After the ship sank, we came to rebuild it: IDF fights for the future of the Bedouin battalion

The Desert Reconnaissance Battalion (585), composed entirely of Bedouin soldiers, has begun its first comprehensive training exercise at the Tze'elim base since October 7. The battalion was without a permanent commander for seven months after its previous commander was wounded, leading to disciplinary decline and a smuggling affair. The new commander, Lt. Col. Sh., is leading a rehabilitation process, with 75 new recruits expected.

The Desert Reconnaissance Battalion (585), composed entirely of Bedouin soldiers, has begun its first comprehensive field training exercise at the Tze'elim base since October 7. The battalion was without a permanent commander for seven months after its previous commander was wounded. During this period, discipline deteriorated, culminating in a scandal involving soldiers in smuggling operations to Gaza, which led to the battalion being moved from its sector. The new battalion commander, Lt. Col. Sh., an officer who rose through the Givati Brigade, has taken on the mission of rehabilitation. He is dealing with disciplinary issues, addressing the soldiers' mental health, and trying to restore the battalion's image. In the upcoming recruitment cycle, 75 soldiers are expected to enlist, compared to an average of about 20 over the past decade. The soldiers express hope for change but also frustration with the stigmas attached to them. The article presents the rehabilitation efforts, including projects for civilian assistance and tailored mental health care.