In Finland we have this thing called mandatory military service! Why do we hold on to it? Let's find out!
The numbers are not very favourable for Finnish people: We have a population of a fairly large city (5.5M) and our ground border with Russia is 1289 km (800 miles). What to do? Have all men serve in the Defence Forces and let women volunteer, of course!
With 22.000 conscripts trained annually, a war-time strength of 280.000 and a reserve of 900.000 fighters, military service touches virtually everyone. A man or woman in uniform doesn't draw attention on the street: everybody knows people who served, quite often by close relation.
The clothes and equipment issued by the FDF are actually quite good, but people often want to make things a bit more comfortable. This is what people most usually buy for their friend, family member, or significant other in service.
For more detailed information read the Wikipedia article on the Conscription in Finland.Photos of Finnish military conscripts
![](/pictures/8375b471136ced1b.jpg)
Group of soldiers attending a field exercise. Some of them have gone "gona" after several months of service, as is apparent from the stances.
![](/pictures/8375a15200835112.jpg)
Two soldiers catching a nap on a forest road while on foot march. Rest improves combat readiness!
![](/pictures/8375b47105b64d0b.jpg)
A platoon maneuvering in the woods in a combat exercise. Judging from the weather, its Finnish mid-summer.
Top picks to help your time in service
Your issued gear is made by the lowest bidder and designed for the masses. These items are smart choices to make your daily army living a bit more comfortable. And remember: a good soldier should always look after their combat readiness. Choosing the right gear for the mission is part of this.
Army tales
![Scho-Ka-Kola, 100 g Tin Box, Original](/pictures/thumbs50a/13207.jpg)
![Scho-Ka-Kola, 100 g Tin Box, Milk Chocolate](/pictures/thumbs50a/188606124ad8424aae.jpg)
![Scho-Ka-Kola, 100 g Tin Box](/pictures/thumbs240a/13207.jpg)
3.99 USD
![Kalakalle Smoked Salmon groats in tomato sauce, 235 g, canned](/pictures/thumbs240a/294435bfd2abe2d5fc.jpg)
5.99 USD
![Särmä Hiking Socks, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3875761cede99b5bda.jpg)
13.99 - 17.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3804063edef97646bf.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/38041612772b788faf.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool, Khaki](/pictures/thumbs50a/50718612772a4d7099.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool, Off-white](/pictures/thumbs50a/4263661277299ace85.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool, Orange](/pictures/thumbs50a/44874612772bf8227c.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Balaclava, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3804063edef97646bf.jpg)
24.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Right, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/435105e5f81727c9c5.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Right, Brown](/pictures/thumbs50a/467345e5f8183cf0c1.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Left, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/467325e5f817d1fde3.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon, w. Boltaron Sheath, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/5298262f104d0dc4c2.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon, w. Boltaron Sheath, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/5298362f104e2d2c98.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon Steel, w.o. Sheath](/pictures/thumbs50a/337265ab4d3cecd7c0.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 140, Carbon Steel](/pictures/thumbs240a/435105e5f81727c9c5.jpg)
49.99 - 89.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Right, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/435095e5f7a6c153de.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Right, Brown](/pictures/thumbs50a/467355e5f7a47ae7df.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon, w. Leather Sheath, Left, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/467365e5f7a56b07c8.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon, w. Boltaron Sheath, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/5264962f104b28f68a.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon, w. Boltaron Sheath, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/5265062f104c12e968.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon Steel, w.o. Sheath](/pictures/thumbs50a/337255e5f81e5a0a58.jpg)
![Terävä Jääkäripuukko 110, Carbon Steel](/pictures/thumbs240a/435095e5f7a6c153de.jpg)
