A Civilian Volunteer with the IDF: The Experience Step-by-Step

INTRODUCTION
On October 10, 2024, my article, “Confessions of a Civilian Volunteer with the Israel Defense Force,” was published in the Times of Israel Blog at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/confessions-of-a-civilian-volunteer-with-the-israel-defense-force/. That article, the first of a 3-part series, was about how I came to find Sar-El and the opportunity to become a civilian volunteer with the IDF. This, the second article in that series, is my step-by-step experience as a volunteer experience, to give those of you thinking of volunteering insight into this life-changing experience.

THE DIRECT IMPACT OF BEING A CIVILIAN VOLUNTEER

As a civilian volunteer, you have an immediate and tangible impact on the IDF. You are doing work that would otherwise be performed by first enlisted soldiers, who are replaced by reservists when needed elsewhere – i.e., combat, who are then replaced by Sar-El civilian volunteers when they too are needed elsewhere, i.e., combat.

There are approximately 169,500 active-duty personnel in the IDF. More than 300,000 reservists have been called up since October 7, 2023. Since its inception, Sar-El has recruited over 200,000 volunteers from over 70 countries to provide logistical support to the IDF on its bases throughout Israel. The IDF has requested Sar-El to provide 700 volunteers per day in 2024, up from 450/day in 2023, which translates to 30,000/year part-time volunteers.

CHECKING IN

Every Sunday morning civilian volunteers in the IDF arrive for check in with Sar-El at 8:00 am at the Arrival’s Hall at Ben Gurion Airport; up the escalators on the right to the second or third floor mezzanine. Arrivals Hall, Ben Gurion Airport – Photo by Richard Annen

When I arrived for my first week of service in June 2024, I was part of a group of about 150 volunteers.

Sar-El Check-In at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo by Richard Annen)
Like me, many came as individuals. Others came in groups or with a family member.
Sar-El Volunteers from Australia (Photo by Richard Annen)
Father-Daughter Volunteers from US (Photo by Richard Annen)
Upon check-in you are assigned to a group and then your group meets with its assigned soldier(s), commonly referred to as your Madrich (male) or Madri Chot (female). You are immediately welcomed and thanked for being there to support and defend Israel.
Madri Chot and an Australian “Photo Bomber” (Photo by Richard Annen)
Madrich (Photo by Richard Annen)
I noted that several of the women soldiers styled uniforms to be tighter fitting, folded their pants above their boots, and/or wore their hair as they liked. The Israeli Army is about getting the job done and allowing “uniform flexibility” does not interfere with that primary goal.

You then travel by bus to your assigned, but still unknown military base. New friends are quickly made. This is me and Paul from Australia. We stay in touch to this day.
(Photo by Richard Annen)
Belongings are dropped off in your room in the volunteers’ barracks and you are given your Army uniform to change into.
Volunteers’ Barracks (Photo by Richard Annen)
Proudly Wearing the Uniform (Photo by Richard Annen)
Proudly wearing the uniform with my Sar-El epaulettes and a little more:
Photo by Richard Annen

SERVICE TO THE IDF IS IMMEDIATE

Work varies depending on the assigned base. 90% of the medical equipment used by the IDF in the current war is checked, packaged, and sent out by Sar-El volunteers, as is 85% of ceramic vests assembled for use by combat soldiers. In 2023, volunteers produced 656,910 refreshment boxes; 534,603 field meals; and 174,433 medical packs. Those numbers have increased in 2024 as the war continues and the need for volunteers becomes even more immediate.

