Nato allies learn Finnish field canteen culture in Kuhmo exercise

For the first time, Nato allied forces are training in Finland without Finnish troops present, as the Rock Sisu exercise gets under way in Kuhmo, Yle reports.

The first phase involves about 500 soldiers from the United States and Britain. Later in May, the exercise in Kainuu will expand to some 4,500 troops from Finland, France, Poland, Hungary and Italy.

At the Vuosanka training area, the Finnish military canteen known as the sotilaskoti has become a popular spot for allied soldiers. Heli Itkonen, the exercise’s canteen operations manager, said the most requested items are paninis, donuts, cold drinks, coffee and tea. British soldiers in particular drink more tea than others, she added.

“The donuts are popular. They buy several at a time, and the most hurried eat them right after the checkout,” Itkonen said.

Allied soldiers said they have no equivalent canteen system in their own field exercises. “The staff here are really friendly, they speak perfect English and help us. It’s like a local café where you can relax and spend time,” said U.S. soldier Austin Berner.

Berner praised the Finnish donuts, calling them “much bigger and fresher” than American doughnuts. British soldier Ross Callahan said he buys supplies for training from the canteen and particularly likes the glazed donuts.

Finnish self-service culture initially caused some confusion, as soldiers help themselves to coffee and pastries before paying. Allied troops, in turn, introduced small talk. “They definitely ask ‘how are you madam today’ — they are more talkative,” Itkonen said, adding that language barriers have not been an issue.

The canteen serves as a break from tent life, with soldiers also playing board games or watching sports in the evenings. A new container-based canteen has been set up to handle the unusually large May exercises.