Yedioth Ahronoth: Only 42% of officers want to serve after the war
An internal IDF poll showed that only 42% of officers in permanent military service want to continue serving after the end of the war on Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 7, 2023.
According to the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the figures as disturbing and interesting and that they stunned the IDF leadership.
“An alarming decline in the willingness of permanent officers to continue their military service,” the newspaper said.
According to a survey conducted by the IDF’s Manpower Division this month, there has been a significant drop in the willingness of permanent officers to stay.
Only 42% answered in the affirmative to the question of whether they want to continue the service, compared to 49% recorded in August 2023.
Such a nine-month decline, during a nearly eight-month war, stunned the IDF leadership.
Yedioth Ahronoth noted that an increase in officers’ requests to retire from the army during the war.
In the survey, officers were asked if they were satisfied with their salary level, and only 30% answered “YES” as 60% of private sector workers answered the same question in the affirmative.
Not surprisingly, there is a gap between the military regime and the private sector, but the double gap represents anger and resentment among those who serve in the military.
Yedioth Ahronoth listed the reasons for the officers’ dismay, “The long war is fierce, the damaged family life of both men and women who don’t see their husbands, boys and girls, inadequate compensation in light of the long working hours along with the pressure and responsibility involved in some jobs.
Yedioth Ahronoth quoted an unnamed senior IDF officer, “Permanent officers feel responsible for the harsh consequences of war, the feeling of failure haunts officers and they don’t want to serve in a failed service”.
