The Dynamic Tsahal culture

The Israeli army contributes to Israeli innovation through team spirit inherited from work pools in the army and exhaustive teaching in cutting-edge technology to form a new generation of high-tech entrepreneurs.

One might consider Tsahal an R&D catalyst. The military service being compulsory (three years for men and two years for women), it provides the most talented with an unparalleled technical and practical experience. Organized in small and swift units, the Israeli army influences Israeli managers by conferring upon them a commando-like mentality , which is strongly reflected in the country's industry. This culture of moving fast, handling innovative projects, and prompt improvisation perfectly suits today's net economy requirements.

The most prominent figures of Tsahal's R&D labs are mythical units called Talpiot, MAMRAM, or 8-200. They find their early roots in the creation of the Israeli state and the need to decipher the enemy's codes or break into defense systems. Today, they are synonymous with first-class investments, and considered among the best technology recipients by Japanese and American investors.

The competition for these special units of Tsahal is fierce. Top high-school students compete in UNIX operating systems, C++ programming, and advanced mathematics and languages, to live the ultimate experience of entering these highly esteemed corps. However difficult may be the six-year formation in inhospitable camps lost in the scorching Judean desert or in Tel Aviv cubicles, they believe they will soon be high-tech millionaires as they have watched others succeed in this way before them.

Indeed, the unit encourages creativity by obliging young officers to quickly respond to impossible challenges. The unique efficiency of these units stems from their permanent obligation to react to actual threats that have to be dealt with immediately to save lives. The result is a rather informal, but extremely competent team of "entrepreneurs in uniform," rehearsing their future venture. The other compelling advantage of service is the networks and comradeship created among individuals of the same age sharing interests and backgrounds, and rapidly becoming friends . These solid connections are still very visible in large companies such as Compugen, AudioCodes, Sapiens, or NICE Systems, where many meetings resemble a pleasant alumni reunion.