Q&A: Risking One’s Life for the Sake of the Public
Risking One’s Life for the Sake of the Public
Question
Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for all combat roles in the State of Israel to be voluntary? In other words, is it even reasonable for a state to obligate a person to risk his life? I’m not talking about military service itself in non-combat desk/support roles, which makes sense to require. I’m talking about the situation in which anyone with a combat profile is simply thrown into a combat role whether he wants to or not. Why not just make combat roles voluntary and simply improve the conditions for those who take them on, such as higher pay, etc.?
Answer
It seems to me that this wheel has already been invented. It’s called a professional army. The proposal for a professional army has already been discussed for many years, and there are arguments on both sides. I don’t have the information or the tools to discuss it seriously. Oh, and this wouldn’t be volunteering but rather a job/career.
https://mida.org.il/2016/08/29/%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%91%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%A4%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%90%D7%99%D7%93%D7%90%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%92%D7%99%D7%94-%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%90-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%99-%D7%9C%D7%90-%D7%9E/
https://www.makorrishon.co.il/opinion/682883