Survey Finds 77% of Israeli Teens Motivated to Enlist, 57% Aim for Combat Roles

A recent survey conducted by retired Colonel Dr. Ronen Itzik among 377 Israeli youths aged 16 to 18 reveals strong motivation to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to the findings, 77% of respondents reported high motivation to enlist, with 57% specifically interested in combat roles. The infantry was the most desired branch at 38%, followed by the armored corps at 14%, and both the Border Police and Air Force at 12% each. Additionally, 33% expressed interest in combat support roles.

The survey also shows that 61% of the youths view the IDF as a winning army, and 75% support the concept of a people's army. This marks a significant increase compared to 2016, when only 22% of teens wanted to serve in combat roles, rising to 43% in 2026. Despite the high enlistment motivation, about 40% of respondents expressed low trust in the senior IDF command, though nearly 60% had moderate to high trust levels, with very few showing very high trust.

Key factors influencing enlistment motivation include education, family background, and a sense of mission. Forty-two percent cited education as the most influential factor, while 38% pointed to their parents' military service. The survey noted that religious state education had a stronger impact on willingness to serve compared to secular state education. Furthermore, 25% said their place of residence affected their desire to enlist, with youths from northern Israel and the West Bank showing particularly high motivation.

The survey was conducted by Dr. Ronen Itzik, CEO of the security-focused youth movement "The Security Advocates," highlighting a renewed enthusiasm among Israeli teenagers for military service amid ongoing security challenges.