Disabled youths complete basic army training

Group experiences IDF boot camp in special program designed for heavily disabled youngsters who are exempt from military service

Hanan Greenberg|Published: 07.25.10 , 07:47

Some 19 young soldiers recently completed a week of military basic training at Tzalmon base, located in northern Israel. Like all army recruits, they became accustomed to wearing a uniform, going out into the field and firing at a shooting range. However, unlike other soldiers, their recruitment cannot be taken for granted.

The young soldiers are the first to join the ranks of the IDF as part of a unique project designed for recruits that suffer from severe disabilities, which usually grants them an exemption from military service.

Excited recruits during program (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

After many months of preparation and excitement, the IDF concluded the program successfully, and is already preparing to launch the second round.

Over the years, Commander of the Home Front Command base in Ramle, Major Ariel Almog has hosted dozens of youngsters between the ages of 18 and 30, who suffer from severe disabilities such as Down syndrome, mental retardation and hearing disabilities. The groups arrived at the base on a daily basis and were incorporated as much as possible in various missions.

"For them, it provides huge satisfaction and is a dream come true, but throughout the years I've dreamt of giving them something beyond this," Major Almog told Ynet.

Strong Will

"I wanted to make them feel that they are a part of the army and to give them a sort of basic military training," he added.

Almog worked hard at executing his project, and eventually managed to obtain the necessary permission from the instructors, parents, and even senior IDF officials.

Nineteen participants – 10 boys and nine girls – attended the first round of training and arrived at the gates of the base filled with motivation and excitement.

"They went through the usual training process, from wearing the uniform and performing field training, to a trek of over two kilometers and even a shooting range in which each participant fired 10 bullets while in a lying position," Almog said.

Almog admitted that although the project is complex, the participants' strong will was what brought each and every one of them to the finishing ceremony. "They experienced the true spirit of the military, with the symbols, the flag and the weapon. They followed all the orders and were given help when it was needed."

According to Almog, "The participants' fathers came to sleep with them at night, which made the experience extremely emotional for them. Now we are getting prepared for the next round that will start soon. We managed to do a great thing, and although some were worried, the project was completed with great success," he concluded.