Finnish Rapid Deployment Force - Conscript Training

Conscript Training

Only volunteer conscripts that have passed an entry test and not yet started their military service can apply for FRDF training, with few exceptions. The test consist of basic physical, intelligence, psychological and English tests. These tests are the same that all FDF conscripts take before selection for NCO training, with the exception of an interview and English language test. As of 2002, all FRDF servicemen are trained to be at least NCOs. The requirements aren't considered to be nearly as high as those of Army and Navy special forces, such as the Para Jägers and Combat Divers.

About 50% of applicants are accepted every year. Applicants are typically young men (18–20 years old) who have already been assigned a place to complete their mandatory conscript service, but voluntarily want to apply for international training in addition to national defence training. Women can also be accepted, but typically make up less than 10% of trainees. Up to a few dozen servicemen fail to complete their training every year, usually because of poor suitability to the required NCO training, physical problems or general lack of motivation.

After training, servicemen can voluntarily sign a "readiness contract" for one year at a time. This obligates them to, if needed, participate in training for crisis management or peacekeeping operations during that year within a week's notice. In practice, the contract serves as an application for participating in a peacekeeping mission such as KFOR. Most servicemen who complete their training do sign this contract. FRDF-trained reservists are usually given top priority for places in international peacekeeping operations, although normal FDF reservists can apply.

The FRDF service itself does not differ radically from the standard Finnish conscript service. Still, there are key differences:

• All servicemen are at least trained as NCOs, and serve the maximum amount of conscript service time in the FDF, 362 days. The usual time for conscripts is 180 or 270 days.

• The first six months of training are basically the same as for all Finnish conscript NCOs or reserve officer candidates. After approximately 6 months, the NCO and reserve officer training is completed and is followed by a 2-month special training period. Some servicemen are trained as medics and vehicle drivers during this period, while others are given special small arms and combat training. This period is followed by a short "group training" phase, a final combat exercise where the national defence training is tested. The conscript training is ended by a three-month international period during which the servicemen often live in base camps simulating those used in international missions. The servicemen train patrolling, checkpoint operation, cooperation with foreign forces, riot control, cordon & search etc.

• The training usually culminates in an international exercise. These exercises have been organized yearly in Lithuania (Amber Hope), Norway (Battle Griffin) and other countries. FRDF conscripts last participated in the NATO Partnership for peace multinational exercise Amber Hope 2007.

The main FRDF training site is at Porin Prikaati (Pori Brigade) located in Säkylä, Finland. The core units are trained here, the arms branches varying yearly, with some years placing emphasis on the training of combat engineers and others on infantry, etc.

Additionally, anti-NBC training is given to volunteer FRDF servicemen at the Suojelukoulu in Keuruu.