46.99 - 86.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 Boxers, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3760861cb2cc32b0dd.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Boxers, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/3327861cb2c942bc69.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Boxers, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3760861cb2cc32b0dd.jpg)
29.99 USD
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Grill Master](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_grill_master-06579c20db1161.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Prince Colonel](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_prince_colonel-06579c25d18497.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, One Star Sheriff](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_one_star_sheriff-06579c26bc05e8.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Two Star Sheriff](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_two_star_sheriff-06579c2764d557.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Three Star Sheriff](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_three_star_sheriff-06579c2812f501.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Grill Sergeant](/pictures/thumbs50a/5766363a1c2e0d57b9.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Sauna Major](/pictures/thumbs50a/5766263a1c2ebc0b2e.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Sauna Gollum Candidate](/pictures/thumbs50a/5766063a1c30b0e2b5.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia, Sauna Gollum](/pictures/thumbs50a/5766163a1c2fe11ad0.jpg)
![Särmä Cottage Rank Insignia](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_cottage_rank_insignia_grill_master-06579c20db1161.jpg)
4.99 USD
![Särmä TST Name Tag w. Custom Text, Green-Black, 3-Pack (SEPARATE DELIVERY 4-6 WEEKS)](/pictures/thumbs50a/3058564141759303d4.jpg)
![Särmä TST Name Tag w. Custom Text, Khaki-Black, 3-Pack (SEPARATE DELIVERY 4-6 WEEKS)](/pictures/thumbs50a/46513641417d504dfb.jpg)
![Särmä TST Name Tag w. Custom Text, White-Black, 3-Pack (SEPARATE DELIVERY 4-6 WEEKS)](/pictures/thumbs50a/47177641417e8d081a.jpg)
![Särmä TST Name Tag w. Custom Text, Black-Gold, 3-Pack (SEPARATE DELIVERY 4-6 WEEKS)](/pictures/thumbs50a/3058664141767e84a0.jpg)
![Särmä TST Name Tag w. Custom Text, Reflector-Black, 3-Pack (SEPARATE DELIVERY 4-6 WEEKS)](/pictures/thumbs50a/30588641417c8753c7.jpg)
![Särmä TST M05 Name Tag w. Custom Text, 3-Pack](/pictures/thumbs240a/3058564141759303d4.jpg)
12.99 - 19.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Särmä TST Dry Bag, M05 Woodland Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/4261663ecc800dc5d4.jpg)
![Särmä TST Dry Bag](/pictures/thumbs240a/4261663ecc800dc5d4.jpg)
24.99 - 44.99 USD
![Kalakalle Grain-fed Pork, 235 g, canned](/pictures/thumbs240a/294425b6daf8272f4d.jpg)
5.99 USD
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Original, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/319975c49b1e5c06bb.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Five Peppers, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/319995c49b1d307b45.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Mild Habanero, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/320005c49b201b11a7.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Hot Naga, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/320015c49b1f429d95.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Smoked, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/320025c49b229a1771.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Garlic, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/kuivalihakundi_beef_jerky_garlic_150_g-0652e3aad956e0.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Teriyaki, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/kuivalihakundi_beef_jerky_teriyaki_150_g-0652e3aa270c1e.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky, 150 g](/pictures/thumbs240a/319975c49b1e5c06bb.jpg)
14.99 USD
![Kalakalle Ham Cock, 182 g, canned](/pictures/thumbs240a/33760.jpg)
5.99 USD
![Uni-Ball PowerTank RT SN-220 Ballpoint Pen, Black](/pictures/thumbs240a/kuulakarkikyna_powertank_rt_sn_220_musta_10_mm_uni_ball-064bfc93d073e4.jpg)
3.99 USD
![Särmä TST L2 Boot Socks, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/2857661cedde426b99.jpg)
19.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 Boxers, Merino Wool, 4-Pack](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_tst_l1_boxers_merino_wool_4_pack-066192417ca2d2.jpg)
107.99 USD
![Särmä TST FDF Morale Patch](/pictures/thumbs240a/51280611a14644fd7d.jpg)
