Exceptional: Candidate for Colonel – Without Serving Even One Day in the Field

A storm in the Military Rabbinate: Lt. Col. Rabbi Udi Schwartz is a candidate for promotion to the rank of Colonel and a senior position, despite never having served as a field rabbi. Factors in the system oppose the move and warn of harm to motivation.

Ahead of the IDF's placement discussions, opposition is emerging to the promotion of Lt. Col. Rabbi Udi Schwartz to the rank of Colonel and a senior position in the Military Rabbinate. The Chief Military Rabbi, Brig. Gen. Rabbi Eyal Karim, seeks to promote Schwartz, but sources in the system claim that throughout his service, Schwartz has held only staff positions, without serving as a battalion, brigade, or division rabbi. The criticism concerns the gap compared to standard promotion tracks, where field experience is heavily weighted. Sources in the Rabbinate argue that such a promotion could harm the motivation of field personnel. The decision will be made by the Head of the Personnel Directorate and the Chief of Staff.