Contingent 1/26 to start service in the Army
The next contingent of conscripts will begin their military service on Monday, 5 January, 2026. Approximately 9500 conscripts will start their service in the Army brigade-level units.
Military service lasts 165, 255 or 347 days. The service period for conscripts being trained for rank and file duties is 165 or 255 days. The service period for officers, non-commissioned officers and conscripts being trained for especially demanding rank and file duties is 347 days. The latter constitute about a half of the conscripts and volunteers in military service.
The aim of conscript training is to produce capable forces for placement in the wartime units which help maintain the Defence Forces’ basic readiness and the capability to raise readiness when necessary. Conscript service improves individuals’ ability to act as a part of a larger community, their social skills and physical fitness.
The service starts off by a 6-week basic training period. For the first few weeks, conscripts learn the routines and daily schedules in their company and brigade-level units. During the basic training period, they acquire the foundations of military activity and the basic skills of a soldier in shooting, combat training and maintaining comprehensive human performance. The basic training period provides the conscripts in all services with a solid foundation on which to act as an individual soldier, or a part of a fireteam.
Selections for different training branches, service tasks and leadership training are made by the eighth week of service. In the branch-training phase, conscripts complete an individual training basic course, depending on the branch they have selected. Service task and leader selections determine the conscripts’ service task and service period as well as the conscripts accepted for leadership training.
Making use of special skills in conscript service
During the basic training period, conscripts can apply for special tasks that correspond to their skills, knowledge and earlier training and education. Special tasks that can be applied for during service provide conscripts with an opportunity to put their skills to good use, gain work experience and make contacts for the future. Special tasks are available, for example, in intelligence, information technology, research, public affairs and media and ecclesiastical field.
Measures to prevent the spread of respiratory infections in Army garrisons
The autumn of 2024 was exceptionally difficult in terms of more severe respiratory infections in the Defence Forces’ garrisons. For this reason, special attention is being paid in all Army company-level units to service organization, hand hygiene and disinfection of surfaces. These preventive measures are taken to avoid outbreaks of severe epidemics and the spread of possible viruses outside of the garrisons via conscripts. Each brigade-level unit will decide on detachment arrangements and whether a Family Day can be organised.
The Army keeps following the situation closely, adjusting its operation if necessary to secure in-service safety of its personnel and the conscripts.
