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stillers4me
11-11-2013, 04:32 PM
There hasn’t been a war on Finnish soil since 1945 when occupying German forces were expelled from Finland’s Lapland province in a skirmish semi-related to World War II.
In the 68 years since, Finland has enjoyed a mostly peaceful existence with relatively little in the way of involvement in any military conflict. Despite that, every able-bodied male in Finland is obligated to serve one of three branches of that country’s military, the Maavoimat (army), Merivoimat (navy) or Ilmavoimat (air force).
Professional athletes such as Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (right) are not exempt from serving.

“I’ve got to arrange some time for it for sure,” said Maatta. “It’s something I have to do. I’m not the first [athlete] who has done it.”..........

.......Maatta, who has friends who were part of NATO’s security forces in Afghanistan, sees the benefits of serving.

“It’s something that everybody has to do. I don’t think it’s like here [in the United States] because we don’t really get paid for it. I think of it as growing towards an adult. It teaches you a little bit about life. That’s how I feel it is important.”


Read more @ http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/2013-06-20-18-51-15/empty-netters/39725-maatta-must-fullfill-military-obligation-to-finland-11-11-13?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Salute! :drink:

Craic
11-11-2013, 09:54 PM
There was a time when the average American young adult had the same attitude towards our military. A shame it's so "out of style" now.

fansince'76
11-11-2013, 10:36 PM
There was a time when the average American young adult had the same attitude towards our military. A shame it's so "out of style" now.

Right. Just try getting American young adults nowadays who are constantly espousing the "virtues" of markedly socialist countries such as Finland (the OWS bunch comes to mind immediately) to accept compulsory military service in this country. Good luck with that...

Craic
11-12-2013, 12:04 AM
Right. Just try getting American young adults nowadays who are constantly espousing the "virtues" of markedly socialist countries such as Finland (the OWS bunch comes to mind immediately) to accept compulsory military service in this country. Good luck with that...

Frankly, I think compulsory military service is a good thing. Three to five years of "This is called respect, son." "This is your flag, son, RESPECT it." would do the country good.

Spike
11-12-2013, 04:42 AM
“I’m pretty sure I can figure out something,” Maatta said. “I could do it in like two summers. That might be possible. I’ll see how it goes. They’re really good at [making arrangements]. If you play abroad, it’s not like you have to stay there for six months and miss the season.”


whew that's good

so he won't miss any playing time?

just don't catch the clap from any of those Finnish soldier girls. put a helmet on that soldier