Navigating Celiac Disease: One IDF Soldier's Remarkable Journey

We're thrilled to kick off our blog series, where we'll be sharing inspiring stories from the ground, highlighting the experiences of soldiers, volunteers, and more.

Today, we had the privilege of catching up with Soldier N, a former IDF soldier with celiac, to hear his remarkable journey. Soldier N graciously took the time to chat with us before embarking on a trip to celebrate a family wedding in America. Despite his busy schedule, he shared candidly about his experience as a celiac soldier in the IDF and the challenges he has faced. we are so pleased that he was released from service in time to celebrate such a lovely simcha!!

“I was diagnosed with celiac at age 25 – so that’s 6 years ago now. I had been in the army already and then shortly after I started my reserve duty, I was diagnosed with celiac. I was a soldier in the combat soldier in a special forces infantry / combat engineering battalion - now I am in a similar type of battalion but made up of Miluim rather than active-duty soldiers. So once I finished my active-duty service, I would be called up for Miluim every-so-often.

Once I found out I was celiac, it proved really logistically challenging for the right food to get to me while I was on Miluim, and this was during peace-time! Ultimately, getting celiac-safe food to me during my Miluim training was proving to be so difficult that my commander was ready to exempt me from Miluim - meaning I would no longer be called up for regular reserve training.

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When october 7th happened, it was quite the shock for everyone - I spoke with my commander and offered to come. he took me up on the offer, on the basis that if they find they can’t feed me properly, they’ll send me home.

One day eventually turned into 120+ days - I don’t know the exact number of days I served! At the beginning we were in Israel proper - getting our gear together and training before we spent two months protecting communities in the areas neighbouring the border with Gaza. Then we did about a month and a half of work inside Gaza. 

Throughout this whole time, celiac was frankly quite the challenge - especially in my combat position, being in all sorts of hard-to-reach places when I was in the field.

Though I certainly wasn't in the easiest area to reach, I got food from you guys - even when I was in Gaza - which was so heartwarming. Even when I was in Israel proper, because of the nature of my position, I was often in remote areas that can be really difficult to reach. 

You guys were amazing. There’s no words to describe it. There were days where I wouldn't have eaten a proper meal if it wasn't for you, or I wouldn't have had an insanely high stock of gluten-free food - everything from protein bars if I needed a quick boost of energy, to treats, to anything I could ask for. 

It was amazing both practically and also just incredibly heart-warming. I know that I will probably be called back again later this year, and I intend on going. I have a wife and two kids so it’s definitely not easy to leave them, so thank you for the support because it really means the world."

Soldier N exemplifies the many brave soldiers we've had the honor of supporting since the outbreak of war. His story sheds light on the vital work that we do and underscores the significance of external support for those we serve.

Soldier N, we wish you lots of Hatzlacha (success) and koach (strength), thank you for your service!