The meaning of Sisu | 🇫🇮 Finnish conscripts of the Jaeger Brigade
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Sisu is a special word in Finnish culture. While its exact definition can vary, for most it means determination and composure in the face of adversity.
For the conscripts of the Finnish Army’s Jaeger Brigade, stationed in the vast forests of Finnish Lapland, sisu is crucial. Without it, they’d find it hard to endure the freezing temperatures and austere landscapes of the Nordic Arctic. We take a look at this uniquely demanding job and the spirit of sisu of our Finnish Ally.
Finland relies on a conscription-based military system, requiring all men aged 18 to 60 to complete military service, while women have the option to volunteer. Each year, around 21,000 conscripts complete their military training in Finland. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this number has increased - the rise largely driven by female volunteers - and Finland made the historic decision to abandon military neutrality and subsequently joined NATO in April 2023.
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#NATO #Finland #sisu
What an incredible video. As someone who trains conscripts in the Finnish Defence Forces, I can say from firsthand experience that I am proud to work with some of the most resilient, determined, and persevering young individuals. Seeing their attitude towards training to fight for our independence if needs be, fills me with hope for the future generation. 🇫🇮
Thank you so much for your insights! It’s inspiring to hear from someone directly involved in training these remarkable individuals. Their resilience truly is a testament to the spirit of Sisu.
I'm grateful that we're on the same side. Thank you 🇵🇱🤝🇫🇮
me too from Finland
it's been noticed that you guys take the common threat seriously and it is appreciated up here in the north. Rest of the EU should wake up from their marshmallow-cinderella-sleep.
Of course, eastern border unites us all 🇵🇱🤝🇫🇮
”Meiltä voi kyllä vaatia, mutta meiltä voi olla paha tulla mitään ottamahan”
Amazing video! Thank you for highlighting the determination and resilience of our conscripts. Sisu is at the core of Finnish culture in general, and it’s great to have it recognised on an international level. And the Lapland scenery - truly impossible to grow tired of! 🤩
I live very far from Finland, I am in the Western USA and when I saw that Finland was joining Nato I was very pleased. We can learn a lot from our Finnish friends and for me SISU is the first lesson. Reading about their fight against the Soviet Union shows just who these friends are, they are tough.
🫡👊
Thanks bro for your kind words I appreciate it 🇫🇮
I'm a Finn and I would classify Sisu as perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity and just carrying out your job even though the odds are against you. We Finns have always been like that. My grandfather who was a WW2 vet always told us that he used to grumble a lot during the war, but if he was asked to do something by a superior officer, he would always do his best to fulfill the task that was given. We Finns have always grumbled towards upper class folks and superiors in the military but if they give us positive feedback, the change in attitude is pretty much instantaneous.
You can observe what Ukrainians are doing every day, fighting true evil, three times bigger than them. Must be lot of sisu over there.
Sisu is the word imo for perseverance and tenacity, but we Finns make it into something bigger and more mysterious, or this is how we give the image of Sisu.
Greetings from Lithuania. Finland is such an inspiration. It's good to be allies with such exceptional nation. Especially in times like now.
We agree!
@@NATObless nato welcome Finland 🇫🇮 never been more proud to have Finland 🇫🇮 ancestry.
Thank you Finland. As a swede, you make me sleep well at night.
Hello from Ukraine! Finland, you are such a cool nation! Sending many hugs🙂
Love and strength back.
We understand what you're defending.
Hugs back! 🤗
Slava Ukraini!
Stay strong! You will prevail if you will.
Thanks🇫🇮
Blessing to you..
Slava ukraini!🇺🇦
finnish american dual citizen in finland did my service in Pori 01/01, live on an island in south finland, the winter is a struggle everyday, no ferry or bridge here, been through the ice 6 times in 6 years
ei ikinä enää yksin... never again alone
thank you for your service!
