General conscription is a Finnish choice

Finland’s defence is founded on general conscription, a large reserve with a military training, and a strong will to defend the country. Combined, they make up a credible and pre-emptive threshold against any possible use of force.

The conscription system is a precondition for Finland to be able to produce a sufficient number of versatile forces. A large and capable reserve creates an ability to defend the whole Finland in a sustained situation alone or as a part of the Alliance.  Conscript service creates and maintains the Defence Forces’ readiness and trains conscripts for military national defence duties.

Finnish conscription meets the requirements of the security environment and generates sufficient resources for the Army, Navy and Air Force to operate effectively in the event of a crisis or war. Conscription is a cost-effective way of producing a large and capable reserve.

According to the Constitution of Finland every Finnish citizen is obligated to participate in national defence. Conscription concerns all Finnish men between the ages 18-65, and women can apply for voluntary military service. A person liable for military service must complete either armed or unarmed military service, or, due to a personal conviction, perform non-military (civil) service. During military service, conscripts receive high-quality military training. After completing military service, they muster out into the Finnish Defence Forces’ reserve.

Conscription evolves with the times and the training system is under constant development. At call-ups, we reach the majority of young Finnish men - including those who will not do military or non-military service for one reason or another. Call ups are socially important events because they allow us to reach out for young people and help prevent social exclusion.

Conscription from an individual's point of view

Call-up

All men who turn 18 take part in a call-up that same year. At the call-up, the conscripts’ fitness for military service is checked and a decision is made regarding whether they are fit to perform service. They are given the starting date and location of their service.  The decision concerning the starting date and location of service depends primarily on the needs of the Defence Forces, but conscripts are also asked to express their wishes involving their service.  Call ups are not where conscripts’ overall service times are determined. If a conscript is not deemed fit for service, he is exempted from peacetime military service. A conscript may serve later, if he has a good reason to postpone his service.

Women can apply for voluntary military service via the MyMilitary online service. Applications with attachments must be submitted no later than 15 January.  An information and selection event will be organised in April for women who have submitted an application for voluntary service.

Military service

All conscripts start their military service as equals in every respect. Anybody can perform well in military service regardless of their background. Depending on the training, military service lasts 165, 255 or 347 days. The service period for conscripts trained for rank-and-file tasks is 165 days. For conscripts trained for rank-and-file tasks requiring special skills and for those performing unarmed service, the service period is 255 days.   The service period for conscripts wishing to become officers or non-commissioned officers, and conscripts trained for especially demanding rank-and-file tasks is 347 days.  Non-military service lasts 347 days.

In military service, conscripts receive high-quality military training. During military service, you can also learn everyday survival and leadership skills and acquire skills for your working life. We aim to let conscripts use their prior skills and knowledge in their service duties. After completing military service, you can apply to
peacekeeping duties or for a military career.

Reserve

After military service, you muster out into the reserve to which the rank-and-file, non-commissioned officers and officers belong until they turn 65.  During their time in the reserve, the rank-and-file receive a maximum of 80 or 150 days of refresher training. Non-commissioned officers and officers may have a maximum of 200 days of refresher training.