IDF Adopts New Medical Profile to Boost Combat Troop Numbers

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has introduced a new medical profile, designated "70," aimed at increasing the number of combat soldiers. This profile will allow individuals previously assigned a "64" profile due to specific medical conditions to now be considered for various combat and field roles that were previously inaccessible to them. The new profile will be positioned between the "64" profile, which generally precludes combat service, and the "72" profile, which is classified as a combat profile.

This change is expected to enable a larger pool of young men to enlist as combat fighters. The decision will apply to new recruits undergoing initial medical examinations and will not affect current soldiers. The "70" profile opens eligibility for roles in artillery, air defense systems, the air force, and other units, depending on the individual's medical status and the unit's requirements.

The initiative stems from a joint effort by the IDF's Medical Corps and Manpower Directorate. It was prompted by the observation that hundreds of individuals with a "64" profile annually received medical exemptions to serve in combat positions officially requiring at least a "72" profile. Military officials noted that these individuals successfully performed their combat duties, leading to the establishment of the "70" profile as a standardized measure instead of relying on individual exceptions.

The reform addresses a significant shortage of combat personnel. The IDF seeks to broaden the candidate base for combat service by creating a new tier of medical eligibility, reducing the need for hundreds of yearly individual exemptions. The current central profile system includes "21" for non-eligibility, "45" and "64" for non-combat roles, and "72," "82," and "97" for combat service based on unit needs. The new "70" profile aims to create a middle ground, facilitating the integration of more candidates into combat units.