More than 6 700 young people muster out into the reserve of the Finnish Army: “After my military service, I will miss my mates of our barracks room”

Tomorrow 14 December 2017, more than 6 700 young people muster out into the reserve of the Finnish Army’s eight brigade-level units. The majority of the Army conscripts now mustering out have served in the Kainuu Brigade, Karelia Brigade as well as Pori Brigade.

One of the conscripts mustering out on Thursday is Corporal Tuomo Riihelä who serves in the Karelia Brigade.

The 19-year-old Corporal Riihelä has a smile on his face. Having participated in the combat exercise Repo 217 of the Karelia Brigade in late November, Riihelä’s will and determination never waned in wet terrain or by being in constant readiness for his conscript service is now close to its completion.

– After my military service, I will miss my mates of our barracks room. With my mates we’ve already booked a cruise trip to celebrate completing the military. I have a feeling that we will keep in touch also after the military, Riihelä says.

Having begun his military service in January, Corporal Riihelä from Helsinki now returns from the military service back to work. According to Riihelä, this conscript service has turned out to be both an invaluable and appreciated experience as such.

– I’ve spent a lot of time in the field in exercises and drills. This has taught me survival skills in terrain, which is bound to be useful back in the civilian world as well.

The gunners Teemu Iivari, Julius Lahtinen, Tommi Juhala and Joni Siltala also participated in the combat exercise Repo 217. They were busy preparing firing positions for the field gun.

The four gunners gave a little chuckle when remembering their past conscript service experiences. It is clear that they have shared both happy as well as somewhat difficult moments over the course of the year.

– But I must say our team is awesome, Tommi Juhala says.