Sweden's Reserve Officers Face Age Challenges for Defense Service

Sweden has over 7,000 reserve officers – but it is unclear how many of them can actually serve in the defence, reports Ekot on Sveriges Radio.

» Published: September 02 2025 at 09:43

Sweden's Reserve Officers Face Age Challenges for Defense Service
Photo: Mikael Fritzon/TT

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Many are too old, and a lot of them have not been in service for decades.

The average age is 55 years, and only every fifth is under 45 years. Very many have not been in service for 10, 20 years, says Jenny Harlin, secretary-general of the Association of Reserve Officers, to the radio.

Now the Swedish Armed Forces will map out who can be assigned to war service.

We should have looked at this earlier, states Lennart Ek at the Defence Staff, who is in charge of the work.

Reserve officers are people with civilian jobs but who are also employed by the Swedish Armed Forces and can be called in for exercise or sharp mission when needed.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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