Paratroopers

Every paratrooper is trained to complete reconnaissance and combat missions which are both mentally and physically demanding.

Organised at the Utti Jaeger Regiment in Kouvola, the training involves versatile training in weapons, marksmanship, combat and parachuting as well as coordinated action with army aviation helicopters.

Service location: Utti Jaeger Regiment

Service duration: 347days

Contingent: July

Training

Every paratrooper is trained at least as an NCO, and about 20% undertake training to become reserve officers on the specific reserve officer course arranged for this purpose at the Utti Jaeger Regiment. The training comprises four phases: the basic training period and special training period, NCO course 1, NCO course 2, or reserve officer course and troop training phase.

Apart from the basic soldier’s military and parachute training, every paratrooper trains to operate in cooperation with helicopters, accounting for watery terrain and sustaining versatility in weapons handling and marksmanship skills. Training in reconnaissance and combat skills include operating in terrain as well as in built-up areas in demanding conditions in all seasons. As part of the NCO and reserve officer training, every paratrooper practices leading and training as well as specializes, for instance, in signals, combat engineering, or medical tasks.

Requirements for entry

The set entry requirements for becoming qualified as a paratrooper:

good state of health, fitness for service class A
vision 1.0 without glasses (no glasses/contact lenses)
flawless colour vision
normal fields of vision and hearing
good physical condition
result of a 12-minute running test of at least 3000 meters
- must be completed in the year of application
- the result of the running test can lead to rejection when making preliminary selections
the ability to swim at least 200 metres
fair skiing skills

Eliminating factors include sustaining difficult skin conditions, allergies requiring medical attention, other prolonged, severe diseases requiring regular medication, unkempt teeth or dentures, recently broken limbs or difficult joint injuries, criminal register or acts that have led to punishment (theft, embezzlement, assault, and equivalent).

The contents of the physical tests and instructions for passing can be found on the Finnish page only at the moment.

Applying

Applying for the conscript service on the annual paratrooper course takes place on a voluntary basis by 30 November.

Apply to become a paratrooper through the Finnish Defense Forces' electronic transaction by filling out an application at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi. The electronic application is sufficient as it is, i.e. it is not necessary to send attachments. Applications received after the end of the application period will not be considered.

A paper application is sent only in the event that electronic application is not possible. A form must be attached to the paper application: Application for special operations forces. Paper applications must be received by November 30 at the latest (note the time it takes for the mail to travel). Applications received late will not be processed.

Only some of the applicants are invited to the selection exams. Based on the applications, those persons who do not meet the admission requirements are eliminated.

The two-day entrance exam is scheduled for each January and consists of physical and psychological aptitude tests and interviews complemented by a medical examination. On the basis of the entrance exam, from 60 to 80 best qualifying persons are selected for the training. The qualification results are published in March.

Apply to become a paratrooper online. Fill in your application at https://asiointi.puolustusvoimat.fi

Take this into account when applying!

According to the guidance that came into effect in the Defense Forces at the end of November 2022, applicants who have already started their conscript service in another unit can no longer be accepted into the application process for special forces training.

Be careful also in a situation where you have already received an order to start service in call-ups or at a women's selection event. Applying for the special forces is not a reason not to comply with the order to start service received in the call-up. Unless you have received an approved decision from the regional office to postpone the start date of the service, the order on the start of the service must be followed.

The new procedure avoids a situation where conscripts' service time exceeds 347 days.

Notifications related to the application

The Utti Jaeger Regiment will deliver the following notifications electronically to the email address you provided

by the end of the application year
- announcement for those accepted to the entrance exams
- announcement for those who are not invited to the entrance exams
during February
- notice to those accepted for training
- notice to those who are not accepted for training.

If you do not receive notifications in your email, contact the selection secretary. Also check your email's spam folder in case the messages are redirected there.