A Marathon of Woe: Gunde Tumelionis and the Norwegian Armed Forces
So here’s the thing. Gunde Tumelionis, at the ripe old age of 19, wants to join the military in Norway. And let’s face it, how cool is that? “Mum, I fancy a life of discipline, drills, and dodging bullets!” But instead, she’s been tossed around in the bureaucratic washing machine of the Norwegian Armed Forces – and it seems she’s just come out damp and confused, like a wet sock on laundry day.
From Aspirations to Exemptions
- Our girl Gunde eagerly awaits her call-up for initial military service. Alas, the Armed Forces pull the rug from under her feet.
- Born in Norway, she faces a bureaucratic existential crisis because her parents are from Lithuania. Oh, the irony!
- The Norwegian Defense Forces regret the delays, which is their polite way of saying, “Oops, our bad!”
- With her military dreams dashed, she now stares at an empty bank account in the new year.
Gunde didn’t just sit on the couch binge-watching Netflix while waiting for her military service. No, no! She ran a marathon in 4 hours and 4 minutes! Can you believe it? And she thought prepping for the military was tough? Ha! Try marathon running while kicking your own butt every morning and pulling sleds through the Arctic tundra!
Feeling Like a Sled Dog: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Imagine the moment Gunde found out her summons had been cancelled. “I started to sob,” she said. Can we agree that her sobbing could fill a lake? It’s like preparing for a massive event and then getting canned because the universe ran out of security clearance stamps. What is this, a secret agent movie? “Sorry ma’am, you can’t join the military. Your parents are from Lithuania. Please go home and try knitting.”
The fact that she was doing everything right – hiking, training in military boots, and even ice baths (which look more like medieval torture to me), only to be shut down by a sea of red tape! It’s like being told you’re too good for the track team and instead handed a clipboard to manage stats. Oh, the betrayal!
Unpacking the Bureaucratic Baggage
The Norwegian Armed Forces seem to have decided that Gunde is a “related person” because her family has connections to another country. Related person? She just wants to shoot rifles, not get tangled up in the complexities of international espionage! For the military, it seems if your parents are from a different country, it’s like saying, “Sorry, we need to clear you to join the army…which may take two years. So, yeah, have fun in the meantime, best of luck with the existential dread!”
Now we get to the kicker. No appeal! Apologies from the Armed Forces are as empty as my post-workout protein shake! “This is very regrettable,” says Ole-Kristian Kristensen from the Defense Security Department. No kidding? Gunde’s sitting here like, “I don’t just want your sympathy, I want my life back!”
Parents in the Firing Line
Gunde’s parents are understandably outraged. Mama Rūta is not just a proud mama – she’s a fierce defender of Norway! “We are loyal!” she says, drowning in a sea of frustration that even the best debate team couldn’t argue out of. After all, if only the dashing athletes are worthy of national service, how is Gunde, a marathon-running, freezing-hiking hero, not good enough? Is it the boots? Did she forget to lace them up with the right amount of ‘Norwegian’ magic?
Let’s Wrap This Up!
In conclusion, the situation boils down to this: poor Gunde is wallowing in disappointment while the Armed Forces conduct a bureaucratic tango. She’s been stripped of her military dream without so much as a right to argue. Meanwhile, the message from the authorities to multicultural youth out there seems to be, “Don’t give up!” But can we get some clarity here? That’s like a teacher saying you can become an astronaut but then making you repeat third grade. What’s next, Gunde? Pretend you’re a character in a video game you never chose to play?
You have to hand it to her though; her spirit hasn’t been beaten down. She’s still pushing through, lacing up those military boots! One day her moment will come. And when it does, I hope the physicists who summon her into the forefront of military service are ready. Or else Gunde might just run a marathon right through their office! Now that’s a victory lap I’d like to see!
The short version
- Nineteen-year-old Gunde Tumelionis is eager to commence her military service; however, the Armed Forces invalidated her call-up and unexpectedly provided her with an exemption, leaving her security clearance status unclear.
- Though she was born and raised in Norway, her Lithuanian heritage demands that she undergo a thorough security clearance process due to her parents’ nationality.
- The Norwegian Defense Forces has expressed regret regarding the circumstances surrounding the protracted security clearance protocols that affect candidates like Gunde.
- Following this unexpected decision, Gunde, who has already deferred her studies for two years, will also find herself without an income come the new year.
– I started to sob, recalls the 19-year-old, describing her emotional response to learning that her anticipated military service had been abruptly canceled.
Recently, on November 10, she participated in the Jessheim winter marathon, impressively setting a new personal record with a time of 04:04:33 hours, marking her sixth marathon overall, alongside her passion for ultra races.
This summer, she dedicated herself to breaking in military boots by hiking, an essential preparation for her expected service.
Over this winter season, Gunde has been intensifying her training regimen, engaging in activities such as sled pulling while skiing and undertaking regular treks of three to four miles on rugged terrain while carrying a 20-kilogram pack.
To build resilience against harsh conditions, she even incorporated ice baths into her routine—only to now feel that all her efforts have been rendered futile.
– Have chosen the easiest way out
In a letter dated November 5, which has come to VG’s attention, it was conveyed that Gunde required a security clearance from the Norwegian Armed Forces before her scheduled military service, and that she had been briefed about these requirements earlier.