Thank you Finnish brothers and sisters! Proud to be your neighbor 🇸🇪❤🇫🇮❤🇺🇦
Thanks to Finland, just for being there. Brave nation
Very proud of Finland. Big respect from PL
Finnish brothers and sisters. You role model for us in Sweden how it is done. Now allies FINALLY, you inspire. You help us remember who we are. We will respond to match you. Because we will not let you best us! ❤ Love you, always.
I am a Veteran USA Marine and I can not imagine a person going in as a conscript at the age of 60 and completing basic like I see in the video.. amazing. and soo cool.. remember that Finland relies on a conscription-based military system, requiring all men aged 18 to 60 to complete military service.. they are amazing people.
The actual conscription training (6-12months) happens at the ages 18-28, so If you are 27 and have not completed it yet, you pretty much have to go then, but most people go right when they turn 19. After that you stay in reserves up until 60, and sometimes you are called back to train 1-2 weeks at a time in reservist refresher training.
That was a bit misleading. You need to go through and complete the basic service before your thirties. Then you may have a reserve assignment until 60 (that might be raised to 65). But those assignments change , and by 60 you have a desk job or some other tail end responsibility. The conscription includes active service (6-12 moths) and reserve time, and during reserve time usually some refresher exercises, depending your task.
Hi a Finnish guy here. Yeah the Finnish system is quite efficient and comprehensive.
All men who turn 18 take part in a call-up that same year. A conscript may ask for deferral, for a justified reasons. The basic training (6-12months) is for the 18-30y old guys, after that you stay in reserve until 50/60y of age and will be called for refresh training periods. The other alternatives are unarmed military service or non-military (civil) service. If a conscript is not deemed fit for service, he-s exempted from peacetime service. Just checked that in 2023, around 75 percent were drafted into military service.
The national service of males, and the voluntary service for females has to be done between ages of 18 and 30. After having an assigned role in a combat unit for 10 years or so, reservists are moved to other than combat tasks, which are less physically demanding and require less frequent training. And, at some point, older reservists are kicked out of the 280 000 person primary reserve. But reserve officers and nco's remain in the "deep reserve" until age of 60.
We Finns take special pride of our young taking responsibility in their lives and doing their conscript service in order to become defenders of our people, country and independence. For us Finns, sisu is a strong, unyielding mindset that makes us go and push further even when facing adversities and hopeless situations.
What many nations don't seem to understand is that having a good conscription system also works as a glue for society. Its not only about military capability, its about having something in common with your fellow citizens. Knowing that even with political differences, at the end of the day we all would fight on the same side. Any struggling democracy should implement some form of conscripcy.
Exactly, all men have been there, withstanding cold, hunger, thirst, sleep deprivation, extreme fatigue.. no matter what your background is, when we are there we are one - we are Finland.
Olet Oikeassa. :)
Yeah as a Finn, having gone through that conscription system, it is one of the easiest and best icebreakers to form new relationships and friendships with other people who have served. Share some stories around beers and you are now newly made best friends.
I grew up in the northwoods of MN and had some friends who's parents spoke Finnish at home. They taught us about Sisu and saunas!
They must be descendants or loggers and miners. They're hardier still than the average Finn in Finland. I've got cousins in Duluth, who're crazy strong -- I learned early on that you don't wrestle with anyone from that branch of the family, although we've got an Olympic wrestler in ours.
And couble beers
You mean Finnesota? ;D More finnish immigrants than anywhere in US.
I'm an American and live in South Carolina USA.Years ago I suggested to my father's doctor that hospitals might consider having saunas as part of pulmonary patients' therapy. Now I am not a doctor so what do I know about medical treatments, right? Very little. But my suggestion about hospital saunas came unbidden, just from a sense that saunas might be beneficial for those suffering from pulmonary ailments.
We are lucky to call them allies.
Suomalaisen Sisun voisi tiivistää kolmeen sanaan: periksi ei anneta! 💪🇫🇮
Ja ton voi tiivistää kahteen sanaan ”Porin Ässät”
'Antaa palaa perkele.'
...ja kaveria ei jätetä
Juu-u, oltiin sodissa peräänantamattomia. Siksi ruåtsalaiset vapaaehtoiset eivät viihtyneet rintamalla.
