The Military Careers and Second Careers of Israel's Military Elite

This article discusses the military careers and second careers of members of Israel's military elite from the establishment of the State of Israel and its military — the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — until the present. This is done by analyzing an original database that includes details on all 213 officers who were promoted to the two highest ranks in the IDF — major general (Aluf) and lieutenant general (Rav Aluf) — and who served in its general staff since 1948. After presenting a description of the officers' military careers and second careers throughout this period, we discuss the interplay between the particular characteristics of Israel's military elite, on one hand, and Israel's pattern of civil-security relations and process of state formation, on the other hand.