Frequently asked questions about voluntary military service for women
This site is for frequently asked questions about voluntary military service for women and answers to those questions. We have grouped the questions under different themes: questions related to the application and application process, those related to service and finally, questions related to the Border Guard.
Should you have further questions about the application process or service, do not hesitate to contact your Regional officeLinkki toiselle sivustolle
Why to apply for military service?
What is it that you find worth defending? If your answer is, for example, health and well-being, family, friends, education, safety and security, freedom, or democracy, we are on the same page.
Military service is not for men only. More than 14,000 Finnish women have completed voluntary military service in Finland. Women can serve in any of the Defence Forces’ units and tasks. If possible, the service location is close to the person’s place of residence, and their service task is determined partly on the basis of the Defence Forces’ needs.
What can military service offer you?
- An occupation or profession; the first step towards studies in the National Defence University and an Officer’s career
- Interesting civilian job opportunities
- Skills and knowledge that benefit you in your studies or at work
- Lifelong friends, unforgettable experiences and excellent facilities for physical exercise
- Numerous possibilities after your service (such as Crisis management operations, tasks in voluntary national defence)
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 apply later, the year you turn 29 at the latest. You can complete military service in any of the Defence Forces’ units and tasks. See instructions and submit your application!
Remember at least the following:
- Apply on time, not at the last minute: The application must be submitted to the online service during 15 January at the latest. You can also apply for service by using a paper application and sending it to your regional office. A printable application form can be found here. Make sure your application is received by the Regional office by 15 January.
- Do not forget to sign and date your paper application. Also make sure to send both required attachments, filled in appropriately, to your regional office.
- Also attach the Medical Certificate you received at the medical examination, unless the physician has already delivered it to the regional office. Should this be the case, make a note of this in your application.
- If you wish to apply for special operations forces/special tasks, you nevertheless have to submit the application for voluntary military service for women.
Depends on when you complete your studies. It is easier to get selected for the January contingent, but if you finish your studies in summer, for example, it is also possible to get selected for the July contingent of the year in which you apply.
Yes, they can.
Yes, we have an online application system. You can use it by first logging into MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi/
You can find information about that at https://intti.fi/erikoisjoukot
You apply to special operations forces according to each unit’s application schedule. Applications for all units’ training special operations forces are submitted to the Defence Forces online service at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi/.
NOTE! In addition to the application for special operations forces, you must also submit the application for voluntary military service for women by 15 January at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi/.
Submit an online application for voluntary military service to the Defence Forces Online service at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi. A Medical Certificate must be attached to your online application. You can find the Medical Certificate form (7550-441-2221) on the Defence Forces’ website: https://puolustusvoimat.fi/lomakkeet
Note! You can apply using a paper application form and sending it to the regional office. The paper application form can be found HERE.
No, the physician doing the examination must use the Defence Forces’ Medical Certificate form. The form is available at https://puolustusvoimat.fi/lomakkeet
You can submit your application using the Defence Forces’ online service at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi. Use your online banking code, mobile ID or electronic identity card to log in to the online service. The application must be received by the Defence Forces on 15 January at the latest. You can also send a paper application to your regional office. A printable application form is available on our website.
Service each year in April. Invitations to the selection events are posted in March. Decisions on service locations and start dates are made either at the selection event or immediately after it.
If you get selected for service, you will receive your Military Service Order at the selection event or within the following two weeks by mail. It will tell you when and at which brigade-level unit you must report for service.
You can apply the year you turn 18 until the year you turn 29. You cannot start your service until you are 18. In other words, if you turn 18 in October the year you apply, you cannot start your service in July that year.
Please contact your regional office. Your regional office will find out whether you can attend a selection event of another regional office.
You can also negotiate with your regional office whether you could attend an examination event organised by the regional office. Your regional office will tell you the dates.
It is indeed a good idea to make a notification if you wish to cancel your application or attendance to the selection event. These are not punishable actions, but notification is appreciated.