Ja mielummin perkele eteen tai taakse lausetta!
There's very good reason why the Finn's are regarded as some of THE most content people on the planet. Pretty much EVERYTHING they do just works, from their entire society to this, their military. Whatever they turn their hand to they make work seamlessly. I lived and worked with them a great deal over the years and they've never failed to amaze me in all sorts of ways.
If NATO is to learn anything new about how the Russians tick and how to defeat them on a battlefield it'll be via the Finns, they are what i'd regard to date as NATO's most valuable asset.
As a Finn, I would say Ukraine is the one who we can learn from today. They are the ones with most experience now on modern full scale warfare.
Finns have existed for over a thousand years. We have endured countless wars and only in the last century have we gained independence. We won't throw that away.
Wow - those are some heart warming words... Thank you.
Tanks to all Finlands Soldiers from Italy. We are proud of you!
Thank you 🇫🇮🤝🇮🇹
Respect, for anyone willing to step up and fight for their own and others freedom.
🇵🇹🇫🇮 From the Atlantic to the Arctic. Thank you to all men and women for your service.
I once read that "Sisu is an action-generating, positive resource that enables individuals and communities to push beyond their assumed resources. It is the second wave of mental resilience and indestructibility, and a dynamic state of will to act that enables survival in extreme situations. Sisu begins where perseverance and perseverance end."
Nope, no need for hyperbole. Sisu equals Perseverance.
America needs Sisu NOW.
I never thought of it like this, but now I know Sisu is exactly what I went through in a river in South America once, where I went way beyond my physical capabilities and came out alive. The way she described it here, it's what I went through.
@@stefanschleps8758no, it is not ”just” perseverance. You are not Finnish, are you? Sisu is measured and needed when the situation is hopeless and normal resources are exhausted. You continue nevertheless.
It is difficult to understand if you haven’t been in that situation and experienced that.
@OP I think that's a pretty good description of what SISU means as a word but one doesn't fully understand the meaning of SISU until they've experienced it themselves.
Warm wishes for our friends and allies from Suomi 🇺🇦❤️🇫🇮 Ive visited your beautiful country plenty of times. It was such a blessing and peaceful experience. Full connection with nature and surroundings
Finland 💙💛Ukraine
Finland is an amazing country. I'd gladly visit again.
Learning finnish 'cause i just love the language and Finns.
All the best from Athens, Greece!❤
Thank you, sending love to greece aswell 🇫🇮🇬🇷
Brilliant people brilliant country
You feel the happiness and resilience in every Fin god bless Finland 😊🙏🏻
Served my conscription in -93. 330 days came to reserve as a corporal, participated in 6 voluntary reserve refresher exercises in next 18 years and finally got promoted to sergeant in 2012. Proudest day of my life.
Sisu for me is when you have given all you have and you say 'perkele' and go little further.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's inspiring to hear how your journey has shaped your understanding of sisu. Your dedication and commitment are truly commendable!
Cant have better brothers and sisters 🇸🇪🤝🇫🇮
Kallis Soome, me armastame ja austame sind 🇫🇮Tervitused Eestist 🇪🇪
Täname!
🇫🇮🤝🇪🇪
Our Dear Neighbors from south 🤗
together we stay free estonian siblings
I'm Finnish and don't speak any Estonian, yet understood every word of your message. We are brothers 💪 🇫🇮🤝🇪🇪
One minor correction:
The Finnish constitution says "All citizens must participate in national defence". So, this is a much wider definition of defence than just military service. Male conscription legislation is in the conscription act, not the constitution.
I believe all countries should have a similar article in their constitution. Everyone should be prepared to contribute to common good, if their society is under threat.
I was in Charleston, SC and sat down at a bar for oyster happy hour. a truly happy time! and discovered the woman beside me was Finnish. Before I left, as I "Finn"ished my beer, I toasted to Finnish Sisu. I estimate she was in her 60s and see grabbed me by the leg and sat we right back down... "What do you know of Finnish Sisu?!" So I started listing off Finnish successes in WRC and F1. 4 shots of Finnish vodka she finally let me go to to enjoy the rest of my evening.
