Service.

One of the first things that I learned when I moved to Israel is that everyone has to serve in the army for a certain amount of time. As I understand it, there are a few exemptions to serving in the army: pre-existing medical issues, professional athletes, famous performers (i.e. singer), Arabs, and attending college. However; even if someone did get an exemption for college, after they received their degree, they would still have to serve their time in the army.

In Israel, there is primary/elementary school, middle school, high school, and then college or army (although the last two may be reversed). When a child turns 16 in Israel, they take a test which is similar to the SAT in the U.S. Some people need a high score for what they want to study in the army. For example, if someone wanted to work in the medical field, they would need a relatively high score. Before turning 18, there is combat fitness which is similar to after school programs in the U.S. Then, prior to serving in the army, everyone goes through boot camp which could be weeks or months. Finally, at 18 they begin their service. Most girls serve for 2 years while men serve for 3. Anyone can request additional time to serve.

I am told that after serving in the army, it is common to travel for months before coming back and deciding what to study in college. When I was in Australia, I heard this as well- that it is common for young adults to travel the world to “find themselves.” In Israel’s case, depending on your job in the army (i.e. combat solider), I am told that people also just “need time to breathe.” While the reasons may differ, I think traveling after high school or college should be more common place. I have certainly benefited from traveling in these last few years between my undergraduate degree and master's degree and have found myself in unexpected places. Having said that, I have met a fair amount of resistance along the way, mostly from those living in the U.S.

What captivates me while learning about the army is the honor and pride in the voices of those I talk to who speak about their service. I expected to hear resentment to serving, but instead I hear unwavering commitment and pride. From what I have seen and heard so far, everyone wants to serve and has the understanding that the country of Israel is most important. If someone were to apply for a job in Israel and they had not served in the army, there would be questions, explicitly or implicitly, regarding why they had not served. While there might be disagreement with certain orders, political views, and faith, serving in the army is something that all agree is what needs to be done.

When I asked friends where they had learned this kind of mentality, they responded, “it’s how we grew up.”

I respect that. I also envy those who are willing to die for something. I have never felt that way- about anyone or anything. I have never felt so convicted to do something in the way I hear my friends talk about serving in the army in Israel. I want to acknowledge the people I have met who have requested serving as a combat solider at just 18 or 19 years of age. I think back to when I was their age and I can't imagine willingly accepting and requesting that kind of responsibility.

My teammates tried to offer up a comparison for me: their service to the army is similar to the supporters in England for their English Premier League football team. While it isn’t the same, it helped me to understand a little bit more into their mentality.

I still don’t understand all there is to know about Israel. But what I see is a country willing to die to protect the land and the people who live on this land.