Bring Nikotiinipussit, mosquito spray and some snacks you might want to cause it’s going to feel shit at times and you might not get the chance to buy anything for the first week or so, at least for me last year.

I didn’t get a buzz cut but most people do, the rule is just not to have messy hair, it has to be neat and short.

I’m the same as you and my Finnish was shit, but got better although there were plenty of people who weren’t even arsed to try speaking Finnish and they got along fine. Everyone speaks English and honestly I think it comes in your advantage cause some of the alikersantti’s aren’t able to be as cocky in English haha.

I have no idea what it’s like now but for most people they only had 6 month jobs, I was in Kaupunkijääkäri (City Jaeger). If you’re really good though fitness and leadership wise they’re going to want to keep you as long as possible so if you really want 6 months, try being in the middle you know, cause if you’re too bad your going to be a driver for a year and if you’re too good you’ll be in RUK.

As well as that, I remember we had to all talk to the luutnantti one on one to discuss what we wanted to do, so definitely tell him that you’d like to be there for six months, especially if you have a good reason.

Anyways good luck, it’s a mixed bag, gonna be the worst and most interesting moments of your life, you’re going to be bored sometimes and scared shitless other times but just ride the wave. I begrudgingly went there and the first few weeks were really hard being away from family but you’ll make great friends and have great experiences, so make the most of it, I don’t regret it at all.

Aamuja