Mandatory Military Service in Finland

Finland was voted the happiest country in the world in 2020. It tops the world rankings frequently for its civil liberties, education, and quality of life. Yet it also has mandatory military service. Conscription was once common across most of Europe but is nowadays more associated with authoritarian countries in the popular mind.

Finland is not alone in this of course. Nearby countries such as Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, all practice limited forms of conscription. But Finland stands out, as similar to Estonia and Russia, it requires all men to serve a term in the military.

What Does Conscription Involve?

All Finnish men are liable for call-up once they turn 18. If deemed medically fit for service, they will then complete a term of 165–347 days (depending on rank and specialisation). A typical conscript soldier will serve the minimum 165 days, while officer training or more specialised roles requires a longer period of training. All conscripts transfer to the reserves upon completion of their military service.

Finns remain on the reserve’s rolls until the age of 50. They are then on the auxiliary reserve list until the age of 60. Women may volunteer for service but are not subject to conscription. A civilian service option is available for those who object to military service. The punishment for rejecting military and civilian service is a prison sentence.

Why Is Conscription Needed?

The last time Finland was at war was during the Second World War. Finland fought two defensive wars against the Soviet Union and a brief war with Nazi Germany. Its focus during the Cold War was on self-reliance. Finland kept a large, well-trained military as a deterrent against the Soviet Union.

Finland is not a member of NATO, nor was it a member of the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War. Conscription helps to guarantee the state’s security. It ensures that the Finnish Defence Forces meets its manpower requirements and that there is a large pool of reservists ready to call on. Finland occupies a key strategic location in the Baltic region, particularly in a potential NATO-Russia conflict.

Like its neighbour, Sweden, Finland has traditionally followed a path of non-alignment. But recently there has been increased support for joining NATO but it is unlikely that either country would join without the other. Recent developments show that Finland is looking increasingly outward for support amidst security concerns in the Baltic region. Both Finland and Sweden have cooperated closely with NATO despite not being formal members of the alliance.

How Is Conscription Viewed?

The vast majority of Finnish men complete their military service. For many, it’s seen as a rite of passage, something they know their fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or brothers did. Others are more pragmatic, recognising the fact geography plays in the reasoning for conscription.

Recent polls show that the Finnish population are generally against extending conscription to women. However, these polls show that younger people are usually in favour of gender-neutral conscription. Conscripting only men is seen as discriminatory and outdated by an increasing number of Finnish society.

A small number of Finnish men are imprisoned each year as conscientious objectors for refusing to complete civilian or military service. Activists claim that objectors are stigmatised for years to come, experiencing discrimination in the jobs market and educational institutions.

Recent studies show that the majority of Finnish conscripts accept it as a fact of life in Finland. The system of conscription is viewed more positively than negatively.

The Future

Conscription shows no sign of leaving any time soon in Finland. It enjoys popular support amongst the population and provides a large pool of manpower. It also helps guarantee security against a larger and historically belligerent neighbour.

The Crimean Crisis prompted a change in how Finland has visualised future conflicts. There are now contingency plans for appearances of “little green men”, similar to what their Baltic neighbours have put in place. A series of reforms have been put into place that ensures quicker mobilisation of the military and a rapid reaction to local flashpoints.

Battlefield 2020 is a Finnish short film that was released earlier this summer as a training aid for conscripts and reservists. It shows how the FDF visualise a potential future conflict escalating. The enemy isn’t named but the equipment used along with the geopolitical background, all point to Russia.

The film is an important watch for two reasons. First of all, it explains to those Finnish soldiers how vital their role is in a future conflict. It also acts as a clear statement to potential aggressors and allies that Finland will defend itself against foreign pressure. The backbone of that defence will be the conscripts and reservists.