If you have already received your Military Service Order, inform your regional office in writing (an email or a letter) of your situation before the service start date. Include your full name (first names + family name), date of birth and contact details in the notification, so that the regional office can confirm that your cancellation has been received and your Military Service Order revoked.
Women can apply for unarmed service after they have attended a selection event and received their Military Service Order.
For more information: https://intti.fi/muut-palvelusvaihtoehdot-ja-palveluksesta-vapautetut
If you applied through the MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service, you can also cancel your application there.
If you sent a paper application by mail, you can send a written notification to your regional office by mail, saying that you want to cancel your application and attendance at the selection event.
If you have already received your Military Service Order, you can have it revoked by an informal notification to your regional office by mail or email before your service start. Include your full name (first names + family name), date of birth and contact details in the notification, so that the regional office can confirm that your cancellation has been received and your Military Service Order revoked.
You can reapply if you are between 18 and 29 years of age. Submit a new application through the Defence Forces’ online service. Make a mention in your application of your earlier application or service time.
You have to report for service if you have not notified your regional office of cancellation in writing. The regional office should be notified of the cancellation before the start date of service. Failing to report for service without this written cancellation is punishable.
As a rule, decisions on service tasks are made during service and more specifically, during the branch training phase. But of course, you can talk about your preferences at the selection event. Before service, you will also receive a recruit letter from your service location, with a link to a recruit survey. You can state your preferences also when answering the survey.
You may seek reimbursement from the Defence Forces for the costs of the medical certificate if you use public medical services. This can be done with the same online form you use to apply for service. There is a specific section in the form for seeking reimbursement. Give your bank account code and attach the receipt from your health centre.
Make an appointment for medical examination at your local health centre. When making the appointment, say you are coming for a fitness for service examination. Fill in the preliminary questionnaire about health issues, print it out and take it with you to the medical examination.
You can apply for the change of service location. You can find the appropriate form here: puolustusvoimat.fi/asiointi/lomakkeet
Fill in the form and give grounds for the need to change the service location.
You can apply for the change of service start date. You can find the appropriate form here: puolustusvoimat.fi/asiointi/lomakkeet
Fill in the form and give grounds for the need to change the service start date. Attach a statement from your school/university about your studies.
If the July contingent is not full, it is possible to start service already in the year you apply. However, you should also have a plan B, in case the July contingent is full.
Yes, you can; just print out the Defence Forces’ medical examination form (7550-441-2221) and give it to the physician to fill in. You can find the form at: puolustusvoimat.fi/asiointi/lomakkeet.
Please note that reimbursement can only be sought of costs of medical examinations at public health centres in Finland.
Women do not attend a call-up event in Autumn. Instead, based on the applications for voluntary military service, regional offices invite them to a selection event which is organised in April. You can read more about the selection event at https://intti.fi/valintatilaisuus. Apply for voluntary military service for women through MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi
Submit your online application and attachments by 15 January.
It is also possible to apply using a paper form.
You must start your service the year you turn 29 at the latest. You are ordered to serve in the January or the July contingent of the year you turn 29. Regardless of the contingent, you can serve 165, 255 or 347 days.
Asthma does not impede service, as long as you remember to take your medicine regularly and preventively. Talk about it to the physician at the selection event and in the interview. Do not forget to take the medical certificate to the selection event.
You’ll get all the details in the recruit letter. The essentials include your Military Service Order, official id, possible medical statements or certificates, vaccination card, bank account number, online banking code and personal hygiene necessities. Please check the list in the recruit letter before you start service. You can also have a look at the instructions at intti.fi/ensimmaista-kertaa-joukko-osastoon.
We would appreciate it if you could give your size - especially if it is small or big - in the recruit survey. You will be requested to answer the recruit survey before your service start date at MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi. You will be provided with clothing and equipment that are the right size during the first days of service.
There are questions about special diets in the recruit survey.
A: Fit for all service tasks, no medical restrictions.