THE THREAT IS REAL

As a volunteer, you are serving not only on the frontline of defense of Israel, but on the frontline of the war on terrorism. The goal of every terror organization in the Middle East, and their sponsor, Iran, is the destruction of Israel. From Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank, to Hezbollah in Lebanon, to the Houthis Yemen, to the Shite militias in Syria in Iraq, to their sponsor Iran, the threat of harm is ever present. It is a fact of life for all who live or visit Israel. Israel has adapted to meet that threat. I never felt unsafe.
Rocket attack shelter behind barracks – Photo by Richard Annen

THE DAILY SCHEDULE

You’re in the Army now! While the work environment is relaxed and there is the opportunity to get to know fellow volunteers and soldiers working with you, it is serious business. The daily schedule is generally as follows:
7:45 – 8:15 AM – Breakfast in Mess Hall – civilians and soldiers eat together.
Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
8:15 a.m. – Morning flag raising, with singing the national anthem – Hatikvah, receiving Sar-El epaulettes, and the customary punch in the arm.
Photo by Richard Annen

Photo by Richard Annen

Work – Usually 8:00/8:30 to 12 noon; 1:30 to 4:30/5:00 pm. Depending on base, you may be organizing and packing pack medical supply kits for soldiers, combat medics, and doctors; organizing uniforms and equipment; packing combat food boxes; assembling flak jackets; cleaning weapons; making food; organizing store rooms and warehouses; painting; and anything else needed to be done.
Photo by Marc Ouzer
Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
You will be working under the direction of an assigned soldier(s). It can be hot, dirty, greasy, but always rewarding and appreciated work.
Photo by Richard Annen

Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
Photo by Richard Annen
After dinner there is an evening get-together or program with an invited guest.
Presentation by Israeli Paratrooper injured in war with Lebanon – Photo by Richard Annen

After work on Thursday, you must leave the base for Sabbath. You will travel by bus to the central bus/train station in Tel Aviv. You must arrange for your own hotel or other accommodation for Thursday to Sunday, assuming you do more than 1 week of service.

MY FIRST WEEK

The following is from an email I sent to family and friends after my first week of service:

“Yesterday I interviewed Gili, one of the Israeli soldiers assigned to overseeing us while on base. She is 19. I had wanted to talk with her about my Blueprint to end the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and how Israelis see achieving peace, but that was a “no go.” First, Gili had to get permission from the base commander, and then we were not allowed to talk about the war, the Conflict, or anything related. We talked about her joining the IDF and what she hopes to do while in the IDF and after.
Today when I was boarding the bus to leave the base she was waiting and gave me the patch below that would hang off the shoulder of my uniform and a “Rescue” pin, which I attached to the shoulder patch. I am very honored.
Photo by Richard Annen

Photo by Richard Annen

Before dinner last night we had a group meeting at which we were given tee shirts showing our service with the IDF during this war with Hamas called Swords of Iron War by Israel. Many people spoke about serving and the importance of the work we were doing. When I spoke, I said “I came here as an American Catholic with no Jewish friends. I am now leaving with over 40 Jewish friends.” You can guess the heartfelt reaction, including from the soldiers present.
I am now in Tel Aviv at an outdoor cafe having dinner. The sidewalks are bustling with people, young and old, people flying by on scooters, and cars and motorcycles filling the streets. Cranes for constructing new buildings are everywhere. You would have no idea that 60 miles to the south Israeli soldiers are fighting and dying in a war against a terrorist organization committed to destroying Israel and 100 miles north another terrorist organization is threatening the same thing. But I am now witness to the fact that after over 75 years of constantly facing enemies who want to destroy them, the Israelis have “adapted” to find a way to look like they are leading the normal, happy life we enjoy, and take for granted. But each young girl and boy that passes me knows that when they turn 18 it will be their time to serve in the IDF. I believe that Israelis have been able to adapt because they have absolute faith in themselves and the ability of the IDF to protect them.
A final note for today. After our bus arrived the Tel Aviv, Barry, a volunteer from Australia, whom I worked and talked with at length about the war, Israel’s future, and my Blueprint, came up to me as I was getting ready to head to the taxi stand and said to me “you are ger tzedek,” and gave me a hug. I will let you let you look up what it means.”

CONCLUSION

Volunteering with the IDF is a life-changing experience, not only because of the immense personal satisfaction you receive from the hard-work support you provide to the IDF, but also because of the people you meet – other volunteers, soldiers, and the truly appreciative people of Israel. Please visit https://www.sar-el.org to start your life-changing journey.

In the last article in this 3-part series, I will discuss the mission and challenges of being a US ambassador for Sar-El.