For tens of thousands of Israelis, a month each year of army reserve duty is an obligation fulfilled out of patriotism. But after seven months of intense fighting with Palestinians, the work has become deadlier and the duty longer.
Many reservists carry a grudge along with their rifles and gear.
Reservists are still turning up as ever, according to the army, leaving their jobs and families to serve at checkpoints, hike on patrols or command troops. But the numbers do not include many who obtain doctors' excuses for bad backs and knees. Some make good arguments to sympathetic commanders who give them breaks. Those left serving end up as the butt of jokes. Twenty years ago, Israeli society looked at 'milueem' as a duty that everyone must do.