“The armed forces have not reached a decision in your case, and the summons to service is therefore canceled. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes you.”
What frustrates Gunde is that the security clearance remains incomplete, leading her to feel that the Armed Forces have simply taken the path of least resistance by dismissing her case entirely.
Gunde Tumelionis shares her disappointment, expressing how deeply unsettling it feels to have one’s aspirations dashed so unexpectedly.
The 19-year-old, hailing from Eiksmarka in Bærum, recognizes the complexities that come with her multicultural background, as her parents’ Lithuanian roots necessitate a more rigorous security clearance process than that faced by their ethnically Norwegian peers.
What does “related persons” mean?
- The armed forces classify those with foreign parentage or connections as “persons with connections,” prompting distinct demands for security verifications.
- This category includes individuals with foreign nationalities, ethnic Norwegians who have pursued studies abroad, and anyone with international ties.
VG has previously reported on multicultural youth who illustrated the prolonged security clearance timelines that hinder their progress.
Called up for the dream service
Fully aware of the importance of security clearance, Gunde proactively contacted the Armed Forces at 17 years old to obtain the necessary application form ahead of the summons.
After completing the required session, she received a coveted posting with her first choice, a challenging position within the Garrison in Sør-Varanger.
She anticipated her service to commence in January 2025, expecting to soon receive her attendance date.
When she received the notification in the mail, Gunde initially assumed it included details about her start date, only to be stunned by the reality that her enlistment had been canceled entirely.
This abrupt turn of events imposed significant financial stress on the already discouraged 19-year-old.
In the spring of 2024, she graduated from Nadderud upper secondary school with a notable grade point average of 6.1.
Upon securing admission into a five-year civil engineering program in medical technology at the University of Bergen, Gunde had to apply for a deferred start until the autumn of 2026 due to her military obligations.
With military service now uncertain, Gunde finds herself in limbo, unsure if she will be allowed to begin her studies sooner or if she must reapply altogether.
This autumn, she worked part-time as a nursery assistant but faces the prospect of unemployment come the new year.
Having resigned from her job as a church minister and declined a position as a ski coach for the winter, Gunde’s uncertain future looms large.
– The initial days following the cancellation left me feeling hollow and disheartened. I have shed many tears over this loss, as the military had been a highly anticipated chapter of my life.
Defence: – Very regrettable
Ole-Kristian Kristensen, acting head of the Defense Security Department, has assured that the case will be closely reviewed.
– This is not good at all, he remarked, expressing grave concern for the impact the cancellation has had on Gunde Tumelionis.
Describing the situation as unfair and frustrating from the individual’s perspective, Kristensen acknowledged the seriousness of Gunde’s predicament.
Though limited in his ability to address specific cases, he expressed understanding of the pressures Gunde faces.
Kristensen emphasized the need for improvement in the security clearance process, acknowledging its substantial personal ramifications on candidates like Gunde.
He further addressed how this situation can tarnish the Armed Forces’ reputation, highlighting the gravity of the matter.
– Will the decision on exemption be definitive?
In principle, it is; however, we will be following up to ascertain what led to the current circumstances.
– Quite unfair
Gunde’s parents, Rūta and Vidas, share her profound disappointment and express their concern over the lack of clarity in the situation.
Rūta articulated her feelings of being trapped in an uncomfortable position, highlighting her family’s commitment and loyalty to their Norwegian home.
After sharing her daughter’s experience on social media, Rūta received a wave of supportive reactions emphasizing Gunde’s suitability to serve.
Vidas Tumelionis, who underwent mandatory service in Lithuania during its Soviet era, echoed similar sentiments, expressing the feeling of betrayal experienced by multicultural youth.
Despite her multicultural identity, Gunde has not often reflected upon her differences, asserting that she has always felt Norwegian at heart, yet acknowledging that there may be perceptions that say otherwise.
– I have always felt Norwegian. But to someone in authority, I might not seem Norwegian enough.
Security clearance in the defense is subject to strict rules and can be time-consuming to achieve.
As the security threat to Norway increases, the clearance process has slowed down according to Ole Kristian Kristensen.
– If we discover that further measures can be taken in this case, we’ll reach out, though I would rather not raise expectations prematurely. She should consider alternative plans for her future.
– What would you say to multicultural youth reading this?
– Never give up! The Armed Forces appreciate diversity among applicants and wish to encourage young people from various backgrounds to consider serving.
In 2022, the Norwegian Armed Forces admitted that lengthy processing times needed addressing.
How can sharing personal stories, like Gunde’s, promote understanding and inclusivity within the military and society at large?
Verse background, but the recent events have sparked deeper contemplation about her identity and place within society.
Looking to the Future
As uncertainties about her military service continue to loom, Gunde is determined to carve her own path. She plans to remain proactive in seeking clarity regarding her situation and to advocate for herself and others in similar positions.
Despite the emotional and financial toll of this abrupt change, she is focused on her academic pursuits and is determined to succeed in her chosen field of medical technology.
With the support of her family and community, Gunde holds onto hope that her circumstances will improve. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the challenges that multicultural individuals face in navigating bureaucracy, especially in matters of national service.
– I want to make the most of my situation, and I hope that by sharing my story, others can understand and empathize with the challenges we face, Gunde reflects.
Her journey serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and understanding within institutions, particularly the military, which has a vital role in promoting national unity and diversity.
