<p>^^^^Its me again she of the wordy Mother Hen List above.</p>
<p>I originally opened this thread because, while I know next to nothing about the Israeli military, I had very recently read an article in an old Newsweek about how much better prepared for college Israeli 21 year-olds are, compared to American college students. The theme of the article was that the IDF fostered innovation, teamwork, and a freedom to question your commanding officers.</p>
<p>I just googled newsweek, israeli college students and found it! (Im still SO impressed by the internet )</p>
<p>[Soldiers</a> of Fortune - Newsweek](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/2009/11/13/soldiers-of-fortune.html]Soldiers”>Soldiers of Fortune) </p>
<p>(I dont know how to create that handy quote box, but )</p>
<p> in Israel, you get experience, perspective, and maturity at a younger age, because the society jams in so many transformative experiences when its citizens are 18 to 21 years old. By the time they get to college, their heads are in a different place than those of their American counterparts.</p>