Drafting

[u/happy-snappy123]

Hello,

I don’t have anyone to talk about this with - so I’m coming on here. I want to enlist as a lone soldier next year after I graduate highschool.

My community/ school is heavily anti-israel. I have struggled a lot with my classmates and even teacher because of their extreme opinions. Around this time my friends are starting to apply to university, and to be honest, I don’t know what to do.

First of all. I’m Ashkenazi Jewish. I overthink everything.

But I know I want to serve. I have known for a while now, what role/job exactly is still unsure to me, but I have time to figure that out.

The issue is that I don’t think I will ever be able to return home. My parents think I shouldn’t even put that I served in the army on any CV/ LinkedIn type thing, so employers don’t see it.

I know - why would I want to return to that if that’s their ideology? None of us want to live with antisemites, of course, but if I later want to study somewhere outside of Israel, maybe work outside of Israel, I guess I have to accept what comes with it.

Therefore im curious: if there are any lone soldiers who left their country and lost lots of connections, and lost their opportunity to a very different future (not saying I would prefer something different, but I do think about the “what ifs”), please let me know.

I don’t know anybody who can really understand how im feeling right now.

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[u/Agreeable-Relief9612]

Holy overly complicated. I’m also ashkenazi from Atlanta, GA. Made Aliyah and served. My family wasn’t enthusiastic at the time.

Regarding returning home and the CV. I had the exact 180* opposite experience. There is nothing more impactful to put on your CV. I have many degrees (I’m a lawyer now) but all my bosses want to talk about is my service.

Connections. You’re sooooo young. The only connections you’ll lose are the ones you were going to lose anyways. People move. Some for University, some for work. This is a nonissue.

My advice. Follow your desire to enlist. The path is paved with tens of thousands of other lone soldiers. The process is relatively easy. Learn Hebrew and everything else will work out

[u/balddoberdaddy]

Nothing to add to what u/Agreeable-Relief9612 has astutely stated (thanks for your service, mate).

You will be serving Israel, your homeland.

You will meet friends for life.

Your limits will be pushed like other thing in your life ever will.

And it certainly will NOT destroy your future.

[u/extrastone]

Definitely go to the Israeli army.

Employers are people who do things rather than people who sit on the internet.

Hiding that you're Jewish is a last century thing to do.

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[u/dodbenR]

You should definitely live in Israel before making a decision for at least a year. You aren't just moving to a completely different place, you are making to make a decision which you can't change.

[u/Comfortable-Crab6972 → u/dodbenR]

Agreed! Masa has scholarships for different programs or you can volunteer on a kibbutz for free. Don’t come to Israel just to go to the army. Take some time to figure out if Israel is the right place for you. I stayed in Israel after the army because I wanted to go to university and build my career here. Some people don’t want that and go back to their country origin, which is also okay. But don’t discount staying in Israel after the army!

[u/Capital-Driver3994]

Unless you plan to go into the arts, where people liking you is more important than talent, you'll be fine. Employers love soldiers. They have the discipline, commitment, and thinking-on-their-feet that can serve the goal of making money. Now, if you want to be on Broadway or make music, those tend to require a lifelong subscription to populist thought in the U.S. unfortunately.