To date, the IDF rates inductees with two numbers, their medical profile and their “kaba” score, which reflects intellect and other factors. The two scores will determine what units one is eligible to serve in, giving a new inductee a chance at completing training in those units. Elite and regular combat units have cut offs, and those inductees with scores below may not serve in them. The same holds true for the air force, intelligence and other elite field, intelligence, logistical and technical units.
 
A company by the name of “Complete Man” has been chosen for the pilot program, and the first group of soldiers to undergo the new experimental testing system will be female inductees. Several dozen females will be tested by the company, and if the program is successful, in two years, the army believes all new inductees will be tested by an independent company, offering the exams in all major cities. The new system may eliminate or compliment the current system.
 
To date, the army relied on the preliminary psychological evaluation, which is based on a first psychometric exam taken by inductees upon their first visit to the draft board after receiving their first induction notice. The rating would between from 10-90. Then there is the kaba score, ranging from 41-56. The kaba incorporates the psychometric exam, high school achievements, and the impression made by the candidate with the interviewer. Army officials insist that despite the widespread belief to the contrary, having divorced parents, one’s geographical location and other social realities do not factor into the kaba score.
 
IDF Personnel Branch officials hope the new system will provide a scoring system which better reflects the abilities of new recruits, proving the military with soldiers better-suited for a position and new recruits with a more accurate array of options for their military service. Officials explain that ultimately, this should result in a higher satisfaction rating among soldiers, which will improve motivation and encourage soldiers to sign on for career service.
 
The IDF concludes by emphasizing that for now, the rating will be achieved by the medical profile and the kaba score, and one should not minimize the accuracy achieved by this method, which has been relied upon with great success for many years.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)