# which countries have a military national service? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2003, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-have-a-military-national-service/216572 "2003-12-02T21:22:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mellon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@Mellon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mellon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-have-a-military-national-service/216572/21 "2003-12-03T21:32:42Z")
Finland has mandatory service for all males which has to be completed before the 28th birthday, but it’s usually done at the age of 18 or 19. More than 80% actually do armed service. The others get a free pass due to a medical condition or are conscientious objectors. The conscientious objectors have to take a short course and do about a year of work for something like a hospital, library or school. Those that refuse this go to jail. A few years ago it was changed so that most ordinary soldiers serve for 6 months. Some with special duties (drivers, medics, MPs, etc) do 9 or 12 months. Those who get leadership training are also in service for 12 months. There are also refreshers after the actual service. They should be about 5 years apart but it’s quite easy to weasel out of them, some are even voluntary. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-have-a-military-national-service/216572/22 "2003-12-03T21:38:08Z")
Estonia still has conscription [http://www.mil.ee/index\_eng.php](http://www.mil.ee/index_eng.php) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-have-a-military-national-service/216572.md?page=1)