New Recruits Begin Their Military Service

New recruits will begin their military service in Finnish Defence Forces and Border Guard units on Monday, 7 July. Approximately 12,500 recruits will start their service in contingent 2/25.

In the call-up every recruit has been assigned a time and place for starting military service. The actual duties they will be trained for will be determined during military service. Military service will begin with a six-week basic training phase that is common for all recruits: during this phase they will learn the basics of soldiering. During the basic training phase, the recruits will be assigned their training branches that will determine their advanced training.

Depending on the training, military service lasts 165, 255 or 347 days. There are hundreds of different duties and tasks to choose from. The goal is to find a rewarding task or role for as many as possible. One that is rewarding and that corresponds to the individual’s skills and supports their future ambitions. You can read about the most common tasks here.

Future recruit: Would you like to apply your special skills while gaining valuable job experience? The application period for rank-and-file specialist duties begins 7 July! The available duties and roles include tasks in the following fields: information technology, intelligence, research, public affairs and media, and the chaplaincy.

Smaller detachments to avoid respiratory infections

Infectious diseases spread easily in garrisons with many people in tight spaces. During the past year there have been adenovirus epidemics in garrisons.

Despite the low infection rates over the summer in Finland, the recruits of contingent 2/25 will be divided into smaller detachments for the first three weeks of service in order to reduce the number of infections, to limit the spread of respiratory infections and to insure in-service and health safety. The different recruit detachments will not interact with each other. Medical face masks will be worn in common areas. Otherwise conscript training will continue as normal and the detachment arrangements have no impact on such things as weekend leave. Every brigade-level unit decides independently on how family day is organized.

At the start of their service, the recruits will get more information and instructions on how to prevent respiratory infections in their own brigade-level unit. Further information about general preventive measures is available here (in Finnish or Swedish).

The Finnish Defence Forces is prepared for the situation and possible developments. We are closely monitoring the number of infections in garrisons.

Military service also affects loved ones

Military service also has an impact on the families and friends of the conscripts. For many, this is a new and exciting phase that evokes many new thoughts in both those starting their military service as well as in their loved ones. The support and encouragement of loved ones is important for conscripts all throughout their service.

You can follow the phases of military service and participate in the experience in many ways. Families and friends are welcome to the family days and to the military oath and affirmation events, the dates of which will be published later. You can follow the everyday life of conscript service on our social media.

In addition to the natural nervousness caused by the new phase in one’s live, the weakened international security situation may also cause concern among the conscripts and their families. Currently there is no immediate military threat directed against Finland. We are monitoring the military operating environment at all times and regulating our readiness in all situations as necessary. In regards to our conscripts, we will make sure they will receive training that is current and up-to-date. Our job is to ensure safe military service that supports the individual’s future development.

MyMilitary Portal

The MyMilitary Portal will guide a future recruit forward. By logging onto the MyMilitary Portal you will get instructions regarding reporting for service and you can answer the recruit questionnaire  and online version of aptitude test 2 if you have not done so already.  Filling in the questionnaire and completing the aptitude test will give you an opportunity to impact what task or role you will be assigned. You can find the MyMilitary Portal here. 

Useful links

You can read up on what things you need to organize in your civilian life in order to prepare for military service here.

What to expect from conscript service? Read more about conscript service here.

Regional offices will answer questions by those liable for military service. Read the answers to our frequently asked questions here.