Finland prepares officials for war: secret briefings, barracks, and military exercises

Finland has a national defense course for officials, academics, museum directors, and military commanders — a program that has existed for 65 years and is today “considered more relevant than ever.”

This was reported by Bloomberg.

During the exercises, participants spend 3–4 weeks attending secret briefings, visiting strategic facilities and government institutions that are normally closed to the public. Course participants sleep in barracks, eat military rations, and wear military uniforms. They also take part in military exercises, including flying on military aircraft.

Retired Finnish General Arto Räty told the agency that the conflict in Ukraine has shown “why such a course is necessary.”

“If a country is unable to protect its heating, electricity and water supply, and logistics, then the front line cannot hold. Responsibility cannot be concentrated in one sector,” he said.

Invitations to the course are sent to Finland’s most influential officials four times a year. Candidates are nominated by various organizations and their nominations are approved through a multi-stage selection process. More recently, bloggers have also begun to be invited to participate in the exercises.

Graduates of the course may not disclose details of the training, but upon joining a special association they are entitled to purchase a silver emblem confirming completion of the course. The emblem depicts a laurel wreath and two swords and has become a status symbol in Finland — participants use it to recognize one another.

Among the course’s graduates is Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who has worn the corresponding badge at patriotic events and gatherings related to national defense issues since 2020.

“It serves as a reminder of how changes in foreign and security policy challenge us, the decision-makers, every day,” Orpo said.

In May, Finland organized naval exercises in the Gulf of Finland called Narrow Waters 26-1, land exercises Karelian Sword 26 with the participation of military personnel from the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as artillery exercises Northern Strike 26. That same month, Russia’s Security Council noted that the scale of military exercises in Finland, including those conducted near the Russian border, had increased significantly since the country joined NATO.