IDF Human Resources Head Maj.-Gen. Elazar Stern
צילום: גיל יוחנן
IDF to reward ‘star’ troops
New program offers scholarships to Israeli soldiers ranked high by ‘star system’ based on contribution, behavior during service
A new program in the IDF will give soldiers a chance to reap rewards for their service, within the military, and outside it.
The program, initiated by IDF Human Resources Head Maj.-Gen. Elazar Stern, will rate soldiers using a “star system”.
IDF soldiers who have completed their service with exceptional performance will receive various scholarships that will assist them in civilian life.
Soldiers will receive stars based on several parameters, such as: type of service, behavior, and successfully completed courses.
So far, nine different star ranks have been decided on, although it remains unclear whether all soldiers will be ranked from 1-9 stars, or whether up to three stars will be awarded in three categories, such as combat, combat support, and office work.
A computer will be used to calculate each soldier’s rank, but their commanding officer will have the authority to raise or lower the rank by one level.
Sources involved in the initiative told Ynet that combat soldiers would clearly receive a larger number of stars, and as a result, a more appropriate reward upon their release from the IDF.
Still, the army was looking into ways of giving more stars to soldiers that did not serve in combat positions.
The IDF hopes the new ranking method will also be taken into account by public and private companies; the number of stars given to a soldier will serve as a testimony to the quality of their service.
“Our goal is to raise the value of the service, so that every soldier is doing the best service they can. It’s not about handing out prizes, but about getting the message across to soldiers that the IDF and Israel honor good work, and find a way to do so not only with words, but with actions,” military sources said.
