The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen.Gabi Ashkenazi. Archive Photo: IDF Spokesperson

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“Despite all of the obstacles, the IDF will remain an army of the people.  A professional army is not an option for us because our skill will deteriorate significantly.  Our goal is to increase the draft quota by combating the draft dodgers, making the most of our enlistees, promoting service among the youth of Israel, and  other activities that encourage the draft rate.  We’re fighting for every enlistee,” explained the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen.Gabi Ashkenazi, during in his speech given at a Senior Officer’s Assembly, held on Monday (Sept. 22) an IAF base.

The assembly was held in light of the IDF and Israel’s 60th anniversary, and it dealt with the service personnel and their central role in the IDF’s strength and stability.  The assembly was attended by IDF colonels, brigadier generals and major generals, and featured displays regarding trends in the IDF, with a special importance placed on human resources processes.  These trends show that commanders are the leading human resources advantage.  In addition, various tools and methods used to take care of human resources challenges were discussed.

Regarding the Reserve Corps, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi said: “Reservists needs to feel relevant.  They want to know what their mission is and we have to give them both the commanding and professional solutions.  The Reservists Law is the expression of an important message.”

A week ago, the Chief of Staff authorized the yearly human resources plan in a special senior staff meeting.  The plan dealt with the compulsory service, reserve duty, career service and the civilian population working in the IDF.  There, the Chief of Staff also said that the IDF will continue to operate as the army of the people.

The human resources plan includes the annual intelligence and strategic report that is determines the main goals for the coming year and for the operational response to threats.