Not with our merits shall we measure the value of man, rather with acknowledgment of obligation.  Man has a term for acknowledging obligation and it is called defense.  Military service is a service of society and nation, defense of Israel's citizens and residents is and has always been the ultimate goal; and is also the ultimate expression of love of Israel.

Enlistment statistics and armed service represent 90% of readiness to fight which places defense based patriotism before the patriotic desire to live in the land.  In the last three years, there is a preserved level of readiness to fight: 92% say they are willing to fight for the state; however, almost 28% of men and 44% of women do not enlist in the army.

Within the women not enlisting in the army, 33% declare they do not enlist for religious reasons, a third of which have been found to be fraudulent.  Almost half of the men who do not enlist declare an exemption for reasons of emotional health.  The I.D.F. does receive youth ready to fight, but the decline in enlistment is still hard to swallow.  The evasion of army service is not solely the problem of the army, but of the entire country; whether regarding legislation, compensating those who serve, and denunciating evaders.  With the declining birth rate, we can expect a natural decline in those enlisting in the I.D.F. in the amount of thousands of soldiers.

The I.D.F. explores additional goals by means of its soldiers.  The claim that the I.D.F. terminates positions easily is correct and therefore, positions are fought for fiercely.  This issue is not leaving the daily agenda; additionally, we can see a great civilian awakening in battles over municipal leadership positions, school principals, legislators, advertisers, and so on.

Over the last few years there have been changes.  Israeli society is going through global processes based on individualism with less emphasis being placed on the collective. The liberal ethos transformed a messiah of obligations into merits.  More soldiers are testing what they will receive from army service.  The army has no choice but to protect its ethos.  Demanded is the necessary suitability to its values.  According to the I.D.F. assessment, military service contributes much to the good of society.  The young generation is cynical, but alongside this, has some values.  For this young generation even if the homeland commemorates something distant, there are things, such as friendship and brotherhood of fighters in sweat and blood, that translate into a readiness for mutual aid which came to fruition in an obvious manner in the Second Lebanon War. Another important fact is the level of patriotism in those aged 18-24 which is greater than the level of older age brackets.

In the I.D.F. education system we use the term "Love of the Homeland" and not the term patriotism.  Love of the homeland is a foundational value in the spirit of the I.D.F. as one of the three values next to defending the state and the honor of man.  Additional terms in the spirit of the I.D.F. are: homeland, the state of Israel, and the Jewish nation.  The term "homeland" is a simple term that is isolated from political questions of borders.  We do not and it is incorrect to obligate them to love, however, we create this love through close assimilation.  A loyal soldier will have a natural tendency to loyalty, obligation and dedication.  Every person can take these tendencies upon himself.

The mission of the I.D.F. is to defend the state, its independence and its sovereignty, to be victorious over the terror and in war.  There are those who say that via education the I.D.F. will fulfill its missions better.  That is to say, that if the soldiers better understand the significance of defense they will reach the target better.  If they understand the broader aspects, such as the right of Israel's residents to life and familiarity with the land they are defending, the result and the action will be better.

The law of security service and acknowledgement of the national army are in the realm of the government.  The army is a unique and exclusive meeting that presents an opportunity for the soldier, his values and affinity to the land.  Most of those enlisting enter the army with only a basic education, and therefore most of them are introduced to a foundation of values upon enlisting.   After their service soldiers go on to different directions, the majority to civilian professions.

The I.D.F. provides a fair opportunity to all those who enlist.  The different units are open to both men and women, immigrants new and old, etc.  The I.D.F. has an obligation towards the physical and emotional well-being of the soldier who is in its trust as a deposit, and from this stems the obligation for the individual and his up-keep.  The cultivation of the soldiers and commanders comes to fruition in different ways, such as educational seminars, personal example, activity briefings, and so on.

The education for the love of the land, the sacrifice on the battleground, these are what strengthens the patriotism and can change the I.D.F. into an educator.  The spirit of giving and volunteering are expressed in mandatory service and in the reserves.