Sure. Finland doesn’t have a “professional” military. There are only about 6 million citizens in the whole country so it wouldn’t make much sense to have a lot of guys work for the military, especially since there are no real threats at the moment. 

Instead, every male citizen has to go through some basic training for 6 to 12 months (depending on how interested and enthusiastic you are…) after you turn 18. It’s mandatory for everyone who is physically and mentally fit for it. The point is: if there would ever be a natural disaster, war or something else, most of the men in the country can be used efficiently instead of having a small group of professional soldiers to help. Everyone gets the same basic training for 2 months, and specializes in something else after that. As a result, every grown up in the country knows how to use an assault rifle, hand grenade, RPG and move in simple combat forms and know most of the “battle commands” that would be used in a real situation. It’s pretty interesting how the country would work if a war should ever start: the military has the right to use peoples’ private stuff if it’s necessary for the country. So we don’t have a huge military budget. Instead it pretty much works like this: Let’s say your dad owns a SUV. If there’s a war, the military will borrow the SUV, paint it green and use it :D 

In short: Every citizen has his own part in defending the country.

I think it’s a pretty good system, since you don’t have to do the training if you really don’t want to/ if you have a good reason not to. The bad thing is that it puts your normal life on hold for a year: studies and work have to wait. Another good thing is that you’re free to choose what you specialize in (if you’re good enough). I’m taking the easy way out: I’ll serve as a military musician starting in march. We’ll have an orchestra, a marching band and some smaller ensembles. I’ll also get a free trip to Switzerland since there’s a military tattoo (music festival) over there this Summer. It’s going to be fun. :)

EDIT: whoah, hope it’s not too long to read.

Today, I’m starting my military training. I will still be able to tumblr on some evenings, and at least on weekends, so don’t go anywhere!