4.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 T-shirt, Merino Wool, 3-Pack](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_tst_l1_t_shirt_merino_wool_3_pack-066261a7fb0082.jpg)
107.99 USD
![Casio F-91W-1YEG](/pictures/thumbs240a/5819663a4530785e6a.webp)
29.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Särmä TST General Purpose Pouch Zip S, M05 Woodland Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/48770611df7643f3ed.jpg)
![Särmä TST General Purpose Pouch Zip S, M05 Snow Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/56825637f350891e60.jpg)
![Särmä TST General Purpose Pouch Zip S](/pictures/thumbs240a/48770611df7643f3ed.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 neck tube, merino wool, green](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_tst_l1_neck_tube_merino_wool_green-066309cce0f6b7.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 neck tube, merino wool, black](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_tst_l1_neck_tube_merino_wool_black-066309a5cbb076.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Neck Tube, Merino Wool, Khaki](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_tst_l1_neck_tube_merino_wool_khaki-066309a6b5ae19.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Neck Tube, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_tst_l1_neck_tube_merino_wool_green-066309cce0f6b7.jpg)
15.99 USD
![Särmä Merino Wool Socks](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_merino_wool_socks-065b908b190be3.jpg)
9.99 - 12.99 USD
![Särmä TST L2 Turtleneck Shirt, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3757261c9a1171c617.jpg)
![Särmä TST L2 Turtleneck Shirt, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/3433861c9a16b8071b.jpg)
![Särmä TST L2 Turtleneck Shirt, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3757261c9a1171c617.jpg)
69.99 USD
![Tactical Foodpack Freeze-Dried Cookie Balls](/pictures/thumbs240a/55302628624abefb0c.jpg)
4.99 USD
![Austrian Combat Gloves, Surplus](/pictures/thumbs240a/413685ac34f2d73575.jpg)
19.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 Long Johns, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3575061cb2b9aa4a4d.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Long Johns, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/3574961cb27606d95d.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Long Johns, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3575061cb2b9aa4a4d.jpg)
44.99 USD
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Original, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4379361e6da563b71b.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Five Peppers, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4380161e6dcc14efba.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Mild Habanero, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4380061e6dc0828135.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Hot Naga, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4379961e6d6b4acb3d.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Smoked, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4379861e6dc95e7a08.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky Garlic, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs50a/4379761e6da1f4cc4e.jpg)
![Kuivalihakundi Beef Jerky, 50 g](/pictures/thumbs240a/4379361e6da563b71b.jpg)
5.99 USD
![Särmä TST waterproof notebook](/pictures/thumbs240a/38018593aa8c780151.jpg)
9.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 Liner Gloves, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/4266864020f31220e9.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Liner Gloves, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/4266964020f48da44d.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Liner Gloves, Merino Wool, Khaki](/pictures/thumbs50a/5072364020f552320d.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 Liner Gloves, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/4266864020f31220e9.jpg)
26.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Särmä TST Organizer pocket, Ranger Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_tst_organizer_pocket_green-066796234a1102.jpg)
![Särmä TST Organizer pocket, black](/pictures/thumbs50a/sarma_tst_organizer_pocket_black-06679629df115b.jpg)
![Särmä TST Organizer pocket](/pictures/thumbs240a/sarma_tst_organizer_pocket_green-066796234a1102.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Särmä TST Finnish M05 Rank Insignia, Full Color](/pictures/thumbs50a/2315058dcd7c81a4ad.jpg)
![Särmä TST Finnish M05 Rank Insignia, Subdued Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3763358dcd8258562e.jpg)
