New personal equipment program
Photo: IDF
IDF launches new equipment initiative
A new program was launched wherein newly enlisted combatants will receive a magnetic card which they can use to buy personalized equipment; they will also receive new, state-of-the-art combat equipment once they finish boot camp.
The IDF has launched a new self-equipping program for combatants, whereby every new combat soldier will receive personal and combat equipment according to their needs and role in the army.
The program is essentially divided into two parts: first, every enlister will receive a personal magnetic card, with which he can buy clothes according to his needs.
Second, after finishing boot camp and beginning advance training, combatants will receive a duffel bag filled with new combat equipment worth about NIS 10,000, including things like a new specialized helmet, goggles, modular tactical vest, combat gloves and more.
Photo: IDF
Photo: IDF
The soldier will keep his personal equipment throughout his military service, thus saving him the need to return it and sign up for another set every time he changes course or unit. "That way the soldier will take better care of his equipment, which will reduce wear and tear," an army officer in the logistics unit explained.
"The other aim is to stop the need for soldiers to have this equipment purchased by their families, as it has been until today. This is equipment which the army is required to give its soldiers. In the future we'll expand this to the reserve as well."
Photo: IDF
According to the officer, this process has already begun "quietly" over the last year, and so far about 5,000 personal equipment sets have been distributed. "In every enlistment cycle we invest NIS 50 million in the program and over the coming year we will invest NIS 200 million in it, in addition to ten million dollars for equipment we buy from abroad.
"Soldiers up until now have felt bitter about not getting the best equipment, and some even visited shops and stores to get properly equipped. This program gives us a solution to this problem, though we will know if the project will be successful in solving it only in about two years, after it gets on the right track."
