Joining the army tomorrow... !

[Alphazero]

Time has simply flown by, and now the big day has finally arrived.

It was only 17 days ago that I took my last exam at HS. Here in Israel, it is compulsory for every citizen to serve in the IDF for 3 years at age 18 (20 months for girls). I'll be joining the Air Force, after passing a series of extremely grueling tests. Pilot Training takes 3 years - the longest and most difficult course in the IDF. After that (success rate is ~15%), you have to sign on for at least another 9 years of service as an Air Force pilot.

On the one hand, I'm very excited to be in a position many people dream of their whole lives. It's going to be extremely challenging and strenuous, but I know that I'm in for what could be the most fulfilling and satisfying experience of my life. I look forward to the opportunity to give 110% and be the best I can be.



However, I still feel so young. I can hardly picture myself in uniform when just a couple of weeks ago I was just a regular HS student. I have confidence in myself and I believe that I have what it takes, mentally and physically, to overcome the hardships. But I still would have liked to have more time for myself. My friends only enlist between August and November. Almost everyone here plans fun trips of a few weeks or a few months overseas to make the most of their freedom, but I have had to sacrifice a lot to make it to where I am.

I am going to sorely miss home and my incredibly amazing beautiful perfect girlfriend (sorry, no pics.... yet ). I'm only going to get home for a day and a half once every three weeks. The butterflies are there in my stomach, but I also have a kind of depressed feeling. My life is about to completely change forever.


What can I say.... Wish me luck

 

[Jhill]

Drop and give me 20.

 

[Booster]

Here in Israel, it is compulsory for every citizen to serve in the IDF for 3 years at age 18 (20 months for girls). I'll be joining the Air Force, after passing a series of extremely grueling tests. Pilot Training takes 3 years - the longest and most difficult course in the IDF. After that (success rate is ~15%), you have to sign on for at least another 9 years of service as an Air Force pilot.

Holy crap. I feel for ya, man!!! Have you ever considered leaving Israel? You could go anywhere... I'm gonna tell you something... In my country (Russia) there's also compulsory military service but never in the hell I will join the army. In fact, I was obliged to serve at 18 for 2 years. But those who continue their education are temporarily freed from the draft... Till they study... So now I'm 24 and I'm still 'studying', and will be for a couple more years. Then I'll fall ill for a year and whoops... Army bye bye... I hate the military. I'd rather die than join the force, that's why I feel for you so much. I wish you best of luck and hope everything turns out fine for ya!

 

Here's to surviving.

"Raises glass"

 

[tnitsuj]

"Hard in Training: Easy in Battle"

I hope you make it to Hetzarim.

 

[rust5tyle]

Good luck to you man! I'm sure that your gf will love the uniform though. Stay safe down there!

 

[Dudd]

At least the Palestinians don't have much of an airforce, so you should be pretty safe.

 

[Gunslinger08]

I couldn't imagine dedicating myself to something for 12 years.

 

[Rogue]

I'd hate to see your F-16 pelted with stones. That would suck.

Good luck!

 

[Booster]

(20 months for girls).

Actually, to think of it, it would be cool if that was imposed where I live, too. In Israel, men and women have equal rights. In my country women are far superior to men in every respect. These girls, you see, they maltreat us guys here b/c we're obliged to serve, and they call it 'our manly problems' and generally they usually not only don't give a crap about it, but there is no respect for those who serve b/c soldiers aren't paid any money for service. Obviously, soldiers are despised here by everybody. If lived in Israel or the USA I probably'd feel it as a great honor to defend my country. But here everything is screwed up and turned 180 degrees, thus soldiers who defend their country are despised and maltreated by everyone. I'm sure if you were a Russian, you wouldn't want to serve just like me, it's not that I'm that bad, in fact I'm much like everybody else.

 

[dirtboy]

Good luck!

 

[PistachioByAzul]

Run away while you still can.

 

[toekramp]

best of luck

 

[PCMarine]

I've always thought being a jet fighter pilot would be totally badass...though a lot of training!

 

[mcveigh]

nice choice. well done sir.

good hunting

 

[tcsenter]

Congratulations and good luck!

Oh, yeah, and just in case you happen upon an United States Navy vessel while on combat patrol, it will have a rather unique identifier that looks a lot like this.

Please study it well so you know what to look for.

 

[freegeeks]

until a few years ago there was also compulsory military service where I live.
When you turned 18 you had to serve for 12 months (only the males).

best of luck