Fewer new recruits are opting to serve in the IDF's combat units, the army said Monday.
In the latest enlistment to the army, 67.3 percent of those cleared to serve in combat units chose to do so in comparison to 68.9 and 70 percent in August and November last year.
But army officials maintain that a look at the enlistment statistics of the last five years points to the contrary. In 2005, 64.3 percent of soldiers fit enough to serve in combat did so. "After the war we saw larger numbers that pointed a rise in motivation. We believe that the war's influence ended and the figures are getting back to how they used to be," said Colonel Amir Rogovsky.
The Golani Brigade remains the most desirable with 2.1 new recruits on average fighting for a place. The Nahal Brigade is in second place with 1.6 soldiers for each place.
The army also noted that there were fewer teenagers who are aged 18 or over this year than in previous years which explains the slight drop in the number of new recruits.
The army said that of those who did not enlist, 11 percent were strictly religious Jews, a slight increase from previous years.
Last year 10 percent of those who evaded the army service were religious.
This year, 7 percent did not enlist citing health problems and 4 percent for being abroad.