11,600 recruits start service in Defence Forces in July

A total of 11,600 recruits will start the conscript service part of the liability for military service on July 3, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release on Thursday.

The majority, 9,000, will serve in the Army brigade-level units, and 1,500 in the Navy brigade-level units, and 760 in the brigade-level units of the Air Force.

The Finnish Border Guard will receive 340 recruits. Of the persons liable for military service starting their service, more than 700 will be women in total.

“This marks the first contingent who will now start their service as Finland is a member nation in the defence alliance NATO,” said Colonel Kari Pietiläinen, ACOS TRAINING, Defence Command.

According to Colonel Pietiläinen, active international TREX activity will be visible in the training of this contingent.

Pietiläinen pointed out that development of competence and training will consider, alongside the NATO membership, also the changes that have taken place in the security environment.

The training criteria are in order as such, and the training provided well responds to the set requirements – no major amendments are viewed to be necessary.