Views 10 | JANUARY 23 • 2020 as ammunition choice, optimal shooting methods and ballistic trajectories. My friends and I who were shooting instructors learned to successfully fire tank shells at targets from more than a mile away. Day in and day out, I witnessed the astounding capabilities of my fellow female instructors and their physical and mental strength. Just as instructors are tested and then placed, the capabilities of male recruits are also assessed. A soldier who is fit may be selected as a loader, while a less imposing soldier who scores highly in psychotechnical tests is more likely to be a gunner. Being a man doesn’ t guarantee that he is physically fit enough to load shells into cannons. Why is the Armored Corps discriminating by gender, instead of selecting the most qualified individuals who can do the job properly? The Armored Corps today no longer enjoys the elite status that it did during the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War era. The 188th “Barak” Brigade achieved both lightening suc- cesses during the Six Day War and devastating loses on the Golan Heights in 1973. The shooters and commanders entrusted to me became the backbone of today’ s 188th. The resistance to integrating women seems to be an issue of institu- tional ego. Maybe the Armored Corps is nervous that doing so will undermine the “macho male image” that the unit is trying to project to bolster its current reputation. The notori- ously poor conditions found at its training base, coupled with the role of tanks in today’ s war- fare and the Armored Corp’ s more lenient physical standards all contribute to its current less- than-stellar standing in the IDF pecking order. By raising the bar and requiring higher standards and a more competitive screening process open to all – especially women, the IDF can recruit more motivated, passionate, and talented recruits. When the pilot relaunches later this year, hopefully the IDF will set aside male ego issues and put forward the resources needed to restore the Armored Corps to elite status. Stephanie Horwitz, originally from West Bloomfield, served in the IDF as a tank instructor from 2013-2015. She lives in Tel Aviv and works as the Value Creation manager of SAP . iO Foundry Tel Aviv, SAP’ s strategic business unit that focuses on start- up engagement and innovation. ly” through its Community for a Lifetime Program. Government and business are key in determining the needs of disabled persons. But, individuals with difficulties know what they need, and their input would be an asset in the development of a friendly envi- ronment. Cities like Denver, Seattle and Jackson, Mich., and others worldwide have developed and instituted friendly programs. These cities concluded that people with disabilities want to be accepted and treated as “peo- ple. ” They want it now. Barry Kaufman lives in West Bloomfield and is retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield. He is a Lewy-Body Dementia patient and spokesman and has par- ticipated in LBD research with National Institutes of Health and the University of Michigan. FRIENDLY COMMUNITY continued from page 6 IDF continued from page 8 OUR JN MISSION: We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’ s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to refl ect diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast Michigan. 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