IDF academic officer tracks expand: 54% surge in four years

A new record in the IDF's academic officer tracks: about 1,250 reservists and academics received academic officer ranks this week. The number accepted into the academic reserve rose by 54% in four years, alongside a record in social diversity—320 women, about 30% from the periphery, as well as Haredim, immigrants, and minorities.

A new record in the IDF's academic officer tracks: about 1,250 reservists and academics received academic officer ranks this week and will begin their service across all IDF corps. This includes about 900 graduates of the academic reserve track and about 350 academics. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of joiners: the number accepted into the academic reserve rose from about 930 four years ago to about 1,430 this year—an increase of about 54%. Meanwhile, the number accepted into the academization track rose from about 180 to about 450, a 2.5-fold increase in four years. Alongside the quantitative growth, a record was also set in social diversity: 320 women, about 30% of acceptees from the periphery, as well as Haredim, immigrants, and minorities. The Head of the IDF Personnel Directorate, Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, instructed to give clear expression to social diversity. The Head of the Support and Logistics Division, Brigadier General Yifat Yeger, said that the academic officer track is one of the IDF's most significant growth engines.