Finnish defence contractor engineer among 2,712 reservists promoted on Flag Day

A total of 2,712 Finnish reservists received promotions during the Defence Forces’ annual Flag Day ceremonies on Wednesday, including Rami Harmaala, a strategic partnership manager at defence contractor Millog, who was elevated to the rank of reserve master sergeant.

Harmaala, based in Hattula, described the promotion as “a great honour” and a recognition of his long-term contributions to national defence. “Perhaps it’s a sign that I’ve done some things right for society and defence over the years,” he told public broadcaster Yle.

A former conscript in the Armoured Brigade, Harmaala transitioned from military service to a career in engineering, earning a degree in automation technology from Häme University of Applied Sciences in the early 1990s. Though he declined permanent military roles, his professional path circled back to defence as an early employee of Millog—a state-linked company specialising in maintenance and logistics for Finland’s armed forces.

“Millog has been a pioneer in security of supply from the very beginning,” said Harmaala, who joined the firm as its fifth hire when it was established to manage Defence Forces materiel. He now oversees strategic partnerships at the company’s Tampere headquarters, with operational ties to its Hattula facility near the Armoured Brigade.

Harmaala attributed his leadership approach—including roles training and developing teams—to his conscript service, which he said sparked an interest in guiding others. “I’ve enjoyed being a supervisor and strived to be a good one,” he noted, acknowledging that setbacks occur but emphasised that “aiming for good usually yields good results.”

Despite global instability, Harmaala expressed confidence in Finland’s preparedness. “I sleep well at night,” he said. “Maybe we Finns need that kind of mental resilience.”

Beyond his defence work, Harmaala will this summer cycle from Hämeenlinna to Paris as part of Team Rynkeby Häme, a charity ride raising funds for seriously ill children and their families. A seasoned cyclist who logged roughly 10,000 kilometres last year, he dismissed concerns about July’s potential heatwave. “The headwind will keep us cool,” he joked, adding that proper hydration and a professional support crew would ensure the team’s safety.