It’s official, I’m in the army now.
Well, soon anyway, service official starts July 11, 2011. Post: Santahamina (pron Sahnta- hah-mean-ah) base, Helsinki.
I learned my fate during the conscript interview process known as “the call-up”*.
The army had wanted me to travel to Finland in April to undertake call-up, frustrating because my brother Matt and cousin Will as boys* had not been expected to partake in this interview process before they started service in January.
After several sharp “but isn’t Finland known for gender equality?” emails sent from my journalist account, a compromise was met and I was called on to attend a late interview on June 29.
The day finally arrived. I had pressed my white shirt, pinned my Australian/Finnish flag badge to its collar, and was looking pretty sharp.
I arrived at Santahamina base early just after 08:00 for a 9:00 interview. It wasn’t long before I realised the interview wasn’t just for me.
A trickle of young men, boys really, began to arrive after me, some came by bus others dropped off by their mums – an embarrassing act for teenagers the world over.
Others drove themselves in big cars. Two were even accompanied by their girlfriends, who were not shy to publically expressed their love for one another*.
After half an hour the military policeman realised I too was here for call-up and sent me to wait with the group of rather unruly boys who were puffing away on their second and third cigarettes.
Lined up against the gate and identities checked, we were soon mini-bused inside the base to begin the call-up process.
Numbered, mine 25, we were instructed to sit down and wait. (I get the impression there will be alot of waiting around in the army)
Before I knew it Major Juhanni Raanto, a very fair and respectable man, pulled me aside for the day’s briefing (in English)
Here, in the privacy of the locker/sauna room, I learnt that :
– I had been accepted to start in July, given there were three spots on garrison still open to women.
– As a woman I will have 45 days grace period at the beginning of my service, during which time I can go home if I decide it’s just not for me.
– But if I am dismissed for medical reasons after this time, I’m expected to return to Finland to complete service before turning 30, if fit to do so.
– I was also reminded that I will be extra work for everyone, given I don’t speak Finnish.
– And finally the process of the call-up was explained, involving a visit to the doctor and a meeting with the interview panel.
Relieved that my trip half way across the world had not been made in haste, I returned to sit in my place among the rows of desks.
The major proceeded to explain the call-up process to the other conscripts in Finnish. He struggled however, to command the attention of some of the boys fixated on the TV at the front of the room playing provocative booty-liscious videos on Finland’s MTV channel.
One-by-one we were called into the hallway where, again, we were told to wait in-line to see the doctor. It was here I realised these conscripts, many who were now onto their fifth and sixth cigarettes, were not as pleased as me to be here.
I later learned I was taking part of the late call-up round, where conscripts seek their C-papers – a pass-out of service*.
This should have clicked when the young lad ahead of me walked out of the doctor’s room celebrating his recreational drug taking exemption.
No wonder the doctor, and interview panel of three, while a little perplexed with me, had been very praising of my “positive attitude” and urged me to “stay healthy”.
Sgt. Sana.
01/07/11
*Call-up, according to the conscript manual, offers “guidance to conscripts, and health check ups are made before decisions about when and where service is to take place. But “persons residing abroad are not required to appear in person – but can manage their call up by proxy” except if you are a woman. Those residing abroad can also send their papers through to “the closest Finnish mission” which will forward them to Finland.
* Service for women is voluntary. The requirements for being accepted are Finnish citizenship, a good state of health and “other personal qualities” for military training.
* Be warned, Scandinavian summer time is a call to arms for lovers who are often seen passionately kissing at railway stations, shopping checkouts and aboard public transport.
* Less than three quarters of males reaching military age complete military service. Civilian service or jail for 12 months is an option, and the C-paper exemption for reasons including health, mental health and drug abuse.
Santahamina base, Helsinki.