Posted on 05/17/2022 12:14:27 PM PDT by Cronos
On a windy military island off Helsinki, people from all walks of life are spending their weekend doing military training, as volunteer numbers soar and Finland readies to join Nato to protect itself from Russia.
Finland's defence forces only have around 13,000 employed personnel but the country of 5.5 million boasts an impressive 900,000 reservists with a wartime strength of 280,000 troops.
Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia.
For many of the participants attending this weekend's training course on Santahamina Island, Moscow's Feb 24 invasion of another neighbour, Ukraine, was the deciding factor that got them to sign up.
"These recent events in Ukraine were the final sign that it is necessary to be prepared in one's own life, so that if something ever happens, one is better equipped for a crisis," said 30-year-old engineer Ville Mukka after learning how to fight off a knife attack.
He and the other volunteers donned camouflage uniforms, some wearing helmets with branches tucked in them, as they trained in hand-to-hand combat, detecting explosives, and squad movement in the forest.
In the week after the war in Ukraine started, enrolment for the voluntary defence courses soared.
"Interest in voluntary training was about 10 times higher than in normal years," said Mr Ossi Hietala, 28, a representative of course organiser MPK, the National Defence Training Association of Finland.
While around 600 people usually register during a normal week, the number enrolling in MPK courses in the last week of February jumped to 6,000.
To meet the increased demand, MPK received additional funding of nearly three million euros (S$4.35 million) from the state in April.
Finland fought two bloody wars against the Soviet Union during World War II, with the Nordic country ultimately ceding vast areas of land to its powerful eastern neighbour.
"You don't have to go too far back in history to find points of convergence (with what is happening today), which is quite worrying," said Mr Tuomas Vare, 43, one of the participants on the course. "Perhaps that's part of the reason why I have become more active in training."
Less than three months after Russia launched its attack on Ukraine, the Finnish government on Sunday (May 15) announced its official intention to apply for Nato membership, ditching its decades-old policy of military non-alignment as public and political support for membership soared.
For some volunteers, the decision was a welcome one.
"I think that Finland as a small country has no other reasonable way to defend itself and its own sovereignty. Yes, I am in favour of the alliance," Mr Mukka said.
Finland's decision, taken in tandem with neighbouring Sweden, has angered Moscow, which has warned the two countries to expect a "response".
The courses organised by MPK, the coordinating body for Finland's volunteer national defence, offer a wide range of training aimed at preparing citizens for crises.
"The participants in MPK's courses are just ordinary Finnish people. These people want to come to the courses to develop their skills, practice and learn new things," Mr Hietala said.
MPK trains around 40,000 Finns every year.
The training ranges from basics like map reading and camping in the forest, to advanced courses in sniper rifles and anti-tank weapons, for example.
While there are courses available for people of all backgrounds, most of the participants are reservists refreshing their skills.
"I myself have served in Kosovo after the war in the 1990s, and I feel that there is a similar atmosphere now. So it's good to be prepared for the next round if there is one," financial consultant Marko Jarvelin, 48, said.
Unlike most other European countries, Finland bases its defence on compulsory military service.
All men aged 18-60 in the Nordic country are liable for conscription, while women can apply for military service on a voluntary basis.
Every year, over 20,000 young conscripts do their military training, which lasts from six months up to nearly a year. Upon completion they enter the reserves.
"Reservists make up about 96 per cent of the defence forces' wartime strength, meaning they are a very important part of Finland's military defence," said Mr Hietala.
"A very large proportion of the adult population has received military training at some point in their lives," he added.
I had read Russians used to shop/vacation in Finland but that has all stopped since the invasion.
I’m going to Say if Russia withdraws the first person to claim credit for the win will be Biden and the Democrats.
The economy would shoot up if Sanctions on Russia were lifted as part of some peace breakout settlement.
The arithmetic on this one seems a little strange... perhaps they meant "90,000 reservists" with the balance of the 280,000 "wartime strength" being local militia?
Perhaps, but economies don't turn on a dime. Reagan's tax cuts took almost 3 years before the positive effects were undeniable. The current economic woes will be with us for quite some time.
Good point.
I halfway expect to get a call from a Finn wanting his 20MM Lahti anti tank rifle, 7 shot semi auto, back. Beautiful piece, mounted on skis, and they had about 250 of them. They were extremely helpful in keeping Ivan out of Finland in WW II. The one here at the shop could be re-activated very quickly and would absolutely rip up all those Russian apc type rigs.
Hopefully some of those young men have the marksmanship skills of another Finn, Simo Hayha
They never stopped conscription since WW2, so I believe the bulk of the male population, within the age range, has served its term in the military, and is subject to call-up.
Cool!
This is precisely the ratio expected. Compare, for example, to Switzerland. Three categories...soldiers on active duty (regular army), active reservists (national guard equivalent), and inactive reserves (have military training but don't actively drill..i.e. "militia").
I believe 900,000 is correct.
That would seem to be the explanation. Pretty much the Israeli model.
I never thought I'd see a redux of The Russo/Finish War of 1939/40.
Even if Ivan's blustering again and this isn't 1939 it still is remarkable how history repeats itself ''First as tragedy and second as Farce''.
Simo Hayaa - aka the White Death. Do not mess with the Finns. They know how to fight and they have long memories.
Being a military history nut myself, it is truly amazing to what we are seeing right now.
What’s that saying “History may not repeat itself but it surely rhymes”
“Beautiful piece, mounted on skis, and they had about 250 of them. “
They used to advertise them and Solothurns in Sports Afield In the 60s.
AKA “the White Death.”
Dude got in the way of an exploding round that took off half of his lower right jaw and a good portion of his cheek just days before the Winter War ended.
He was later royally pizzed when he wasn’t allowed to enlist to fight in WW2.
One tough dude.
Hated Russians.
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