Army to draft low profilers
IDF to recruit people with lowest mental, physical profile; until now those with medical profile of 21 exempt from service; sources say initiative stems from shortage of manpower
TEL AVIV- The IDF is set to recruit people with medical profiles of 21 (lowest classification) due to a shortage of manpower, the army’s official newspaper “Bamachane” reported.
Until now people with this classification were automatically exempt from military service. Those who chose to enlist, despite their low profile, would volunteer under certain conditions.
Head of IDF Personnel Directorate Major-General Elazar Stern said last week the IDF would open positions previously closed for soldiers with medical profiles of 64 and under.
He added that the army would apply stricter criteria regarding soldiers who would file for a medical profile of 21 on grounds of mental health issues.
He said the initiative was formulated due to a sharp drop in compulsory service and reserve duty troops.
The number of soldiers is expected to drop by some 15 percent within the next five years due to smaller recruitment rounds, the reform in reserve duty service and the reduction in standing army service personnel, Stern said.
The option of shortening compulsory service is currently being weighed as well.
Personnel Directorate sources said the positions slated for soldiers with low medical profiles will be mainly supportive in nature to free up more manpower for combat missions.
“We will see if the medical profile that prevents a soldier from serving in a combat unit prevents him from serving a non-combat role,” Stern said.
In the past year the number of troops who have received the exemption has risen by 0.2. percent.
