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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Israel
Index
Traditionally, conditions of service in the IDF were Spartan;
Israeli soldiers served out of a patriotic desire to defend the
homeland rather than for material benefits. During the 1980s,
however, as manpower needs of the IDF grew substantially--
particularly the requirement to attract skilled technicians from
the civilian sector--material considerations became more important.
The nearly continual cycle of increases in pay and benefits were
meant to attract additional manpower and to compensate for the
ever-rising cost of living.
Salaries for career soldiers were linked to salaries in the
civilian sector; thus, compensation for education, skills, and
responsibilities in the IDF was at least commensurate with that in
the civilian sector, where wages were largely standardized. In
spite of the relatively high pay and allowances, conditions of
service were often onerous and comforts were few. Accommodations
within units were austere. Extended separations from family and
frequent relocations were common. Career soldiers received
supplements and benefits unavailable to civilians, but it was
difficult, if not impossible, for a career soldier to moonlight, a
practice prevalent among civilians.
Basic pay was low and, because it changed more slowly than
other salary components, had become progressively less significant
in the soldier's total pay. Supplements were added for cost of
living and families, based on size. Costs of higher education and
free medical care were provided for all family members, and
exchange and commissary facilities offered substantial discounts on
purchases. The IDF subsidized housing in three ways: the IDF could
provide base quarters at minimal rents, long-term, low-interest
loans for purchase of homes, or assisted rentals in the civilian
market. A generous retirement program covered those who had
completed ten years of service and reached the age of forty. Every
officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel or above had a car for
both official and private use; lower-ranking officers had the use
of cars on a shared basis. During annual leave, an officer could go
to one of several seaside family resorts operated by the IDF.
Conscript soldiers received pay and benefits far below those of
the career soldier. Pay was minimal, amounting to about US$25 a
month for a private in 1986. Married soldiers received a monthly
family allowance based on family income, as well as a rent and
utility allowance. A demobilization grant was paid upon discharge,
and unemployment compensation and a partial income tax exemption
were available for up to one year. Discharged soldiers
theoretically received preference in hiring. Former conscripts
choosing to settle in development areas could obtain loans to
purchase apartments.
Pay and benefits for the reservist while on active duty also
were less than for the career soldier. Reservist pay was
supplemented by pay from civilian employment. Employers regularly
contributed a small percentage of the employee's salary to the
National Security Fund, from which the employer then drew to pay
the reservist while he or she was on active duty. Self-employed
reservists could put money into the fund to receive a salary while
on duty; if they chose not to contribute they received only
subsistence pay while on active duty. Reservists could use the post
exchange only while on active duty.
Retired officers received from 2 to 4 percent of their final
pay for each year of service, depending on their job. Retired
pilots, for example, received 4 percent and were said to live quite
comfortably in retirement. In addition, retired officers and NCOs
continued to receive a reduced portion of their in-service
benefits. Disabled veterans received extra allowances and benefits.
Retiring officers usually sought a second career; the IDF helped
the transition into civilian life by offering occupational training
(a course in business management, for example) and by paying the
retired officer's full salary for up to one year depending on rank
and seniority, while the officer searched for satisfactory civilian
employment.
Data as of December 1988
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