It's time for the Chief of Staff to put on his dress uniform

Ofer Shelah and Dr. Idit Shafran Gittleman argue that the IDF's chronic state of emergency, three years after October 7, is eroding its commanders, soldiers, and values. They call on the Chief of Staff to stop wearing combat fatigues and switch to a dress uniform, as a symbol of moving from a wartime routine to a routine of force-building, disciplinary and value-based rehabilitation, and recognition of resource constraints.

Ofer Shelah and Dr. Idit Shafran Gittleman argue that three years after October 7, the IDF is in an unprecedented chronic state of emergency that erodes its commanders, soldiers, resources, and values. Its senior commanders, scarred by the trauma of failure, speak in a double language: on one hand projecting operational achievements, and on the other repeating the declaration that all fronts are open. They wear combat fatigues every day to signal "we are at war," but this behavior creates command ambiguity, opens the door to disciplinary laxity, and prevents the military from beginning an essential rehabilitation process. The authors call on the Chief of Staff to "put on a dress uniform" – to return to routine, discipline, resource constraints, and recognition of attrition. They warn against the reckless use of emergency orders that harm reservists and their families, and demand proper investigations and command accountability in cases of suspected violations of combat values. In their view, the desire to be ready at all times may actually harm readiness for the next war.