Welcome to NATO. So happy to have you!!!
Mad respect for Finland. I wish we had more of that warrior spirit and pride in Canada for people to do at least a little military service. I’ve done mine. 🇨🇦 🇫🇮 🇺🇦
Glad that Finland is on our side. Perkele !
Gotta love the Finns - all the love and respect from Sweden!
I am really glad that we have you in NATO! Best regards from Czech Republic 🇨🇿 ❤ 🇫🇮
Everyone and every country should respect sovereignty of other countries. Stay strong with all countries which want to protect of their own freedom. Peace at home, peace in the world. Love and respect from Türkiye to Finland.
I know our countries don't have the best track record, but I am glad we can stand under the same flag and I can call you brother. 🇬🇷❤🇹🇷
@@steliosmrlopoulos4876 Thanks for all your best wishes 🙏
Thank you Finland!!!
Sisu was described in WW2 times as the power and strength to continue, even against overwhelming odds, with a will to win. Exactly what Ukraine is showing us now!
People of Ukraine have tremendous Sisu! When Zelenskyi said he needs ammo, not a ride, that resonated with the Finnish people big time.
God bless Finland. Appreciate your service. I think Simo Hayha would be proud. We're lucky to be your allies.
Thanks Nato for these videos! Feels good to be Finnish, and now officially to be a part of a larger collective willing to defend our democratic values.
"Feels good to be Finnish"
good for ya budddy
🤣
Greetings Finland from Grecee 🇬🇷🤝🇫🇮
So young , all I cared about was car's and girl's at their age , outstanding young hero's each and every one of them
Thanks. This a normal part of citizens life here, something you usually do after secondary school. Can't say for modern guys, but we were just thinking about girls back then during service . 😉
Yes, typically we perform our military service immediately after highschool (lukio) or within about 2 years after it.
☝️🙂 🇫🇮
So it's typical that girls get to enter (and graduate) universities a couple of years earlier than the men.
Dont worry those guys definelty share those same thoughs trought training.
Source: Personal experience.
It is over just either 6,9 or 12 months depending your training/career. It is over very fast but
it leaves everlasting memories and serve as never ending discussion topic
between men over multiple generations.
There definelty were times when simply sucks doesnt even share room with real intention.
But would still do it again if choice is given.
Finland has mandatory Service and every year all ages 18-28 are summoned to hearing for enlisting so most of people do it right after finishing their high schools at the age of 18-19.
I did my part almost 30 years ago and I'm proud of seeing our youth eagerly doing their part!
Slava Ukraini & Sisu! 🇺🇦 ❤️ 🇫🇮
I am pretty damn proud of our younger generation and how they carry them self in a gracious manner but with a steady stance and ease in their eyes.
But hey, it’s easy to be cool when you know what you are doing and you are doing it right :)
Respect!
This story from winter war during battle of Kollaa sums it up well:
Commander Hägglund, who was on an inspection trip to the front line, asked company commander Juutilainen "Will Kollaa last?", to which Juutilainen replied "Yes, Mr. General." Yes, it will last, unless you tell us to run away."
Even though the Soviets had four times more troops, the Finns managed to beat them in battle.
That's a powerful story that perfectly embodies the spirit of Sisu! The courage and determination of the Finnish soldiers during such challenging times is truly inspiring.
Greetings from Lithuania. Suomi is in my heart. 🇱🇹❤🇫🇮
Much to admire about the Finnish people ✊
From Finnish Winterwar movie called Talvisota aka Winterwar "You can demand from us but it's hard to come and take from us" sums up pretty much Finland.. whole Country is designed to withstand cruelties of war, every man who's able and in medical condition to be in military service has somekind of weapons training and combat training from the military and law says that in wartime everyone must contribute to war effort basicly. I'm a Finn who has diabetes, so i have exemption from Military service but in case of war im basicly drafted into and cos of my training and work atm i probably would end up in a repairshop of somesort for tanks and vehicles
Finns are bad ass 🇫🇮, SISU !, ❤ and respect from a Swedish American
bro I am from Lithuania and I always saw Finns as our bros anyway. glad they joined NATO and we are officially in the team. sucha a cool nation
Love the Nordics! Go Finns!
