The Israel Defense Forces has been warning for some time of a severe crisis in its career service ranks. Data revealed by Israel Hayom show that because of a wave of departures, almost anyone willing to remain in the IDF is being promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel or major.
Four years ago, about 800 officers competed for roughly 400 lieutenant colonel positions, a ratio of two candidates per job. Recently, only about 500 officers have been competing for the same number of posts. The implication is that nearly anyone who wants to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel, the rank held by battalion commanders and branch heads in the IDF, gets it.
A rapid climb through the ranks
The problem begins at the lower officer ranks of captain and major, where the largest share of high-quality officers is leaving. According to IDF data, the acute shortage of majors has forced the military to promote captains after just 14 months, or at most 18 months, simply to fill positions. In the past, the average time to advance from captain to major was about three and a half years.
As a result, officers who reach the rank of major and assume the heavy responsibilities that come with it arrive less prepared, and they burn out more quickly. Many choose not to continue with the demanding military lifestyle and instead leave for civilian jobs that are usually easier and often better paid.
Months ago, the IDF’s Personnel Directorate rolled out a plan to retain career soldiers, including housing benefits, bonuses and expanded support for service members and their families. The plan has run into obstacles created by the state, including ongoing threats to career soldiers’ terms of service and a continued negative public discourse about their conditions.
Senior IDF officials are particularly frustrated that, despite a High Court of Justice deadline for legislation on so-called chief of staff pension supplements, the Knesset is dragging its feet.
Hundreds seeking to leave
The lack of legislation has already prompted more than 500 officers to submit requests for immediate discharge. The military is trying to delay their departures, arguing that it will manage to resolve the issue with the Knesset.
Originally published by Israel Hayom.
