Turning Over a New Leaf: Young Criminals Who Became Combat Officers in the IDF

A magazine feature about Lieutenant Y., who grew up as a detached youth in Jerusalem, became entangled in drugs and arrests, and became an officer in the Paratroopers. The article describes his personal journey from the city streets, sleeping on benches and loneliness, to commanding soldiers. Y. speaks about the change, his deep familiarity with Jerusalem's alleys from his dark period, and the feeling of becoming the "complete opposite" of who he was.

An i24NEWS magazine feature presents the story of Lieutenant Y., a Paratroopers officer who grew up as a detached youth on the streets of Jerusalem. Y. describes how he hit rock bottom: he left a religious-nationalist home at age 15, slept on the street and in playgrounds, became entangled with drugs and arrests, and lived in great loneliness. He speaks of his deep familiarity with the city's alleys and the period when he lived on the street, stole from supermarkets, and hung out with friends. According to him, enlisting in the IDF opened a second chance for him. He describes the beret march he underwent in areas where he used to use drugs, and the feeling of becoming the "complete opposite" of who he was. Today, Lieutenant Y. commands a Paratroopers outpost and is responsible for soldiers. The article focuses on the personal change he underwent and his life trajectory from the street to military command.

Turning Over a New Leaf: Young Criminals Who Became Combat Officers in the IDF