I served in a combat unit way back as a lone soldier before most people even knew about lone soldiers back in the early 80s.

I had amazing support from my Israeli garin members, my kibbutz and my adopted family on a moshav. I also had support from soldiers that I served with and always had invitations for a Shabbat when we rarely even had off. It was a tough 3 years, but I would not have given that up for anything.

Without the support, I may have had a very different experience and I am writing this to let people in Israel know how important it is to provide the encouragement to the lone soldiers. I even remember a special op that we did in Beersheva and I met a young girl who invited me to her family's home. I hope that people are still providing that support.

I am very very sorry for the soldier and his family that committed suicide. I too had a new immigrant soldier that served with me in basic training that he too committed suicide. Still today, I am in tears over that. Again, with that particular soldier, it was not because of his service but apparently several issues for years.

I thank all the soldiers of the IDF for their service and especially the lone soldiers, who like myself chose to serve. Today, because of my service, I am a security professional, specializing on counter terrorism.

A permanent solution to a temporary problem....

I didn't serve in the IDF as I was over the age limit when I made aliyah.. But I'm an olah chadasha and in an extremely bad way mentally and know many other olim through my hospitalizations here etc, that are in the same boat as me. I had no mental health issues before making aliyah.
The problem is a wider one for olim. Extreme loneliness, lack of family and family support, and many more issues. I don't see any human beings from Thursday afternoon until Sunday. Several years here and I've attempted suicide twice.
And trust me, I've tried SO hard and know I've got much strength... But there is only so much one can try and persist, before they break.

immigrants. Being honest ought to be mandatory.

Nobody claimed aliyah was easy.

The harsh truth is that the I.D.F. is tough ,and is a difficult place to survive at times. Sadly, it has to be that way and potential new recruits from overseas should ponder this reality .

lone soldiers are dropping like flies!!Granted making aliah and arriving alone is a massive readjustment and it is not for everyone.
Most anglos from the UK and the USA tend to stick to fellow English speakers and this is fatal.
I made aliyah from the UK in 1980 completely alone and exactly one year later was called up to the IDF.The bid plus was I had started in a kibbutz ulpan so was immediately given a "kibbutz family" and was completely surrounded by Israelis.Secondly I choose to mix with Hebrew speakers only.Yes,it was difficult to be accepted at the beginning.
Those who have problems generally had them to start with I.e. A.D. thought about suicide for ten years before making aliyah.Young people from the UK and USA generally come from families who either pamper to their every needs or sling a credit card in their hands and tell them to get lost for a year or two.
Neither way is suitable to breed strong independent young people.
Strangely Olim from countries like Russia,Ethiopia and Europe are more resilient.
Its strange that the ultra orthodox who come from fundamentalist communities who oppose joining the IDF - their youth are generally from yeshivas who have a high content of youth from the USA.
Plus society today grows up on Facebook- social media- you are brought up to interact on a PC- people loose their abilities to directly interact with people- they loose their skills to be outgoing and independent.
The IDF was the greatest thing to happen to me in terms of integrating and becoming a part of Israel but you have to want it- Israel is not a place to sit and wait for it to come to you.Most people who fail at aliyah would have failed in the USA or the UK.

for the most part only 1% of todays american youth serve
99.999% of american jews will not dream of risking there lives for any reason
retired US ARMY SFC 20 YEARS ACTIVE DUTY AMERICAN JEW RAISED WITHOUT A SILVER SPOON IN MY FOOD

The state of Israel is only interested in Oleh stats. They don't provide sufficient services or assistance to newcomers, other than a bit of financial support and a few booklets!

Until the system changes, many olim like myself will return to their homeland, for a peaceful, stress free life!

O, did i forget to mention the far right wing government policies and the beth dins rule over marriages etc... Until the country makes it more welcoming for the world Jewry, young affluent, educated youth will return to their home countries.

MOST OF THEM COME FROM VERY RICH JEW FAMILIES. 99% OF THEM COME TO PASS THEIR TIME WITH THE IDF.