves, which does not always guarantee consistent quality.
The reasons for these issues, aside from corruption, include the vulnerability of businesses to pressure from law enforcement and regulatory agencies (inspections and criminal cases), insufficient orders from the government, occasional shortages of raw materials (such as cotton, TNT, etc.), and export bans that hinder the scaling of production. Exporting weapons brings additional revenue to the defense industry, which can be used to expand the business. Moreover, larger production volumes mean lower unit costs and, consequently, lower prices for the Armed Forces, as well as fostering partnerships and strengthening the country’s position on the global stage. An alternative to weapon exports could be financing Ukrainian weapons production by international partners using the “Danish model.”
Financing of business creation by veterans is currently provided through grant programs, which are less efficient compared to the automatic provision of a targeted deposit and grant after discharge (as in the Israeli system).
Punishment for draft evasion
Summonses are sent by mail, by phone or to a personal account on the Israel Defense Forces website. In 2023, reservists required to return to service were transported back from other countries using special military aircraft. Draft evasion is a criminal offense with no expiration date, punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison. After a person ignores summons for the third time, arrest warrant is issued for him/her.
Offenders can also be arrested when renewing their passport, which is required every 5 to 10 years. A criminal record for draft evasion remains in state databases and can negatively impact employment opportunities, banking relationships, and other aspects of civilian life. Reservists and conscripts who ignore summons are banned from leaving the country. Those already abroad also face criminal liability if they fail to return to Israel after receiving a summons without a valid reason. In such cases, they are detained upon crossing the border.
In case of a state of emergency (special period, martial law, etc.), the Minister of Defense may restrict travel abroad either for all reservists or for those holding specific positions.
And in Ukraine…
The situation in Ukraine is very different. Summonses are sent via Ukrposhta, through the employees of the Territorial Recruitment Centers, and through employers upon receipt of a respective order. The introduction of electronic summonses is ongoing: summons can be generated in the “Oberih” system, but they must still be delivered by TRC employees. Draft evaders are subject to administrative and/or criminal responsibility as determined by the court, which may include fines, restrictions on driving, or imprisonment. However, currently, there are no court decisions in cases against evaders, one reason being the non-payment of court fees due to the lack of such expenditure items in the TRC budget. Starting in 2025, TRC budgets will include these expenses. Obstacles to employment for evaders are practically non-existent compared to veterans. Border crossing is allowed for men who are not subject to conscription or have the right to deferral.
Conclusion
The Israel Defense Forces are structured as an efficient system with clear “rules of the game”: a fixed conscription period, a strict but transparent selection process, and opportunities for the most talented individuals to develop both during and after service. Military service is the primary career accelerator for young people and repatriates. Without it, careers in law enforcement, government agencies, and certain defense or high-tech industries are practically impossible.
The army also serves as a means of socialization and an opportunity to be accepted by society, as at any given moment, the conversation may turn to your personal service experience. These factors contribute to the prestige of military service, ensuring effective mobilization and a combat-experienced reserve. For example, in response to Hamas’ invasion in October 2023, 300,000 reservists were mobilized within 48 hours.
Unfortunately, despite successful efforts of some veteran organizations to raise the prestige of the army, service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not become prestigious either during the ATO era or today. Therefore, the military has long been in need of significant reforms, including modern military training, a strict selection process for positions, the elimination of “Soviet” traditions, the formation of a reserve force composed of experienced soldiers, and comprehensive veteran reintegration policies.
NGO “Intention” proposes the following legislative reforms for service terms, guarantees, and conditions:
Conditions for discharge:
- For combat positions, the service term should be 36 months, with at least 12 months spent in active combat zones. For non-combat and rear positions, the service term should be 60 months, using a coefficient system where 1 day in a combat zone equals 3 days of rear service.
- Discharge should only be granted if the brigade maintains at least 30% staffing levels.
- Priority for discharge should be given to soldiers who continue serving after sustaining injuries and/or concussions and those with the longest cumulative time on the front line.
Post-discharge guarantees:
- After discharge, reservists should receive a guaranteed exemption from re-mobilization for 36 months.
- The state should introduce financial incentives for those eligible for discharge but who choose to continue serving. Additionally, short-term contracts (6–12 months) with no automatic renewal should be offered to those willing to return to service.
The NGO “Intention” was founded by the families of service members to protect the rights of military personnel, specifically advocating for the right to be discharged after a fixed term of service.
Photo: depositphotos.com/ua
Attention
The author doesn`t work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have no relevant affiliations
