Idf or Israel Defense Forces.

¶ … IDF or Israel Defense Forces. These changes are mainly related to the progressive movement from a militia and 'people's army' to a more conventional and consolidated professional military organization. The central aspect that is noted is that the IDF has become an integrated part of the national life and culture of the country and therefore any changes in the IDF will consequently have a concomitant affect on the society.

The article refers to a number of precursors to change in the IDF. Among these are changes in the nature and necessity of reserve duty. This change is also underscored by plans to cut the reserve complement by as much as fifty percent. Another factor that is related to these changes in the structure and makeup of the armed forces is the increased number of conscripts, which is partly a result of comparatively large numbers of Jewish immigrants. These precursors to the change in structure and ethos are also suggested by the increased number of call -- up deferments -- all of which are signs of significant changes in the structural constitution of the defense force. Coupled with this is the increased number of professionals who are being discharged into the larger society.

The move towards a more professional military corps can be seen in the facilities that have been implemented to allow those recruits who are identified as being officer material to ascend rapidly in rank in various fighting units. There is therefore a movement towards an increase of professional staff and their tenure in the military and a related reduction of those who are not in essence compatible with a military career - which again attests to the move from a 'peoples army' to a more permanent and professional defense force.

The causes of these actual and incipient changes in the structure of the military can be related to economic aspects and a reduction of the military budget. However, a far more prominent reason is that the relationship between the IDF and the people has already undergone a change in terms of the erosion of its domestic status. In effect the army has been the subject of increased public scrutiny and often censure. Another factor that has initiated these developments is the change in the operational environment and its various requirements. This also refers to changes in the nature of the threats from bordering states, which in turn has necessitated the need for an active rather than a passive defense shield for the country -- and therefore a more professional and formal military and army structure rather than the implementation of part-time reserve troops.

What is also emphasized is that, while there are changes in the nature of the military, it must be remembered that the IDF it is still a much more egalitarian organization than most other defense forces. In Israel the army is still seen as a calling rather then a chore. At the same time there is a movement towards the perceived need for a more pragmatic professionalism in the armed forces.

An important consideration in terms of the relationship between the military and the social culture is the reduction of military service as a 'rite of passage'. It is emphasized that military service has become an intimate part of the culture and that the demise of this rite of passage must be considered in terms of its societal impact. On the other hand there are also signs that new immigrants to the county are less enthusiastic or concerned about compulsory military service; therefore there may be change within the society with regard to the perceived social importance of this rite of passage -- which in turn would augur well for a move to a more professional and independent defense force.

Another related and important factor is that the structural relationship between the society and the military is changing. In the modern international, political and military environment there is less need for semi-skilled and skilled input from the civilian sections of the society. As the military becomes more specialized in response to new and more sophisticated defense threats, so their dependence and reliance on the civilian sector diminishes.

However, there are still critics who fear that the movement towards professionalism will reduce the positive nation building potential that the defense force has provides in the history of the country. This view is countered by the view that there is a growing need for a smaller and more professional army to meet the challenges of the modern world. This is also related to the concept of 'military role contraction' which refers, for example, to the reduced role of the military in land resettlement. The 'contraction' of the military away from previous roles in the society is an important indication of the development of a more specialized IDF.

The issue of the civil-military relationships is also raised with regard to the unique integration and reliance between the military and civil society. This relationship has resulted in advantageous partnership between the military and civil society. At the same time this reciprocal relationship has also had the negative consequence of impinging on the aspect of military autonomy. This is evident in the fact that military decisions are often affected by public opinion and views, when domestic controversy has been mirrored in the IDF. The article points out that these problems can be avoided by a more distant and professional army.