IDF finds a way for fresh recruits to take ‘selfies’

In a bid to help families of new recruits enjoy that special moment when IDF soldiers first don their olive-green fatigues, the army has installed a “selfie station” at its induction base.

The stall, at the Bakum induction center near Tel Aviv, enables soldiers to photograph themselves in uniform and then share the image to family and friends.

New recruits are forbidden from using their mobile phones during the induction process, and must give up the devices, which are stored in lockers until they board buses to leave for their various training bases. Without their phones the young soldiers are deprived of the ability to take selfies.

“What the families of recruits want on the induction day of their son or daughter is to finally see them in uniform, but because the phones are locked away it has become impossible,” explained Colonel Oren Shani, the commander of the IDF’s Meitav induction unit. “The first time that the soldiers get their phones back is on the bus to the base.”

The stall, which was installed two weeks ago, simulates much of the experience of taking a selfie, sans the contortions: Soldiers stand in front of a screen, which shows them how they will appear in the final photograph, and then press the button.

After snapping the picture, the soldiers can then send it via text message, email or Facebook.