The Training in The Reserve Officer School
In Finland, the military service is 6, 9 or 12 months long. Those chosen for NCO positions are sent after the 8-week basic training to the NCO schools of their respective garrisons or branches and ordered to serve 12 months. After the first seven weeks of the NCO school, those most suitable for officer training are selected on the basis of the first phase of the NCO school and the basic training. Most officer students are high school graduates and start university studies after their military service. Some have already graduated from a university.
In the Reserve Officer School the officer students receive training for the duties of platoon leader (or equivalent). The curriculum includes studies in leadership, tactics and physical education. After a 3½-month-long course, the officer students are promoted to officer cadets and sent to their 'home' garrisons to train their war-time platoons from the recruits. After 5½ months of service as officer cadets, they are promoted second lieutenants and discharged.
Traditionally, the training of a reserve officer has carried certain social distinction and has been tied to high positions in industry and economy. E.g. former Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila was the Chairman of his Reserve Officer Course.
The high education of most reserve officers gives the Finnish Defence Forces a chance to fill many war-time vacancies on the basis of civilian professions. For instance, a manager of a civilian transportation company might have a wartime placement as a brigade-level logistics officer. Conscripts who are medical students or doctors are usually given special training to become reserve medical officers.
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