IDF expected to make historic change for more inclusive combat soldier profile

While there have been numerous reports over several months suggesting that such a change might be approved, KAN News reported first on Sunday that the decision has finally gone through.

The IDF is expected to make a historic change to its system for profiling candidates for potential combat roles, lowering the minimum “score” required to be eligible for such a role to provide more soldiers for combat in an era when the military faces a massive shortage.

While there have been numerous reports over several months suggesting that such a change might be approved, KAN News reported first on Sunday that the decision has finally gone through.

Prior to the decision, the lowest profile a soldier could have and still serve in any combat role would have been 72 out of 100.

Soldiers who received a 64 profile because of some kind of minor, though not insignificant, medical condition were automatically disqualified from consideration.

IDF introduces new profile score of 70 instead of 64 

Under the new system, many soldiers who might once have been dropped from a 72 profile to a 64 profile will instead be dropped only to a new profile score of 70.

This 70 profile score will still allow them to serve in particular combat roles, such as artillery, air defense, certain other air force functions, and additional roles, though they would still not serve in infantry units like the Golani or Givati brigades.

Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 invasion, the IDF has talked about a shortage of 7,000 combat fighters and of 10,000-12,000 soldiers in general, due to the large number of soldiers killed and wounded in recent years, as well as the increased standing army requirements to ensure that future such invasions are not possible.

With no major increase in haredi (ultra-Orthodox) enlistment from the current government, the drop in profile standards, while controversial, has been viewed as one way to handle the issue in the near and medium term.

The IDF had not responded by press time despite repeated requests, prompting speculation that some controversy might still be blocking or delaying the move.