"At the end, this is the most decisive corps on land": Our correspondent with the new recruits to the armored corps
While in the past many asked "why armored corps?", today the new fighters declare with pride that they chose to join the corps intentionally. "At the end of the day we want to exist here, this is our country," one of them said. Among the recruits, Natan, an ultra-Orthodox young man, stood out, stating there was no hesitation regarding his decision.
Despite changes in tanks and units, the spirit of the new armored corps fighters of the 188th, 7th, and 401st brigades remains steadfast. On the day of enlistment, we met young people who arrive with peak motivation to serve in combat units and are not willing to give up on contributing to the country despite the risks involved.
While in the past many asked 'why armored corps?', the new fighters emphasize that they chose to arrive at the corps intentionally. Liran, one of the recruits, shared his feelings before putting on the uniform:
'At the end of the day, we want to exist here, to live here - this is our country.'
Dor, another recruit, said that he also asked to join the armored corps from the beginning: 'There is a very great need today, many soldiers are missing.' One of the new fighters is Shaked Dahan, whose brother Lidor served in Zikim on October 7. Their father, Ezra, said he is happy his son is going to the armored corps after the corps set the tone in the war.
In the shadow of the stormy public debate over the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox, Natan stood out, an ultra-Orthodox young man who chose to enlist in the armored corps and clarified that there was no question mark regarding this decision. His father, Oren, accompanied him on this emotional day:
'I support him in every decision.'
Oren noted that there are still concerns: 'There are thoughts, it stressed us out. We hope it will be okay, with God's help. That they will give him the conditions he needs to continue being a Jew there.' Despite the fear, it was important for Oren to come to Natan's enlistment day: 'This is my son. I was also in the army, and I have another son who is a soldier.'
The commander of the armored school, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Ella, summarized the feelings of the recruits and noted that the war proved the power of the corps:
'In the end, this is the most decisive corps on land, the most powerful.'
He described the recruits as excellent youth who are looking to do more and be at the forefront of the fighting. According to him, the combat experience strengthens the sense of mission among the new fighters.
This is the second chapter in the series of reports 'Welcome to the IDF'. For the first chapter, click here.
