Young Soldiers Released From Service Immediately Called Up for Reserve Duty
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Two young Israeli soldiers, Galb and Noam, released from mandatory service during the ongoing war have been continuously called up for reserve duty, disrupting their civilian lives and careers. Galb has served multiple rotations since December 2023, while Noam has accumulated over 260 reserve duty days. Both soldiers highlight the severe psychological impact and the lack of adequate support systems for returning soldiers. They are receiving assistance from the 'Gab Le'Lohem' association to navigate their transition back to civilian life.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Young soldiers Galb and Noam are repeatedly called for reserve duty after their mandatory service ended during the war.
- Galb has served six reserve rotations since December 2023, postponing studies and career opportunities.
- Noam has accumulated over 260 days of reserve duty, impacting his ability to build a civilian life.
- Both soldiers report significant psychological distress and the loss of friends.
- They criticize the current mental health support for released soldiers as insufficient.
- The 'Gab Le'Lohem' association is assisting them with civilian transition and career development.
Two young soldiers, Galb and Noam, who completed their mandatory service during the ongoing war, have been repeatedly called up for reserve duty, significantly impacting their civilian lives. Galb, who was supposed to be released on October 7, 2023, and was already on his way home for his final weekend, was immediately recalled. Despite cutting his military ID in December 2023, he has since completed six reserve duty rotations and is scheduled for another in January. He has postponed studies, new jobs, and projects, stating, "I avoided starting studies, a new job, a project, because I knew they would call me up for reserves again."
Noam, who finished his regular service nearly a year after Galb, has accumulated over 260 days of reserve duty. He describes the situation as a constant cycle, preventing him from building a civilian life. He recounts how a soldier he trained was killed, prompting him to return to his unit to train five replacements instead of one. He is scheduled for another call-up in November.
Both soldiers describe the psychological toll of their experiences, including witnessing the horrors of October 7th and losing friends. Galb notes that "in my immediate circle, there isn't one person who isn't mentally wounded." They emphasize the need for better mental health support from the state and the Ministry of Defense, as current provisions are insufficient. They also highlight the difficulty many soldiers face in seeking help and the importance of peer support and professional intervention.
To aid in their transition to civilian life, both Galb and Noam have sought assistance from the 'Gab Le'Lohem' association, founded in 2019. The organization provides practical tools for financial management, entrepreneurship, career building, job placement, and mentorship. Noam states, "Soldiers think they are being released and a red carpet awaits them outside, and that's not the case at all." Galb adds that "the released soldier doesn't have a safe enough landing pad."