Super Mario Bros. syndrome

There is a lack of combat soldiers in the Israeli army. That is a fact. Technically, every male is required to go into combat, but for medical reasons (or other reasons) many of them do not. So the Israeli army did something very smart. They began accepting girls into combat units, even designing a special unit to include girls. This kills like 83 birds with 1 stone. The girls feel "equal", get to walk around in boys' uniforms, etc. and they have found more people for combat. That said, they are still very careful with where they put us. We guard on a border more famous for drugs and prostitutes than for illegal weapons or suicide bombers. In my service I will never run a mission and chances are I will never use my gun.

The combat boys have their own opinions about what we do. Some are impressed while others talk about how we are "wannabe" combat. I realized, though, that someone has to do our job. No matter what, the IDF has to put forces on these borders. If we weren't there, it would be the boys. The idea that I will not kill someone in my service doesn't make me feel less combat and the dumb boys who have not yet absorbed the weightiness of killing another human being deserve a smack in the face and a billboard-sized sign that says "THIS IS NOT SUPER MARIO BROTHERS. IF YOU DIE, YOU DON'T GET TO PRESS "PLAY AGAIN".

One thing this army does is make you grow up super fast. One day these boys will learn how serious it really is and I hope they don't learn the hard way.

Comments

[Mark K.]

i admire you for your bravery - and maturity in realizing the gravity of service. i pray for the peace of israel.

[savtadotty]

As one of the citizens you are protecting, I am grateful for the work you are doing. Even if you had a sex change operation and became a male, I would still be grateful! (And I suspect your job is done more effectively without smiling.)

[Yehoshua Friedman]

The reason that the army is taking women into combat or near-combat positions is not because of a lack of men to do the job. It is because of a politically correct social agenda. The fact is that when half of the soldiers in the army are religious, having women up front makes it more difficult for the principles of men who, at least before disengagement, were highly motivated soldiers. The powers that be in Israel have taken something that worked very well and proceeded to fix it. Now it doesn't work nearly as well, and we are all going to pay. The separation fence is a similar case, but that's as far as I go today.

[Kate]

I have two reasons to thank you.

(1) Thank you for making the mature and unique decision to go and serve the State of Israel. It's more than many others would do.

and (2) Thank you for running this blog. I have been considering volunteering for the IDF through Mahal after college (sure, that will make me old, but a little maturity can't hurt a person :) ). Your posts give me more of a feel of what I would be putting myself up to.

So anyway, keep up the good work on both counts!

K.

[Jameel @ The Muqata]

Killing 83 birds with one stone?

Sorry, but by te IDF forcing the issue of female combat soldiers, there are now many religious soldiers (or potential soldiers) who are having second thoughts about joining the IDF.

At the end of the day, if the IDF continues forcing the issue, there will be even less combat soldiers.

Instead of the IDF thinking with its head, it's reacting to a feminist socio-political agenda. You want to volunteer for a comabt unit? Fantastic. But there's no reason to force integration at the expense of the religious sensibilities of many soldiers.

[Wes from MN]

You're very thoughtful and can be proud of doing your part. Blessings on you.