Finnish Military Service - Legal Duty for All Finnish Men

Finnish Military Service is a mandatory duty for all Finnish men and voluntary for Finnish women. In this video I will explain all the basics of the Finnish army service and share my own experiences, because I have completed the service as well. Military Service in Finland is a mandatory duty for all Finnish men and voluntary for Finnish women. In this video I will explain all the basics of the Finnish army service and share my own experiences, because I have completed the service as well.

Note: I reuploaded this as the old video had content which had problems with model releases.

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Disclaimer: some of the links above are affiliate links, which mean that if you go thru the link and buy something, I will get a small commission. Talk about a win/win situation!
Suomeksi: Osa yllä olevista linkeistä on ns. affiliate-linkkejä eli jos ostat linkin kautta jotain niin saan pienen komission! Win/Win vai mitä!

[simonsimonovic]

In North Korea millitary service is actually 12 years ...

[paanikki]

It is good to clarify the meaning of "Army" that Aleksi used: In Finland, the word "Armeija" (Army) is commonly used as a synonym for the Finnish Defence Forces, and also as a synonym for military service (conscription). So, it includes the Army (Maavoimat, direct translation: Ground Forces), Navy and Air Force.
The Finnish Army, Navy and Air Force operate under the command of the FDF General Staff, and they use the FDF General Code of Conduct. The basic training period for conscripts is also identical, regardless of service, branch or unit.

Everyone starts their service as a recruit, gets named (not actually a promotion) private after 8 weeks. A few weeks later, those to become leaders are sent to the NCO school of the brigade-level unit. After a little less than half of the NCO course, about 1/5 of the NCO students are sent to the national reserve officer school, and the rest of NCO students continue the NCO training of their branch and field of expertise. Because of this shared training path, there are no high mental barriers between different groups of personnel, and the interaction between older rank and file, NCO's and reserve officer cadets is natural and relaxed.

Those who want to become career officers, only get to apply for the defence university AFTER completing the conscription. This is very different from the US and UK, where career officers usually have a civilian college degree and training in an officer academy, but not necessarily any experience serving in rank and file or NCO.

[timothywachowicz]

Hi from Canada Aleksi & all Your Followers,
I have a deep admiration for Finland! Your country has overcome & thrived in very difficult circumstances! Particularly the winter war of 1939. DeFINNitely a need to be prepared as a country for anything!
I appreciate how Finns come together & support one another regardless of circumstances over many years. Education, health care, & companion makes for a strong community foundation!! Simply caring for one another. Together we stand. Divided we fall.
I also appreciate Your unique & fun way of sharing this knowledge of Your country for the world to see & understand. With much fun & laughter I might add :)!
Because of Your channel I am searching for a copy of Kalevela which will take my understanding a little deeper into an important influence in Finnish Culture. Just Finntastic!
I see Finland as a model for other counties in the world to follow & come together!
Deep gratitude & appreciation for Your effort in creating such a fun channel to learn about Your homeland! Always enjoy Your down to earth, information rich, & witty productions!

As a side note I imagine anyone doing Finnish Air Force service would be in for more than a year especially pilots. You would be a great pilot! :)! Already a great leader of good thoughts...
Unlimited Blessings to You & Your Finntastic Fans!

[Juutube]

Here are reasons why I think conscription should also be for women.

If women are weaker, civilan service are made for those who don't fit to military, and getting pregnant is a free choice and not mandatory. Menstruation hasn't been a problem for women who are optional there.

[teddillon]

Are there units in the Finnish army where The Swedish language is used?

[martinhepworth]

I really need some help right now. My best friend is Finnish and he has Aspergers. He suffers from crippling anxiety and gets panic attacks. I know it is only a matter of time before he gets drafted and I fear it will psychologically destroy him. I really do not think he is mentally capable of coping. The thought of it is making him physically ill with stress and fear. Is there any way at all he can be granted exception? Thank you for taking the time to read my comment, I’m just trying to look out for my friends well-being.

[jeroxfin]

Interesting to learn about this. I am dual citizen of Finland and the US so I won’t have to serve so definitely interesting to see what I will miss.

[paanikki]

Aleksi. Kun teititellään yhtä ylempiarvoista/vanhempaa henkilöä, sanotaan "Mistä olette saanut". EI "Mistä olette saaneet". Tämä lienee opittu jo peruskoulun yläasteella. Eli vain puhuttelu on monikossa, muuten yksikössä kuten ilman teitittelyä. Tuo jälkimmäinen sopii kun puhutaan kahdelle tai useammalle joilla kaikilla on samanlainen hieno paita.

Rookie on puhekielen halventava nimitys aloittelijalle. Alokas on "Recruit". Sama on esim. ruotsin kielessä. "Rekryt".

[androphile]

Women should also have to be conscripted if you have to keep conscription.

[lgfrades]

Awesome video, Aleksi! I think you were smart to get officer training. I was enlisted in the US Navy and I would recommend officer over enlisted any day! Also singer Robin is now doing his Army training and he loves it❤️

[shiraarieli]

Super interesting video! This is VERY similar to the Israeli army experience, though shorter (boys in Israel serve a bit less than 3 years, and girls serve two years). Thanks!

[sonyax]

Thanks for this, very useful! A couple more questions if you have a moment: What about navy and air force, can you do conscripted training for them? What's the jail sentence if you refuse military and civil service? How does the sports school work, is it just for army recruits? And if you delay it because you're abroad or something how does the army keep tabs and remind you to do it? Thanks!

[The_alchemistress]

So I heard there was a non-military service option and was wondering if I choose that, will I have to shave my hair. I’m American and been growing out my hair for a while so I’d hate to lose it. It seems a bit silly, but it’s meant a lot to me.

[ymyone]

I flew from Australia when i was 19 do my service. I had grand fathers, uncles and cousins that fought in all their wars so i felt it was my duty.
It was the best desicion of my life and i have many fond memories of my time there. 🙂

[JustinianH]

Here in Colombia we have obligatory military service as well, 18 months, and until 2016 we were at full war with, guerrillas... so you could easily end up killed in the jungle...

[yakaboy]

Aleksi my man, please care to reply to this buddy. I have a question for you. I’m most likely to get my Finnish citizenship on the year which I turn 29 years old. So can I still serve in the military after turning 29 ? Or have I missed the chance? Moi moi

[Nalokmiir]

En ymmärrä miksi vain miesten täytyy mennä inttiin tai sivariin. Onneksi itse ei tarvinnut mennä kumpaankaan, tai linnaan.

[schouvler]

So if youre in the military for 90 days what do you do? Community work? I think mandatory public service is a noble and helpful to society but mandatory military service seems so odd to me.

[Quiwi]

"Lepo" would actually be "at ease"

[redarmyrasmus]

Am a swed and do you now if Sweds can go in the finnish arme