Hi
The miloimnik is a reserve duty soldier in Israel when on duty. As I have been for the past 17 years, and as Nathan and Guri have been, too. The term comes from the Hebrew for reserve duty – Miluim.
Till October 7th to be a Miloimnik, I was considered to be a sucker. Going away from the comfort routine and throwing into the field. Away from your home, your work, your wife, your kids, your pet , your bed…
And if there is something Israelis hate to be, it is to b sucker (a Frayer in Hebrew. It comes from Yiddish) and still, 1 percent of the population used to do so. That is about fifth to quarter of who can draft for reserve.
But when called to duty everybody where there. More people than called. The IDF called for 100 percent of reserve duty draft, and some units were drafted 150 percent (!).
Although people have threatened not to draft to an army that serves a government that leads the judicial overhaul when the time comes. Everybody stood in line to serve and defend.
295,000 miloimnikim have been drafted during the war on Gaza strip. 45,000 of those were drafted, although they have been released from service, but volunteered to join in the fighting force. 19% of the miloimnikim are women.
People did appreciate the reserve duty soldiers during the years, but nothing like they being admired now. The rumor goes there, there girls looking around that want them.
Everybody wants to give them things, to stop them, take a pic, and donate to them: food, snacks, candies, beer, shirts, underwear, socks, towels, bed covers, pillows, ceramic bulletproof vest, shoes, leathermans, hygiene products, massages and so on…
Take Care
Gad
A group of my fellow miloimniks on the north during the first 60 days of war (in our summer camp)