IDF Launches New Prep Programs to Combat Soldier Dropouts

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a new initiative of "Hazanak" (Launch) preparatory programs aimed at boosting motivation and reducing the significant rate of soldiers dropping out of service. These programs are designed as a response to a growing trend, with 8,000 soldiers having left their service in 2025 alone, a number described by senior military officials as a "plague." The majority of these dropouts occur within the first six months of service.

The Hazanak programs offer several formats. A three-week program runs between the 11th and 12th grades, focusing on improving personal data, physical and mental preparation, exposure to the IDF, meeting commanders, and enhancing motivation for meaningful service. A longer, six-to-eight-week program takes place between high school graduation and enlistment, aiming to build resilience, improve fitness, and equip recruits for military life. Specialized programs are also available for specific units and roles, including combat units like the Givati Brigade, armored corps, border infantry, and intelligence roles, as well as technical and technological positions.

Additional programs cater to specific populations, including new immigrants, with an eight-week course emphasizing language skills, and a program for the Bedouin community and other minorities. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to address the 12.5% dropout rate in 2022, which rose to 13% in 2023 before slightly decreasing to 11.3% in 2024.

Early results from a pilot program in 2025, which involved 450 teenagers, and the current season, which began on June 28, 2026, and has already enrolled over 1,200 participants, are promising. Surveys indicate high satisfaction rates, with 88% of participants expressing satisfaction and 97% recommending the program to others. Crucially, 96.5% of graduates who have enlisted have integrated into meaningful service roles, with 47% serving in combat positions. Furthermore, 66% reported increased awareness and desire to contribute to the country, and 70% noted significant improvement in mental readiness for military service.

Officials noted that while initial challenges existed, the program is expanding through word-of-mouth. They have 2,500 registered participants for upcoming cycles until March 2027, with 8,000 available spots. Future plans include integrating these programs with youth boarding schools. The IDF is also increasing the staff-to-trainee ratio in response to disciplinary incidents, recognizing the need for more precise preparation methods. The shorter program format is seen as an expansion of options for those who may not opt for longer, traditional preparatory courses.