Finland’s young professional soldiers reconsider careers amid unsustainable workloads

Two soldiers in their late twenties—one an enlisted non-commissioned officer, the other a commissioned officer—have spoken to Yle about the mounting pressures of military service, admitting they have considered leaving Finland’s Defence Forces as workloads reach breaking point.

The soldiers, identified only as Mikko and Niklas to protect their careers, described how prolonged stress, overlapping job duties, and the strain on personal lives have forced them to question whether a military career remains viable. Both have served for years in the army and navy, respectively, but say the demands—exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine, Finland’s NATO membership, and shifting security policies—have become unsustainable.

Mikko, an NCO, now handles three distinct roles simultaneously, while Niklas, an officer, has juggled dual responsibilities, including administrative tasks he argues should fall to civilian staff. “It’s a drain on time that should go to core duties,” Niklas said. “An officer’s job is to lead, not push paper.”

Field exercises, a staple of military life, consume 70–100 days annually for both men. Though logged as eight-hour workdays with modest compensation (around €140 per day), the soldiers say the real toll is unpaid: lost rest, missed family time, and no accrued leave for overtime. Finnish military unions have long pushed for reforms to align with labor laws, but no changes have materialized.

The strain has altered their outlook. Mikko, once passionate about training conscripts, now approaches the work with cynicism. “Things that used to feel meaningful now just feel heavy,” he admitted. A recent sick leave for burnout offered temporary relief, but the pressures resumed upon his return.

For Niklas, the conflict between duty and family has grown acute. “At its core, this job is about defending what matters—but what if defending the state costs me my marriage?” he asked. Both men, now fathers or partners, describe tensions at home as harjoitus (exercise) schedules and late-night duties mount. “You start weighing: do I serve my country or save my personal life?” Niklas said.

Their accounts reflect broader concerns raised by Finland’s military unions, which warn that without urgent improvements to working conditions—particularly for younger personnel—the Defence Forces risk losing critical talent to civilian employers. Union leaders report a rise in discussions among junior ranks about alternative careers, driven by the mismatch between workload and work-life balance.

Defence Command officials have acknowledged “challenges in certain units” but have not detailed specific remedies. The soldiers interviewed by Yle said they chose to speak publicly in hopes of forcing change, despite potential professional repercussions.