The IDF's pre-draft medical screening for the military's conscription process is undergoing a broad overhaul after a year-long internal review aimed at improving how medical fitness is assessed.
The updated process comes ahead of expected increases in enlistment volume and is intended to shift from wide, largely uniform checks to more precise screening that is faster for Israelis set to be drafted, and make it more useful for clinicians.
The review was led by a committee of medical experts that examined existing examinations and protocols to distinguish tests with clear clinical value from procedures that had become routine largely through longstanding practice. The result is a narrower set of baseline checks, paired with more targeted preventive medicine and earlier handling of relevant findings.
One of the most notable changes is the cancellation of routine testicular examinations. Internal figures indicated that out of more than 150,000 such exams, only four cases ultimately changed a candidate’s medical profile, while the procedure could create stress for some draft candidates without sufficient medical justification for universal use.
Routine foot examinations and baseline urine tests are also being removed after the review found they contributed little to assessing combat fitness or identifying service-relevant conditions at scale. The redesigned approach is meant to reduce bottlenecks at recruitment offices while preserving the ability to refer candidates for follow-up testing when specific concerns arise.
In parallel, a blood test is being introduced for all female conscription candidates to help identify anemia and enable earlier medical treatment. The test is designed to improve readiness for service, including for candidates expected to enter physically demanding roles later on, and can also be completed through a family physician to support continuity between civilian and military care.
Technology is also being integrated into the workflow, including AI-assisted tools to summarize medical documents and support physicians reviewing files. The changes are expected to shorten the in-office medical stage from about 15 minutes to roughly 10 minutes or less by shifting more processing upstream and eliminating exams with minimal impact.
Flaws of the medical profile system
The medical profile system itself remains in place as a broad indicator, but placement decisions are expected to rely more heavily on the candidate’s specific limitations rather than a single profile number.
In practice, candidates with profiles such as 64, and in some cases 45, can already serve in combat roles depending on the nature of their restriction and the requirements of the assignment.
The rollout is expected to begin as a pilot at the Tel Hashomer recruitment office before expanding to additional recruitment centers around Passover.
A dedicated hotline has also been established within the IDF’s recruitment framework to consolidate medical inquiries from candidates, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve communication with them and their families who have queries.