Power in Motion: Finding Purpose After the Battle

I’ve been an observer—and an admirer—of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for as long as I can remember. As someone who follows military affairs around the world, I have never encountered a force as committed and as consistently overburdened by global expectations—particularly from its Western allies.

No other military is asked to do the impossible: to defend its citizens while showing compassion to its enemies—even mid-conflict. To engage in fierce combat and then offer medical care to those who, moments earlier, threatened its borders. That level of discipline, restraint, and humanity is nothing short of extraordinary.

But today, I want to speak not about operations or battlefield tactics. I want to talk about IDF veterans—the quiet heroes who return to civilian life not as hardened warriors, but as builders, dreamers, and innovators.

Unlike many other armed forces, the IDF is made up not only of career soldiers but of everyday citizens—engineers, doctors, nurses, chefs, IT professionals, students—who drop everything to serve. Most are reservists. All are patriots, through and through.

And what truly defines them isn’t just their courage in uniform. It’s their strength when the uniform comes off.

Take Professor Mor Peretz, for example—a story I recently read tin the Times of Israel that left me both humbled and inspired. His journey embodies the very essence of resilience, renewal, and the relentless ingenuity of the Israeli spirit.

When the dust settles and the boots are stored away, what remains?

For many veterans—especially those carrying the scars of war, both visible and unseen—this question looms large. How do you move forward when your body has changed? When your sense of routine is shattered, and you’re left to navigate a new, unfamiliar normal?

Ask Mor Peretz, and you’ll hear a story that doesn’t just move you—it recharges the soul.

After a military accident left him permanently disabled in one leg, Peretz didn’t withdraw. He rewired. What began as a painful rehabilitation journey evolved into something extraordinary: a reimagining of how energy itself can power the future.

Quite literally.

Today, this former soldier is powering robots on the move—robots that never stop to recharge—thanks to CaPow, the startup he co-founded in Beersheba. His mission? To eliminate robotic downtime and redefine what uninterrupted motion can look like. But the real breakthrough isn’t just technological—it’s personal.

Because for many like Peretz, healing isn’t linear, and purpose isn’t automatic. That’s where places like Beit Halochem step in—Israel’s nationwide centers for disabled veterans.

Beit Halochem is a rare haven. A space where being a disabled veteran is the norm, and the focus isn’t on limitations—but on motion, meaning, and momentum. Veterans come not just for therapy or treatment, but to engage, compete, and reconnect. Whether through swimming, adaptive basketball, fitness programs, or just shared conversation, they rediscover life in motion.

One IDF veteran said American visitors to Beit Halochem are often moved to tears—not out of pity, but from admiration for Israel’s unwavering commitment to long-term care and integration.

And that commitment is growing. Since the October 2023 war in Gaza, over 5,500 wounded soldiers have entered Israel’s rehabilitation system. That number is expected to reach over 20,000 by the end of 2025. Most are young reservists—many with limb injuries or PTSD. The need is immense. But so is the response.

Organizations like ZDVO and Beit Halochem are scaling up rapidly. Veterans are not just being cared for—they’re being empowered. They’re building futures rooted in impact and possibility.

For veterans reading this—especially those navigating life after injury—this message is for you: your story isn’t over. It’s evolving.

You don’t have to return to who you were before. You get to renew, recreate, and reimagine your future—on your terms. Like CaPow’s machines, you can be powered in motion. Even while rebuilding. Even in pain.

It starts with believing that your service didn’t end when you stepped off the battlefield. Your leadership, discipline, and grit are needed—now more than ever. Whether you go on to teach, invent, mentor, or start again, your story still matters.

Because in Israel, resilience isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward.

So if you’re wondering where you fit in a world that feels different post-service, remember this: you’re not broken. You’re battle-tested.

There is purpose beyond the pain. Fulfillment beyond the salary or remuneration. And yes—renewal in every brave step you choose to take.

Stay in motion. Stay connected. Like CaPow’s system, you’re never done charging. You’re just getting started.