B: A medical restriction which has to be considered during service but which does not prevent military service. An example of such a restriction is overweight (BMI over 30)
C: Exempted from peacetime military service for medical reasons (e.g. diabetes)
E: Fitness for service to be determined later.
For women, fitness for service classes C and E are relevant only after 30 days of service.
The length of the service term depends on your service task and is therefore partly dependent on your own preferences and skills. As a rule, decisions on service tasks are made at the beginning of the branch training phase. Military training takes 165, 255 or 347 days.
You will do just fine with average fitness. Of course, physical training during service will be less demanding for you if you work to improve your fitness before service. Garrison areas are large and sometimes you may have to walk long distances, so this is also something you could practise for. The Defence Forces has an application for physical training, Marsmars.fi
Field hygiene is very important for us. Each platoon is equipped with hand soap, but you may also want to pack your own soap and towel and some intimate hygiene wipes.
You can always pack sanitary towels, painkillers or prescription medicine for menstrual pain just in case, as well as hand sanitizer. If you need sanitary towels but haven’t brought them, you can ask your platoon leader where to get them.
If time allowed for latrine is insufficient, do not hesitate to say that to your platoon leader or personnel. It is important to take care of hygiene to avoid infections. Period does not have to be a problem - one just has to prepare a little.
See instructions for applying at www.intti.fi/naisten-vapaaehtoinen-asepalvelus.
Submit the application at MyMilitary (OmaIntti) online service by 15 January. Do not forget to attach the Medical Certificate!
The attitude towards women is the same as it is towards men. There are separate showers and toilet facilities for women, but for example in field training exercises men and women sleep in the same tent. Unisex rooms in garrisons are in use with the conscripts’ consent. These rooms accommodate both men and women. You will be asked for your consent to shared accommodation in the recruit survey.
Each and every conscript and employee of the Defence Forces are obligated to foster fair and equal treatment of everyone during military service.
You do not have to be tall to do just fine in military service. Some things may be harder or more challenging for shorter people, but persistence will get you anywhere! Physical strength also helps; the rucksack and weapon may be heavy to carry at first. Walking long distances is also something you could start practising for well before your service, so that your feet get used to walking and will not get blistered right away.
No, you don’t, but your hair has to be tied during service hours.
Women in voluntary military service are entitled to the same benefits and allowances as men. They work the same way for both sexes. You can apply for Kela's conscript’s allowance for the duration of your service:
• Housing allowance
• assistance towards interest payments on student loans
• Basic and special assistance for a family member
• maintenance assistance for a child
• General housing assistance
You can apply for the conscript's allowance online about a month before the start date of your service. For more information, see kela.fi/sotilasavustus.
No, you will learn the necessary skills during training. At the same time, all knowledge and skills you have acquired before your service will benefit you.
You can apply for a transfer if you have served more than 30 days. Deliver your application for non-military service to a designated person in your brigade-level unit. The brigade-level unit will deliver it to the regional office, which will make a decision and post it to you. You cannot apply for non-military service until you have served 30 days.
The chances are high. The main recruitment area of North Karelia Border Guard Border Jaeger Company covers both South Karelia and Kymenlaakso. If you wish to do the basic Border Guard course and possibly move on to Officer training and the Border Guard, say that in the selection event organised by your regional office. Your regional office is the Southeast Finland Regional Office, which deals with military service matters in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso.
From the Border Guard companies, the most successful of those having completed a NCO course are selected to Reserve Officer School Reconnaissance Company, to be specialised either in reconnaissance or reconnaissance fire control. After the basic training period, those serving in Onttola can also apply for Signal NCO Course in Kainuu Brigade. After the Signal NCO Course, conscripts go back to Onttola to serve as NCOs. Those selected to and completing Reserve Officer School continue their service either in Onttola or in Kainuu Brigade as Officer Candidates.
All students accepted to Officer training in the National Defence University have the same starting point in the Military Academy. After about 18 months of studies, cadets, in the order of their ranking in the mid-term assessment, get to choose their future specialisation/branch. Diligent and hard-working cadets may thus get to choose a specialisation in the Border Guard.
