An ounce of brain is worth a ton of brawn, always has.

Clear thinking, strategy, being able to size up what is going on, discerning right and wrong actions, thinking quickly on ones feet in life endangering moments. While cyber is important and can help, it is the man on the field who has to deal with the very real events of war and battle, and make moral decisions and consequences which no computer scenario can give an answer to. To see what is actually happening you need to be there, not on a computer. Cyber is a good support, air support is more crucial in some cases. Real combat is about intelligence and courage with strength.

Any army would be foolish not to take advantage of the cyberworld to defend the country. Is there some significance in the designation "combat soldier" I don't understand?

Mark, do not fail to account for this as a storyline, a journalistic structure requiring "pro" and "anti" points. The IDF may have a much more balanced view, in fact. Do take everything you read at face value.

Of course Colonel (Res.) Yair Cohen is correct with his assessment of "technological power" ! Cohen is looking forward into the future, when Intelligence will be even MORE vital than is is today. Nobody (with BRAINS) should plan physical military combat, while neglecting vital Intelligence and Spoofing techniques.

The battlefield has changed, its now rockets, drones and missile defense. The home front is now the new battlefield. Grunts, although still needed are less and less important. Times change !!!

The use of definitions should be your biggest problem! With the enemies it has to face Israel must plan and prepare its needs for all scenarios of warfare without neglecting either front line combatants or high-tech cyber warfare specialists.

If you want to sabotage an Iranian nuclear site then the soldiers with their computers who clock off at 5pm are ones at the front line because they design the computer viruses. If there is an invading army at the front door the front line soldiers will be the Golanis and armoured corps whilst the techies will sip coffee in an air conditioned building. If the enemy is attacking from the sea you don't want the men with tanks or computers you want the navy with their missile boats and subs and if you need bombs dropped you get the airforce. The IDF is like a body and each unit is like a limb and non of them are more important than others because you need all of them working together to survive. There are plenty of smart people around for all services.. Sounds to me like the different branches of the army wanting to compete for who gets the majority of the brightest the way they compete for the largest share of the budget, everybody thinks they are the most important and deserve the most recourses.

1) You can't hold ground with bits and bytes. 2) Cyber Soldiers Sleep in warm beds every night and are not fired upon. 3) Cyber Soldiers leave the Army with a very good profession. 4)The responsibility that these young men and women take and are given is unparalleled in the civilian market and is very valued in the civilian market. 5) Ground troops after 3 years are Unmarketable.

Soldiers serving in intelligence units are more than amply compensated in the job market. I doubt there is a need for a financial bonus to these units as there are plenty of candidates relative to the open spots.

It's not even funny, how true that it! especially points 3 and 5! there is a saying in Israel! roughly translated" No BRAIN, yes Brawn! being a combat soldier gets you social respect, but is pretty much useless after your get discharged! unless you were smart enough to go for officer's training!!!

You have just restated the principle of horses for courses Human intelligence is the most valuable commodity and recognised as such, with each to do what they can and get what they are valued at. Does not seem fair? That is the law of life