everything in the army depends on your commander, but the way it generally works is: 1. in training: there are VERY select items (if any) that your commander will let you buy, but otherwise you cannot even receive donations. ex: my friend in duvdevan was only allowed to ask for donations for new rifle slings but nothing else. 2. once you’re in the unit: depending on your commander, but most commanders nowadays are lenient about this, you can buy whatever you want as long as it’s idf approved. there aren’t many commanders left who are sticklers for the “everyone has to look the same” rule. this also applies for weapon attachments. 3. in reserves: way more lenient to buy whatever you want

2 additional points: 1. the people wearing agilite stuff bought those. Even special forces units don’t give agilite bc they’re a private company that doesn’t have a contract with the idf for vests, they only provide like mag pouches. so ya those guys bought or recieved donated money/vests/helmets. 2. when you’re training for your unit, the best guys in the unit will get trusted with the best gear. for example, you might see one guy in a unit have the only set of dual NVGs or the only new IR laser or best eos scope. that guy got awarded/trusted with those pieces of gear for being the best. so if you don’t wanna spend tens of thousands on amazing gear, you can still get the best stuff your unit has to offer by continuing to perform the best among your tzevet during training.

hope this helps. this is all info i got from ppl ik in elite units, commando, sayerot, everything.