Service Year
The Pre-Army service year is a one year voluntary service program for Israeli high school graduates prior to their service in the IDF. Contrary to the Gap Year offered in other countries, the Shnat Sherut is entirely devoted towards volunteer work, and offers no material reward for volunteers.[1]
Volunteers work full time in a variety of different fields: Assisting developing towns and disadvantaged communities, residential schools for youth at risk, youth movements, nature/ecological organizations, and many other civic organizations and projects.
In order to partake in a Shnat Sherut, prospective volunteers must defer their compulsory military service. However, the number of deferments allowed by the IDF is limited, making acceptance into the Pre-Army Service Year selective and competitive.
Conscription rates among Shnat Sherut graduates are nearly 100%, and many of the volunteers are accepted into the most elite units of the IDF.