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Reservist benefits in exercises While attending a refresher training exercise you are entitled to free meals, accommodation, gear and equipment, as well as access to health care and medication. You are paid a reservist salary and a per diem for al...

Refresher training exercises Refresher training exercises sustain the capability of wartime troops and the national defence skills of reservists. A person liable for military service who is part of the reserve can be ordered to attend a refresher ...

About to enter into the military? Finnish liability for military service safeguarding the defence capability The Finnish Defence Forces will train conscripts to form a sustained combat-efficient wartime force and reserve. This will establish a pre...

Voluntary military service for women Interested in military service? You can apply for voluntary military service the year you turn 18. To apply, you must be a Finnish citizen and physically and mentally fit for military training. You can also app...

Get ready for military service If you get selected for service, you will receive your Military Service Order at the selection event or later by mail. It will tell you when and at which brigade-level unit you must report for service. The Military S...

Voluntary military service for women - Frequently asked questions

Exemption from refresher training exercise You may apply for exemption from a refresher training exercise: for health-related reasons for reasons related to work or studies for personal reasons In case you live abroad permanently. Exemption is gra...

12.2.2026 | The Army will exercise local defence during 20.2.–6.3.2026. The series of exercises will be participated by altogether up to c. 3,500 soldiers, a number of other authorities, as well as business sector organisations from across Finland.

21.1.2026 | The closing date for submitting applications for the voluntary military service for women was 15 January 2026. Altogether 1360 women applied to the voluntary military service in total.

5.6.2026 | The exercise, taking place in June 2-28 2026, is part of the cooperation between the Karelia Brigade and the Virginia National Guard under the official partnership program between Finland and Virginia National Guard.

20.2.2026 | The Finnish Defence Forces will participate this spring’s key arctic exercise series during 9.–20.3.2026. The Norwegian-led Cold Response 26 -exercise will convene up to c. 7,500 soldiers in Finland and c. 25,000 soldiers in Norway from altogether 14 nations. In Finland, the exercise activity will focus on the Finnish Defence Forces’ exercise area at Rovajärvi but forces will be on the move across northern Finland.

7.1.2026 | The Finnish Defence Forces prepare the participation in the military exercise Cold Response 2026 to be held in northern areas of Norway, Finland and Sweden in March 2026. 

5.11.2025 | Lively Sentry 25, led by the Guard Jaeger Regiment, will be organised from 27 November to 4 December 2025. The exercise will be conducted in the areas of East Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso and Päijät-Häme.

In the reserve Once you have completed the conscript service part of the liability for military service, you will be mustered out in the Finnish Defence Forces’ reserve. As part of the reserve, your competence and know-how will be sustained by ref...

Entailing activities that provide support to Finland’s national defence, voluntary national defence aims to strengthen people’s will to defend the country and enhance the survivability of both authorities and citizens alike in varying security situations.

Promotions in the reserve Military ranks and service ranks signify a supervisory position, training and task. Promotions in the reserve are based on the number of refresher training days, wartime task as well as suitability. You may accumulate the...

9.3.2022 | The application period for women’s voluntary military service closed on 1 March 2022. This year, a total of 1588 women applied to conscript service. This was the first time applications were submitted online through the E-service. Women who complete military service are and will be an important asset for the Defence Forces.

Accommodation, meals and clothing During the military service, you will be given free of charge accommodation, meals, clothing, health services and social support services. The Finnish Defence Forces will remain committed to sustaining and promoti...

Selection event Regional offices will invite those who applied for voluntary service to a selection event which will be organised in April. If you applied for service between 16 January 2025 and 15 January 2026, your selection event will take plac...

Readiness unit training Consisting of Finnish Army personnel and conscripts, the readiness units contribute to sustaining enhanced readiness in responding to rapid changes in the security environment on a national level. These units form part of t...