In the Army programme, we have the Border Guard programme (intake about 14/course), the Border Guard C5 programme (1-2/course) and the logistics programme (on average 1/course). Students accepted to officer training in the Navy programme can also select the Coast Guard programme in the first mid-term assessment (intake 8/course).
The Border Guard programmes include a service/branch-specific phase (from June of the second academic year to August of the third academic year) which takes place mainly at the Border and Coast Guard Academy in Immola (students in the Army programme) and at the Border and Coast Guard Academy in Immola and Turku as well as at the Naval Academy (students in the Navy programme).
Officers graduating from the Border Guard programmes are appointed to a permanent junior officer’s post at the Border Guard.
For more information about applying for officer training, see upseeriksi.fi.
You can apply for the basic Border Guard course during your military service or after it. The course is open to applications throughout the year. Instructions for applying are published annually. The basic Border Guard course, organised by the Border and Cost Guard Academy, is the only establishment in Finland that trains border guards. Students to the course are selected by Commandant of the Academy, based on aptitude and selection points.
The basic course is not an academic degree nor does it equal to study programmes in upper secondary education. The basic course takes 12 months. The course provides the skills and authorisation for the post of a border guard. It gives the professional competence needed in demanding daily tasks at the border guard and border control stations as well as in the border control section/equiv. The aim is to provide readiness for junior border guard’s duties. After gaining more experience, a border guard can take on duties of a team leader.
For more information about applying for the basic border guard course, see Border Guard training - Apply for the basic course I Border Guard
Those graduating from the Border Guard Officer training programmes are eligible to be appointed for junior officer posts (leadership tasks) at the Border Guard.
A junior officer’s early career tasks include, for example, instructing conscripts and taking on duties of a Border Guard Officer at border guard and control stations.
Graduates from Coast Guard programmes can work as officers at Coast Guard stations and international border crossing points. After gaining experience, officers can also work as officer of the watch on Border Guard vessels. (Rank: Lieutenant and First Lieutenant)
Post-graduate training (MA)
1.1 Master of Military Sciences
About 60% of those graduated as bachelors of Military Sciences in the Border Guard programmes proceed to pursue Master of Military Sciences.
In the Border Guard, a typical early career task for an officer with a Master's degree is company second in command or branch chief in an administrative unit in a headquarters. After a few years, typical duties include, for example, commanding officer of a conscript unit, guard station commander, or chief of a functional area in a headquarters. (Rank: First Lieutenant - Captain)
1.2 Senior Staff Officer Course
All Border Guard officers who have completed Master of Military Sciences also take a 6-month Senior Staff Officer Course at the National Defence University.
Typical tasks of a senior staff officer include working as an instructor in the Border and Cost Guard Academy, as a chief of branch in administrative units or as a specialist in the Border Guard Headquarters. (Rank: Major - Lieutenant Colonel)
1.3 General Staff Officer Course
All Border Guard officers who have completed Master of Military Sciences can apply for a 2-year General Staff Officer Course in the National Defence University.
The General Staff Officer Course is a gateway to a senior officer’s tasks in the Borer Guard Headquarters and headquarters of other administrative units. (Rank: Major - highest ranks up to General)
The basic course qualifies the graduates for the post of a Border Guard and “rank-and-file duties” of the Border Guards. (Rank: Border Guard - Senior Border Guard)
Further training:
Advanced Course for Border Guards
After 8-12 years of service, border guards can complete the Advanced Course for Border Guards (Rank: Border Guard Sergeant). The Advanced Course prepares, for example, for team leadership duties and conducting pre-trial investigation, and provides the basics needed in leading operational field activities and in a duty officer's tasks in control rooms and command centres.
Border Guard Master Sergeant's Course
Border Guard Master Sergeant's Course after 15-20 years of service (Rank: Border Guard Master Sergeant) The Master Sergeant's Course is the highest-level Border Guard training course, giving the skills needed for a superior's duties in a unit.