Why Do I Still Go to IDF Reserve Duty?

There are approximately 101 reasons why I continue to go to reserve duty in the IDF.

First of all, you’re obligated to serve (until the age of 35 but then some stick around a little longer as a volunteer). Of course, the conversations are always deeper at sunrise, the coffee tastes better with a little bit of sand, you sleep deeper in a sleeping bag (while being alert in full uniform), the long marches are easier with a heavy gun bag on your back, and because military food tastes better than the food at a nice restaurant. Just kidding.

All jokes aside, I continue to serve, because if I don’t serve our beautiful country, who will?

In combination with the deep ideology that characterizes the vast majority of reservists (myself included), it’s really fun to meet up with the guys and to get into the atmosphere. Interestingly, the harder or more demanding the mission is, the stronger our connection is as a team of soldiers. The experience and circumstances unite us.

Before October 7, 2023, I was called to reserve duty about one month a year. Since October 7th, we have served much more often and also for much longer periods of time due to ongoing  threats and attacks (including from Iran’s proxies) which has resulted in the constant need to stand guard at all of our borders, including within Judea and Samaria.

Each reserve duty ‘round’ comes at a ‘bad time’: there’s pressure at work, the community has its needs, extended family comes for a visit from abroad, and more. The first to suffer from reserve duty is the direct family, my wife and children. They run the home front with less hands to take care while worrying about my well-being. That also means no father and an extra load of parenting. The changes between service and ‘normal life’ also means re-finding balance. I take off my hat to single-parent families. I have no idea how they manage, to me their burden seems nearly impossible.

It’s difficult for my wife who cares for our family and home while I serve as a reservist, as suddenly everything falls on her shoulders. What we used to do together as a team she does by herself. For instance, taking care of the children (school, sports, and each with their individual needs as they develop), caring for pets, grocery shopping & meal preparations, running the home and its repairs, spending quality time with the children, making sure everyone sleeps enough, and many more tasks. The home front also deals with emotional stress. Lots of families need emotional care and therapy, especially since October 7, and the stress, worries, and anxiety cause kids to need a strong shoulder from a parent who’s already worn-out. Other kids get behind at school and need a study boost and private lessons.Even though our service comes at a high cost for our family, like so many families within our tiny country, I also feel great pride and satisfaction for having the privilege and the opportunity to serve the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces.

Gratitude

Now, how could we talk about reserve duty without giving thanks? Firstly, I wish to thank God for His protection and for the hand of God that’s on me. I have so many stories of personal miracles that witness His mercy and provision towards our team. I’m so grateful for my life.

On a personal note, I want to say thank my wife, Lydia, for her heartfelt support. I thank my family for their endurance, patience, and willingness to sacrifice to keep running our home front with care and dedication in order to give us fighters the ‘tailwind’ we need in order to succeed and focus, mission after mission. I also thank those who have supported our family by means of a warm meal. That has been a tremendous support which just gave us a break from planning a meal and caring for one night.

I’m so grateful to all the IDF soldiers for continuing to step out and defend our homeland even at such a high personal sacrifice, time and again.

Thanks to our local Roeh Israel kehilah, our loving and supportive community, for taking care that services and activities run properly including teachings, translation, and more.

I’m also very grateful for Netivyah for seeing the needs of the soldiers and providing them with high quality tactical gear, clothing, meals, moral support, and more. These donations have made an essential difference which at times was even life-saving.

Thank you to all of you who fear God and remember us in prayer! Your prayers are so essential and we truly feel your love and support and feel carried by them. May the Lord bless you abundantly in return.

Please keep lifting up our soldiers who guard all our borders. They are all parents and children. For His protection, victory, endurance, for our families, for our nation’s unity, and mostly for Messiah’s return.