The first indents for sports conscription take place in June next year. Photo: Debora Egenvall/The Swedish Armed Forces
The first group of sports soldiers focuses on cross-country skiing. During the project’s second year, more sports such as biathlon and ski orienteering are planned. Photo: Debora Egenvall/The Swedish Armed Forces
The sports soldiers have scheduled training time where the number of hours can vary depending on the training plan, but everyone has the opportunity to focus on their sport. Photo: Debora Egenvall/The Swedish Armed Forces
The pilot project will be carried out over two years and give young athletes the opportunity to combine conscription with a venture into sports. The first indents for this form of conscription, called sports conscription, will take place in June next year.
Sports conscription means twelve months of basic training where military training is combined with sports training. The first group of sports soldiers focuses on cross-country skiing, and in the second year of the project more sports such as biathlon and ski orienteering are planned to be included.
– For the individual, it will be a year of personal development on many different levels. Nils van der Poel is an excellent example of a person who has completed military service and then continued to develop, says Mattias Otterström, battalion commander at the Dal Regiment and responsible for basic training.
The sports soldiers have scheduled training time where the number of hours can vary depending on the training plan, but everyone has the opportunity to focus on their sport. The same compensation and benefits as for regular conscription apply with daily allowance, free meals, lodging, trips home on leave and an education bonus following completion of conscription.
Recruitment is ongoing and candidates will be selected for tests at the Norwegian Public Service Agency following the summer. Applying is voluntary, but for those who pass the tests and agree to the training, the duty law applies. Conscription involves training as a group leader to be able to lead a group of eight to ten soldiers.
After completing the sports conscription, military placement takes place in a shooting battalion with the option of applying for officer training or taking up employment as a soldier. After completing officer training, it is possible to apply for a position as a continuously serving officer or reserve officer.