![Särmä TST Finnish M05 Rank Insignia, Subdued Desert](/pictures/thumbs50a/481365fede48d33247.jpg)
![Särmä TST Finnish M05 Rank Insignia](/pictures/thumbs240a/2315058dcd7c81a4ad.jpg)
1.99 - 4.99 USD
![Särmä TST L1 T-shirt, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/3760961c9a39865b73.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 T-shirt, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/2868261c9a3be51809.jpg)
![Särmä TST L1 T-shirt, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3760961c9a39865b73.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Särmä TST L2 Long Johns, Merino Wool, Green](/pictures/thumbs50a/4017561cb2c28b6606.jpg)
![Särmä TST L2 Long Johns, Merino Wool, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/4017661cb2be5681c1.jpg)
![Särmä TST L2 Long Johns, Merino Wool](/pictures/thumbs240a/4017561cb2c28b6606.jpg)
59.99 USD
![Jalas FX2 insoles](/pictures/thumbs240a/18326.jpg)
24.99 USD
![Petzl Aria 2 RGB headlamp, Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/petzl_aria_2_rgb_headlamp_camo-064d0c7208ebfd.jpg)
![Petzl Aria 2 RGB headlamp, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/petzl_aria_2_rgb_headlamp_black-064d0c72b73127.jpg)
![Petzl Aria 2 RGB headlamp](/pictures/thumbs240a/petzl_aria_2_rgb_headlamp_camo-064d0c7208ebfd.jpg)
59.99 USD
![Särmä TST Mechanix The Original Gloves, M05](/pictures/thumbs240a/5341262e90f7e8002e.jpg)
29.99 USD
![Petzl Aria 1 RGB headlamp, Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/petzl_aria_1_rgb_headlamp_camo-064d0c6e8d64f8.jpg)
![Petzl Aria 1 RGB headlamp, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/petzl_aria_1_rgb_headlamp_black-064d0c6fc4d01b.jpg)
![Petzl Aria 1 RGB headlamp](/pictures/thumbs240a/petzl_aria_1_rgb_headlamp_camo-064d0c6e8d64f8.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Dark Energy, Poseidon Pro, Camo](/pictures/thumbs50a/54553624d92160b9c5.jpg)
![Dark Energy, Poseidon Pro, Black](/pictures/thumbs50a/54552624d920e146e4.jpg)
![Dark Energy, Poseidon Pro Power Bank](/pictures/thumbs240a/54551624d9329accad.jpg)
129.99 USD
![Hoppes Boresnake](/pictures/thumbs240a/153525877778bc5645.jpg)
17.99 USD
![Princeton Tec Remix RGB Headlamp](/pictures/thumbs240a/54739629f067223d1b.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Princeton Tec Remix Pro MPLS headlamp, Black (Red / Green / IR, and White)](/pictures/thumbs50a/407585a9569290e8c4.jpg)
![Princeton Tec Remix Pro MPLS headlamp, Green (Red and White)](/pictures/thumbs50a/533356192669a7a08c.jpg)
![Princeton Tec Remix Pro MPLS headlamp, Tan (Red and White)](/pictures/thumbs50a/559976299fb7ed3070.jpg)
![Princeton Tec Remix Pro MPLS headlamp, Black (Red and White)](/pictures/thumbs50a/55730627234d77fbba.jpg)
![Princeton Tec Remix Pro MPLS headlamp](/pictures/thumbs240a/407565a9567c0be459.jpg)
79.99 USD
![Kierto product](/media/kierto_icon_en.png)
![Gerber MP600 Needlenose multi tool](/pictures/thumbs240a/3511858d28cfdc57d0.jpg)
99.99 USD
![Princeton Tec Point MPLS, green, white](/pictures/thumbs50a/407805a9e6f69cf426.jpg)
![Princeton Tec Point MPLS](/pictures/thumbs240a/407755a9e6e124612f.jpg)
49.99 USD
![Casio W-800H-1AVES](/pictures/thumbs240a/5820363e4f1b642e08.jpg)
41.99 USD
![Clenzoil Cobra Bore Cleaning System](/pictures/thumbs240a/5470863aedcd86a354.jpg)
15.99 USD
![Casio W-202-1AVEF](/pictures/thumbs240a/5819763a453fe7ef32.jpg)
39.99 USD
![Särmä TST "Ohi On" Morale Patch, 165](/pictures/thumbs50a/475155ece37659a71b.jpg)
![Särmä TST "Ohi On" Morale Patch, 347](/pictures/thumbs50a/475135ece37420bcbf.jpg)
![Särmä TST "Ohi On" Morale Patch, 255](/pictures/thumbs50a/475145ece385bcc363.jpg)
![Särmä TST Ohi On Morale Patch](/pictures/thumbs240a/475155ece37659a71b.jpg)
1.99 USD
![Casio AE-1500WH-1AVEF](/pictures/thumbs240a/58194639990bdbc231.jpg)
49.99 USD
![Salomon Toundra Forces CSWP](/pictures/thumbs240a/salomon_toundra_forces_cswp-064f5d9a59a394.jpg)
199.99 USD
![Dutch Dry Sack, Large, Black, Unissued](/pictures/thumbs240a/dutch_dry_sack_large_black_surplus-06477282ec7dc4.jpg)
24.99 USD
![Leatherman Bond Multi-Tool](/pictures/thumbs240a/554046295efc225a2c.jpg)
73.99 USD
![Light My Fire FireSteel Bio Army](/pictures/thumbs240a/33900.jpg)
17.99 USD
![Robens Fjell Trekking Towel, Medium](/pictures/thumbs50a/5508462728842ca114.jpg)
![Robens Fjell Trekking Towel, Large](/pictures/thumbs50a/550856272883999184.jpg)
![Robens Fjell Trekking Towel](/pictures/thumbs240a/550836272885132096.jpg)
14.99 - 17.99 USD
![UCO Waterproof Matches, 4-pack](/pictures/thumbs240a/54950624ff648ecd1e.jpg)
3.99 USD
![Light My Fire Spork Titanium](/pictures/thumbs240a/1288962c585c192925.jpg)
18.99 USD