Reservists Face Career Setbacks Amidst Ongoing Military Service Demands

Reservists in Israel are experiencing significant professional and personal repercussions due to prolonged military service, particularly since the October 7th attacks. The term "reservist" has become complex, even stigmatized, impacting both dating prospects and employment opportunities. While the nation has largely returned to routine, reservist families remain in a state of ongoing conflict, bearing a quiet but substantial cost.

The article highlights that the burden of defense is no longer solely military but also economic and occupational, questioning the fundamental civilian contract. A significant portion of the Israeli public, described as the "Zionist public," carries this burden through frontline reserve duty, families left behind, and the economy, where employers and taxpayers must constantly adapt to large numbers of employees being called up.

Since October 7th, the number of reserve duty days has surged dramatically, reaching approximately 26 million by the end of 2023, compared to 1.8 million in all of 2022. Over 305,000 reservists were called up in 2025 alone, indicating a continuous reality rather than cyclical deployments. This unprecedented scale tests both the serving public and the economy that supports them.

While the state has provided some compensation to reservists and their families, employers have been left with an unresolved problem. A significant majority of reservists, 64%, report professional harm, ranging from delayed promotions to lost bonuses, effectively seeing their careers stagnate or decline. This situation leads to reservists being perceived as a greater risk by employers, undermining their ability to maintain their careers and economic stability, which in turn impacts the overall effectiveness of the reserve system and national security.

To address this, a new initiative called "תו מילואים" (Reserve Duty Mark) has been developed. This voluntary standard aims to recognize employers and companies committed to supporting reservists and their families. The initiative seeks to create a supportive employment climate by measuring companies' practices in recruitment, retention, promotion, and return-to-work processes for reservists. The article argues that the state and government must actively support the economy to prioritize reservists, proposing concrete measures such as financial incentives like tax credits and automatic burden-sharing grants, preferential treatment in government tenders for businesses with the Reserve Duty Mark, and establishing the mark as a measurable national standard.

The initiative was to be highlighted at an event at the President's Residence, bringing together leading CEOs. The authors emphasize that the solution requires genuine steps to make employing reservists a clear business interest, not just a patriotic gesture. Without these measures, the reserve system will continue to erode. The goal is to foster an environment where being a reservist is an asset, not a liability, for both the individual and the employer, thereby strengthening national security.