In the "Lotem" unit in the IT department, the commitment and influence were so great that it was decided to open a dedicated unit - consisting of reserve men and women. 

We heard from Major (res.) Yossi, the commander of the unit that is expected to be established in the coming weeks, about how the combination between the older reserve programmers and younger regualar service programers works wonders!

For more than five months, the men and women of the reserves have been proving their enormous contribution in the war. Even in the Lotem unit in the ICT division, they do not hide their appreciation for those who not only helped its functioning in the campaign - but also streamlined its activities and moved the entire division forward years, so much so that a decision was made to open a new unit - which consists exclusively of the reserve forces.

The Israeli high-tech market receives many of the unit's graduates every year, and there the skills they received in the army continue to flourish. On October 7, it was clear to them what they had to do. 

"During the war, we recognized a fundamental willingness of people to come and volunteer and help," says the chairman of the MRAM Alumni Association, Lt. Col. (res.) Yossi, "but what we didn't take into account is that they come with double the experience of citizenship - which made us jump a lot more than a few levels."

Thanks to the integration of civilian and military systems in the ICT wing, the knowledge of the reservists in the development of systems of the relevant type was connected to the knowledge of the regular soldiers, and thus they were able to achieve achievements that had not been seen before - such as the establishment of five new teams. 

"During an emergency, quite a few needs arise from the area, and it is necessary to establish additional units in a short time," explains Lt. Col. (resp.) Yossi, "and when the demands exceed the available manpower - reserves are brought in."

But not only the graduates of the unit were recruited for the effort. Warriors with technological knowledge who could not do combat reserve service, and other civilian professionals who wanted to help - were also summoned. 

"When a person is released, he doesn't necessarily reach his professional peak, but keeps progressing in the various arenas. That's why we keep in touch and know how to use them in the places suitable for the new knowledge they've gained."

The level of volunteering, as Yossi describes, was astounding, and hundreds turned to the MRAM alumni association to enlist in the ICT effort. As a result, it was decided to establish a dedicated unit for reservists that would operate both in routine and in war, and in which they would deal with unique projects, while regular servants would manage the day-to-day activities of The unit: 

"The goal is that at the moment of truth, we will have appropriate systems for emergencies and people who know how to activate them immediately."

The unit will operate in an emergency and routinely alongside the 6 units that exist today in 'Lotem', and will assist in locating unique professional knowledge as needed, establish new development teams, strengthen existing development teams, accompany the training unit in formulating advanced content, and be the driving body during wartime to effectively connect the reserve personnel to the system.

Unit commanders

At the end of long months of planning, the launch of the unit, which was established with rapid headquarters work, is expected in the coming weeks, and the excitement is at its peak. 

"The magnitude of the commitment is unimaginable, and many systems would not exist without the reservists and reservists," Lt. Col. (retd.) Yossi shouts, "and the new unit is only going to enhance their full potential."

As someone who has been serving in the Maram for 25 years and is now going to lead the new unit in it, Lt. Col. (Rest.) Yossi cannot hide his personal excitement at the closing of the circle: 

"It is an honor and a mission to be at the head of a new process, which reinforces the importance of men and women The reserves in the IDF - in routine and emergency situations."