A year and a quarter into the war: Over 100% recruitment in combat units

Combat recruitment soars: Over 100% enrolment in IDF units amid ongoing war

IDF Recruitment Update: Combat Units Hit 120% Enrollment, Women Lead with Record Numbers. The effect of the war on the recruits: In the November-December recruitment cycle, high recruitment rates were recorded for combat units compared to the plan. Golani ranked first with 109% among men. Among women, the Border Patrol Infantry had 134%.

Eliana Fleming | JFeed | 16:45 | 1 min read

Graduation Ceremony for the 69th Cohort of Ground Combat Officer Training Course (Photo: IDF official website)

In the shadow of the ongoing war in various theaters, combat recruitments of women and men took place in the November-December 2024 recruitment cycle over the past two weeks. According to the IDF, this recruitment cycle also shows an increase in the willingness of the younger generation to come and take an active and significant part in the various challenges facing the IDF, as combatants in different units.

In this recruitment, high recruitment rates were recorded compared to the planned recruitment, allowing for the strengthening of various units, and thus enhancing the IDF's readiness for upcoming missions. There was an increase of approximately 28% in the number of recruits for combat compared to November-December 2023.

Additionally, pilot programs have been launched for female soldiers – a gender-specific unit in combat intelligence and a training track for mobile infantry female soldiers. Furthermore, in this recruitment cycle, the IDF began its first recruitment for the establishment of a new engineering battalion, resulting in a recruitment rate of 120% compared to the November-December 2023 recruitment cycle.

The recruitment of the cohort continues, and in the coming weeks, recruitments for combat support roles will take place, roles that are of great importance to the success of the mission and to providing the necessary support to the fighters in the field. Additionally, this cohort will see the first recruitment for the "Hasmoneans" Brigade as part of the recruitment for the Haredi tracks.

Here are the recruitment figures for the combat units among men.

Golani – 109%

Givati – 108%.

Kfir – 106%.

Nahal – 109%.

Paratroopers – 100% (the brigade identifies, therefore planning aligns with execution).

Armored Corps – 108%.

Engineering Corps – 108%.

Artillery Corps – 109%.

Combat collection – 106%.

Combat Infantry – 120%.

Magav – 103%.