When I called my kids to say hi during my first mission with my IDF unit, they were naturally curious about where their father was. "I'm on my first mission with the IDF," I told them proudly.
"Are you going into Gaza now?" came the immediate, worried question.
I couldn't help but smile as I quickly reassured them: "No, it's somewhere more dangerous... Tel Aviv."
"You're going to Tel Aviv? Why?"
The answer might surprise you as much as it did them. We had to go pick up a donation of chairs and benches for the shul on base so we could fit everyone for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana.
The Unsung Heroes of Logistics
Our unit, Alog 99, is the logistics unit for the 99th Division, currently engaged in the battle in Gaza City. While our combat brothers are on the front lines, we support them from behind the scenes—providing security on the border, fixing tanks and trucks, supplying soldiers in the rear near our base, and making sure everyone has whatever they need to succeed in their missions.
Most people think of the army as combat soldiers charging into battle. And rightfully so—they're the heroes we see and hear about. But here's something that might surprise you: for every combat soldier, there are seven people behind them in support roles.
This doesn't mean these seven aren't in harm's way—we certainly are. But we're not the ones you hear about front and center. Yet without us, those front-line heroes couldn't do what they do.
Every Mission Matters
Delivering food and supplies into Gaza, transporting troops to their assignments, maintaining the supply chain and equipment—these allow the IDF to function. Making sure the base has a proper shul for religious soldiers to daven in, helping build and bring a mikveh on base for those who want to use it, upgrading units from old equipment to newer and better supplies—while these tasks may seem trivial to outsiders, they're absolutely essential to how the IDF operates.
Every role in the IDF serves the greater mission. Whether you're storming a building in Gaza City or picking up synagogue furniture in Tel Aviv, you're part of something larger than yourself. You're ensuring that the Jewish people can live safely in their homeland.
As I loaded those benches into our truck that day, I realized that this "simple" logistics mission represented something profound: our commitment to maintaining not just our physical strength, but our spiritual strength too. Because in the end, it's not just about having the best weapons or the strongest soldiers—it's about remembering who we are and what we're fighting for.
So the next time someone asks me about my "dangerous" mission to Tel Aviv, I'll tell them the truth: every mission that supports our people, our values, and our defenders is essential. Even if it just means making sure everyone has a seat in shul for the holidays.