Great to call you NATO allies finally. Love from your neighbor Norway ❤
Amazing work Finland. Had the pleasure of going to university with a couple Fins and other Nordic nationals. Learned a lot about their love to defend what’s theirs; and their conscription service. Canada needs to adopt a similar system, we need that feeling again within our own country.
Love the Finnish people and culture from USA ❤❤
Great memories from my Finnish homologous. The hardest were the jaeger ones in RECO infantry. I’m glad and happy what we are side by side now
Old school recon/guerrilla (Sissi) troops might not have been counted as SF but that was the place to be if you didn’t qualify to join the paratroopers (for whatever reason). That training really pushed you to the limits and then some, making you become familiar with what you thought you could do both physically and mentally, and then finding out what you could actually do, because of sisu. It is perseverance, tenacity, grit, and determination, usually accompanied by a few silent or more loud ”Perkele!” uttered along the way. And yes, the professionals do it quietly… ;)
Really heartwarming to see that the spirit and willingness to defend democracy and Finland is alive in the younger generations.
Finns got big balls. That is a historical fact... Sorry, i mean SISU. Love Finland. 🇸🇯♥️🇫🇮
Sisu from Ukraine.🇺🇦 ❤
🇫🇮 🤝 🇺🇦
Ukraine is the definition of sisu! 🫡💙💛
My father, me and my son have all been in the army and we are just ordinary Finnish people. All trained in a variety of weapons.
When word "Perkele" no longer works, then SISU kick in.
Brave Finns!!! 🇵🇱 ❤🇫🇮
Other european countries can learn alot from Finland. Great country and army. 🇳🇱❤🇫🇮
Us Swedes are way to familiar with the word Sisu trough the years of Tough but friendly sports competition!
Many of my friends in Sweden who have finnish ancestry do have a special will to them. Its both Anger, Power and a I can do it all mentality.
Stubborn forrest people!
We both hate and love them for it.
Great People Period !! Always prepared and have been for decades, very impressed how the young people embrace Finnish security.
For me as a Finn, sisu means an attitude where you don't give up even when pain, cold, loneliness and hunger seem to take all the meaning out of life. That's when you grit your teeth and decide not to give up. You motivate yourself so that there is only one chance. Keep trying, you must never give up. You go through the gray stone and climb the tree with your butt first.
How do you climb a tree with your butt ?
@@romanz9342 it’s metafora, meaning you do it even if it costs you your life
Resilience is a good translation for sisu imho. I believe many people outside Finland know what it means. Before Nato membership we knew we cannot beat Russia by ourselves. But we had the mental state that we will continue the fight as long as we breath. Russia could have taken our land with great losses, but after that it would have been very costly for them to occupy it. Our military leader Mannerheim said: "Fortifications, artillery, and foreign aid will be of no value unless the ordinary soldier knows that he is defending his country." We still need that spirit, all of us, not just soldiers but the whole society. We love our country and we love justice and honesty. Now we stand together allied. I pray that Ukraine joins us soon.
Lapua. Vihtavuori. Two words. God Bless NATO. Stronger together.
From an Australian guy with a Finnish girlfriend, thank you soldiers.
Australia should work to make conscription mandatory again, we would all be better off!
SISU from Ukraine 🇺🇦 ❤ 🇫🇮
Hello bro🇫🇮🤝🇺🇦🫶
God bless from USA❤❤❤
Beautiful! - I'm happy and feel safe with the Jaeger Brigade as my neighbour, just a bit over a km from my house, and soldiers from all NATO countries increasingly visible in the streets of our village. - Yes, Lapland is the best place in the world, no questions asked! - Small correction: while we have four days when the Sun doesn't rise, in summer the Sun won't set for six weeks! - Huge thank you to all of you who serve(d) in the armed forces! 👍🫡
Saw the motion picture "Sisu." That movie helped me grasp the meaning. Kudos to the Finns for their unwavering grit and determination.
