Reserve Officer Balances Command in Northern Front with Managing Polymer Waste Business

Oren Cohen, a reserve lieutenant colonel and owner of Green Polymer, shared his experience managing a business while serving extended reserve duty during the ongoing conflict in northern Israel. Speaking at a Channel 14 conference, Cohen described the challenge of balancing frontline military service with running a waste treatment factory, often transitioning from combat at night to business operations by day. He emphasized the support from government ministries, which is helping expand the factory's production capacity from 500 to 1,000 tons per month, a significant increase with economic potential.

Cohen, who serves as the operations officer of the regular Golani Brigade, has been on near-continuous reserve duty for over two and a half years, with his unit currently active in the Bofor area in the north. He acknowledged the personal and professional difficulties of juggling these roles, including the impact on his business and the emotional toll of losing comrades in battle. Despite these hardships, Cohen expressed a strong sense of duty and commitment to continue serving, supported by company owners who prioritize national service.

He highlighted the complexity of waste treatment, noting that the material usually arrives unsorted, which adds to operational challenges. However, the expansion driven by the Environment and Economy Ministries is expected to contribute positively to the country. Cohen's story illustrates the intersection of military service and entrepreneurship amid Israel's security challenges.