Eyes are running and Tina Larsson tries to resist the reflex to rub them with her hand. Her protective mask has not closed tightly and the tear gas stings.
Platoon commander Patrik Persson checks, adjusts and to the applause of his comrades, she makes a new attempt. Leakage again, new adjustment and on the third attempt, the mask sits as it should.
It went over pretty quickly, but damn how it stung, she says afterwards.
She is one of 154 people who are undergoing Voluntary Military Training (FMU) in Härnösand. During five weeks, she receives a compressed basic training that makes her a rifle soldier, ready to join a home guard unit.
Just this day, among other things, CBRN-fitting control is on the schedule - to enter a chamber with tear gas to check if the protective mask is tight. The most common reason for leakage is that it is the wrong size - or too large a beard. Several have sacrificed their beards before today's exercise, others have greased with petroleum jelly.
Increase the recruitment base
The background to the training, which is now being held for the first time, is that most positions in the home guard require military basic training. Since conscription was dormant for several years, there are simply not enough people with the training required
- We have noticed that if we are to be able to fill the units and maintain the volume in the long term, we need to increase the recruitment base, says Deputy National Home Guard Commander Mattias Ardin.
In metropolitan areas, the Home Guard has almost more applicants than they can accept, in other parts of Sweden it is thinner in the ranks. On the course, they have chosen to prioritize applicants from northern Sweden, one of the places where the Home Guard has had difficulty filling the units.
- We have tried to have a local connection and then fill in with people from other parts of the country.
Of the 154 who are now undergoing training, 51 come from Västernorrland.
Make an effort
The inspiration comes from the British-led Operation Interflex, where, among other things, instructors from the Home Guard have been involved in training Ukrainian soldiers.
Tina Larsson stumbled upon the training through a job fair at the university, Gustav Wallton via school and Alfred Hellgren contacted the Home Guard. A week into the training, they do not regret that they are spending five summer weeks on long days that are both physically and mentally demanding.
Given the state of the world right now, you want to make an effort, says Alfred Hellgren.
Everyone highlights the camaraderie. After just one week, the platoon has become strongly cohesive.
We push and support. For us, there is no such thing as someone failing, says Gustav Wallton.
High tempo
During the five weeks, they will learn everything from the basics - how to live in a barracks, how to walk and stand and make honors, but also how the Defense Forces are organized, international law and soldier rules. They will learn how to handle heat and cold, take care of guard posts and latrines, but also first aid and handle weapons.
It's a high tempo. We get up at quarter to six and are home again at nine in the evening, says Alfred Hellgren.
It's tough, but fun. For every thing you learn, you grow, thinks Tina Larsson.
The first training round will be evaluated before a decision is made on how to proceed. But Mattias Ardin does not rule out that there will be a continuation.
- We are planning to conduct such training sessions around the country from next year. Where and when these will be conducted depends on the availability of premises and equipment.
Facts: Voluntary Military Training
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Voluntary Military Training (FMU) is a compressed military basic training. It aims to give volunteers the opportunity to learn military basics, such as field and combat service, first aid, weapon handling and the laws of war, over five weeks.
Those who apply must be Swedish citizens and over 18 years old. Before admission, they also undergo a security screening.
The training involves many physical elements, such as march training, weapon exercises and field days. Therefore, it is also important to be fully healthy and maintain good physical status.
158 people have been accepted for the training, of which 20 are women and 138 are men. Four of them have, for various reasons, dropped out or discontinued the training. The youngest participant is 18 years old and the oldest is 48. The average age is 28 years.
Source: The Defense Forces
