One question we have recently received by mail was “where do IDF soldiers live?”
I don’t know if this person is planning to make Aliya and join the IDF (as a lone soldier) or this was just a general curiosity type of question, but in any case, we are always here to help.
The short answer to the question of where do IDF soldiers live is depending on the unit in which they serve. some units are “closed”, meaning the soldiers sleep in bases or the field, except when they get a vacation (usually every other weekend) and go home to their families. On the other hand, “open” units are ones where the soldiers are coming to the base each day, like a normal job, and sleep with their family or whenever they please. These are more HR, command, and technical units.
One thing to remember is that soldiers are 18 when they join the IDF, and just finished high school. So it is not uncommon for them to regularly spend weekends and holidays at home with their parents, as they have rarely lived alone before.
But then there is the question, what do soldiers that don’t have a family in Israel are doing on those vacations or evenings? keep on reading and we will explain.
Where Do Lone IDF Soldiers Live
In the Israel Defense Forces, a lone soldier is defined as a serviceman or woman without immediate family in Israel. Lone soldiers serve in regular units and receive various forms of support from the IDF, Israeli government ministries, and other organizations.
Receiving these benefits is dependent on the IDF criteria and form of service, and generally, there are several options:
Lone Soldier Apartments – A Lone Soldier has the option to live in one of the AWIS’s apartments. The apartments are furnished and have all the accessories needed to be able to live respectably as a soldier of the IDF. In this situation, the soldier is not required to pay rent or taxes, and also receives food.
Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers (AWIS), is a non-profit organization giving serving soldiers the support & well-being extras.
Residing in Kibbutzim (Collective Settlements) – Can be done in dozens of settlements across Israel. This is mainly intended for soldiers who serve in closed units or bases only and visit home on weekends. The soldiers can use the services offered to all of the Kibbutz residents, such as a laundry service and more.
Residing in one of the Beit HaHayal – These are homes for soldiers that belong to the AWIS, located in various cities. They are kind of a hostel and provide laundry services and supply food.
Rent – In cases where the other options are not available, The IDF is willing to allow the person to lease an apartment and the army will pay the rent (this is limited by amount, so it will probably not be on one of the Richest Neighborhood in Tel Aviv). Also, the IDF will help sponsor other related expenses (taxes, water bills, electricity, gas, etc.) if you are found eligible on account of your situation.
According to official sources, about 176,500 soldiers serve in the IDF, of whom 42,000 are permanent officers and soldiers (career soldiers), in addition to 445,000 soldiers in reserve, and it has an annual budget of about NIS 70 billion (2017).
Read more: Why Are IDF Helmets So Big and Crazy Looking