Combat medics
Some combat medics to lose combat benefits
Combat medics serving in Hebron report that their classification is to drop from 'combat' to 'combat-support,' resulting in a reduction in pay, inter alia, despite their serving in combat zones. The decision is only now being implemented despite its originating in 2014.
Soldiers serving at the battalion medical aid station of the Judea Regional Brigade, which includes the Hebron District, recently reached out to their commanders asking not to have their status as combat soldiers removed from them.
Soldiers serving as combat medics were recently told that the army intended to reclassify them from combat soldiers to combat-support soldiers. This practically translates to a drop in monthly pay in the hundreds of shekels, losing the two-thirds scholarship granted for a bachelor's degree and a reduced discharge grant. In addition, the affected soldiers feel that their contribution on the battlefield is being held in lower regard and are insulted by the IDF's decision.
The controversial move stems from the IDF's decision two years ago to set out guidelines of combat status. It was decided at that time that medics serving in regional divisions would continue to hold that status, but with the proviso that they had previously served in a combat unit classified at the highest level of potential danger. This excludes those who transferred from their training as combat soldiers to positions as medics at a district battalion medical aid station.
IDF sources said that although this 2014 decision is only being implemented now, the army would make no attempts to retrieve the funds already paid to the affected soldiers.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit released a statement in which it said that the IDF was re-examining the classification of operational levels, which was begun with their decision in 2014.