Sisu is hitting the wall at mile 14 of a marathon and realizing something went wrong, your plan failed and now every step is agony. It’s not the third-last mile, when you begin to see light at the end of tunnel, or the last mile, when you're making that final push before its over. Sisu is that 14th mile, when you keep going not because you know you can, but because you refuse to quit.
Yes 💪🫡🇫🇮
"I will not abandon the unit to which I belong, nor my position within it, under any circumstances. As long as I have strength, I will carry out the tasks entrusted to me to completion."
This part of Finnish military oath tells a finnish soldier to find sisu in all situations, as long as we have strength to live.
Finland knows, "henki sun hengestäsi!"
Be safe, brave defenders. Know that you can count on us civilians just as we know we can count on you, and on our soldiers. We've had the Nordic Defense cooperation for many years, but I'm so glad also to have Finland, and Sweden, in NATO now. Warmest greetings from Denmark.
Tukan kun suomalaiset mies hymylle. Hän sanoa ”that’s how we get the peace in this country”. se on jotain, jota et näe joka päivä. 🇫🇮🇧🇪💪🏻
I'm glad Finland is in NATO.
We are too 🇫🇮
Hello from Romania.
Welcome brave Finland 🇫🇮 to NATO 🎉
These people will not stop. Invaded by the overwhelming Russian Army. These are a style of people that like the cold and are trained to defend their Homeland.
Russia/CCCP never invaded Finland 😃 They just tried and then died.
@@Temuttaja22 Why do my fellow Finns not understand what the word invasion means? The moment they crossed out borders, they had invaded.
@@Temuttaja22 Yeah but you lost Karelia and Salla, your rightful land.
@@Temuttaja22 Invade... if a random person enters your personal space they have INVADED your privacy
@@jm-holm I suppose he meant occupated which would be true.
PARABÉNS FINLÂNDIA🇫🇮 ❤! EUROPA É MUITO FORTE E SOBERANA! MOSTRE MAIS A FAVOR DA UCRÂNIA 🇺🇦❤️!
There is also a SISU vehicle. I served in Bosnia, Eagle Base Tuzla, 2002-2003, SFOR12 in a US medical task force. We had a small Danish medical contingent attached to our US medical task force. The Danes used a SISU ambulance. It was an interesting vehicle. One time I went on a mission with the Danes and we used the SISU for our transportation.
Sisu is finnish car manufacturer thats speciality is trucks for civilian use and they also build military trucks meant to be able to move in off-road and transport from 4x4 to 10x10 for variety of different military equipment and purposes. Most finnish military transport vehicles are Sisu.
Cool, so how did you like it? Or the danes? The ambulance probably was a Sisu Xa-180 version of the APC, field proven in UN missions mainly before that
[conscript groans]
Been there, done that 😂
Sisu my finish friends ❤️☕ from Canada Quebec
One of my favorite countries Finland 🇫🇮
Awesome !
You're doing a great job ❤💪 Good luck✊
Nice Video! Greetings from an Ex Mountain Hunter from Germany
Thanks for watching
Respect Finland
🫡💪
Thanks
I love the Finns, they are an awesome people ❤🇫🇮
In its most extreme form, sisu could be construed as 'that intuitive last-ditch effort to stay alive'. Saved my hind more than once.
Love from Kanata 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🙏🏒🏒
As the veterans said, "you don't give up even if your life is lost"
Respect from Russia…love everything about this country except for the weather…LOL, great addition for NATO btw
You decided to interview the rare females to complete military service here in Finland but today when all is about being equal, the service should be mandatory to both sexes.
As a Finn i salute every woman that completes the service. For us Finnish men it's self-evident. Aamuja!
NATO partners can learn a thing or two from Finland! Sisu!
Jaeger brigade is a badass name. Eren would be proud.