Over 1400 women applied to voluntary military service

The application period for women’s voluntary military service closed on 15 January 2025. A total of 1448 women applied to military service.

This year marks a 30-year anniversary of voluntary military service for women in the Finnish Defence Forces. In 1995, the Defence Forces piloted the voluntary service with 25 women in two brigade-level units. The number of women completing voluntary service has increased considerably over the years and today, women’s voluntary military service constitutes an integral part of the Finnish national defence. Over 14,000 women have been trained in the Defence Forces or the Border Guard by 2025. 

Selection events in April

Those who have applied for voluntary service will receive an invitation to a selection event from their regional office. In the selection event, the applicants are interviewed, provided with facts about conscript service and have their health examined. The applicants also have an opportunity to express their wishes involving training and service.

In the event, the applicants get to hear the starting date and location of their service. The service tasks and service time will be determined later in the brigade-level units. Each brigade-level unit has a limited number of starting spots per contingent, for which reason applicants should have an alternative option ready in mind in case their preferred option does not materialize.

The invitations to the selection event will be sent by the end of March. The applicants can prepare for the selection event by thinking about their preferences concerning service and getting familiar with different service tasks at Intti.fi website. 

Last year, the Defence Forces piloted an event which joined a selection event for women applying for voluntary service and a call-up event for men liable for military service. The pilot events were arranged in the areas of three Regional Offices. The feedback gained and observations made in these events will be analysed, and the results will used in the development of the call-up system in the future.

Read more about voluntary military service for women

Additional information about women’s voluntary military service: Voluntary military service for women - the Defence Forces - My Military 

The Defence Forces will announce the starting date of the 2026 application period for women's voluntary military service during the Spring of 2025.