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By Itzhak Rabihiya

President Rivlin presents certificates of excellence to this year's IDF’s outstanding reserve units. 

The President’s Residence was painted olive green on Monday evening, as 16 outstanding IDF reserve units arrived to be recognized and appreciated for their devoted and determined activities in the air, on the sea and on land.

"I am proud to celebrate with you today for being chosen as the IDF’s outstanding reserve units. You, the men and women of the outstanding units are outstanding Israelis," said President Reuven Rivlin to reservists from all over the country and from all parts of society.

"Thanks to you, the citizens of Israel and the security establishment as a whole can be calm and confident in our ability to triumph in battle whenever required," he continued. "Today, we have the opportunity to thank you for your many days of reserve duty and long service. Good job!"

The President awarded the 16 certificates of excellence to the outstanding reserve units for the year 5779. Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Binyamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Aviv Kochavi and representative of the commanders of the chosen units, Lt Col Harel Namir, commander of Battalion 9215 of the "Iron Fist" Brigade also spoke at the event.

 “Still, among reservists, the motivation to serve and volunteer only increases. As a retired reservist, I served in the reserves for over 20 years, until I was elected to the Knesset. And a proud father of men who serve in the reserves, I want to tell you that reserve service is a duty that is also a great privilege. You reservists, and all those who serve in the reserves, are a model for Israeli society as a whole. You are our pride, the pride of the State of Israel! Therefore, it is our duty to ensure that you are given the best conditions to do your job properly, and to encourage employers and academic institutions to give preference to reservists."

Lt. Col. Harel Namir, commander of Battalion 9215, said, “The IDF reserves are like a rare hothouse for the best of Israel, and everyone in it is part of an amazing human fabric that works in harmony, shoulder to shoulder, without any difference of religion, race or gender. Unity, not tribalism. Giving, and not just taking. As we all know, every reservist who reports for duty does not do so alone.

The outstanding units:

·                                 The “Alexandroni” Brigade of the “Galil” Division, Northern Command

·                                 "Etzioni" Brigade of the "Gaash” Division, Northern Command

·                                 "Iron Fist" Brigade of the "HaMapatz” Division, Northern Command

·                                 Samaria Regional formation of the Judea and Samaria Division, Central Command

·                                 "Iron Chariots" Brigade of the "Idan” formation, Central Command

·                                 309th Command Unit, Central Command

·                                 “Shu'ali Marom” Brigade of the Sinai Dvision, Southern Command

·                                 "Lightning" Brigade of the "Steel” Division, Southern Command

·                                 “Pillar of Fire” Brigade of “Steel” Division, Southern Command

·                                 National Search and Rescue Unit 9952, Home Front Command

·                                 Rescue Brigade 233 of the Tel Aviv Division of the Dan Region formation, Home Front Command

·                                 Transport Brigade 556 of the Transport Division, Ground Forces

·                                 Sky Rider 5353 unit of depth formation 214, Ground Forces

·                                 "Night Raptors" Squadron, Air Force

·                                 Iron Dome battery 947, Air Defense Division, Air Force

·                                 915 security detatchment, Navy

Attached photo credit: Mark Neiman (GPO)