Called To Serve: Conscripts in 🇪🇪Estonia

Every year in Estonia thousands of young men and women are called up to complete a compulsory 8- or 11-month military service. Providing they are physically and mentally capable, conscripts undergo intense training under the watchful eye of military instructors.
We follow one small unit of conscripts as they undergo day and night-time operations deep in the Estonian countryside.

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[TrueChell]

With huge respect to Estonia. One of the few countries in Europe taking their defense seriously.

[RolandKontson]

The conscript concept resembles vikings in a sense - a proud nation where a farmer is a warrior in times of need and vice versa.

[dicio]

This after NATO is our main deterrent. Every man has to go through military training, women are also allowed to serve if they want to.

Are we expecting a war? No. Do we expect everyone to fight if there is a war? No.

But the point of having a nation of citizens you can throw a gun at and ask them to engage in small squad movement and them all knowing military doctrine on some level is a inconvenience for anyone trying to invade. The principle of US, right to bear arms - instead we train everyone to be ready to bear arms if needed.

[honazairsoft]

Estonian men will be the frontline soldiers in the first days of a future war with Putinland. Same with Latvians and Lithuanians.
I hope our militaries in their countries can arrive with help before they get wiped out.
I have been to Estonia and Lithuania and both of them are very beautiful countries. It would hurt me deeply to see them invaded by an authoritarian Russia lead by Putin.

[ryant]

Don't worry Estonia. We'll be there soon mate.

[eivoilaittaaverotukseen]

I thought they had Finnish assault rifles. But seems like they were Galils. Close enough.

[ashleyradwell]

I think Estonia and UK armed forces can hold that ground...

[BWaltke]

I have a quick question… Is there a height limit to the conscription process like in the United States?

[c.h.]

I like their way of clothing, white pants and upper body is green mess camo at same isnt very common to see

[raretrillmemes]

I plan on joining the United states marines in a couple years. after that i want to move to estonia for some years; I want to get dual citizenship between the two countries.

[ThNigma]

Pretty much nothing more than civilian teens. Hopefully they will never have to fire a shot in anger, but it is still better to have the nation ready for any kind of incursions by foreign actors.

[nandopassante]

No, as it is now, only men are called up, women aren't. Which is unacceptable in a country that calls itself egalitarian. Estonia's constitution states that all citizens have the same rights and duties and there must be no discrimination based on sex, yet only men are subjected to conscription. This is a gross contradiction. Conscription should be for both sexes, like in Sweden and Norway.

[danieldoel]

I wish that countries would get rid of conscription because it limits one's ability to pursue their own path without interruption. But still, we love you Estonia

[knavishroot]

A lot of their kneepads fall down on their ankles. What they're supposed to do with those nato snowcamo pants, is to cut out some foam from a sleeping cover and stuff that in the knee "pocket".