Politics March 24, 2017
When you think about Norway, you probably imagine blond hair, gorgeous scenery and lots of fishing. However, Norway is also set apart from other countries by its military policies – particularly, its stance on mandatory military service.
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Here’s what you should know about Norway’s military policies, women’s role in the Norwegian military and more!
Let’s start with Norway’s military service requirements for its citizens. Previously, only men aged 19 to 44 were required to serve at least 19 months in the armed forces. However, Norwegian woman have been volunteer for military service for over 40 years, and women first served as helicopter pilots, jet fighter pilot and submarine commanders in the early 1990s.
In 2013, though, Norway’s parliament nearly unanimously passed a law requiring women to serve in the military as well, becoming the first NATO country to do so. It’s important to mention that the Norwegian Armed Forces only needs 10,000 new recruits each year out of the 60,000 men and women who are brought in and medically screened for service. This means only the most skilled and dedicated men and women will actually be asked to serve.
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As of 2016, the gender ratio of Norway’s military is not yet 50/50. However, in the summer of 2016, almost one third of Noway’s army conscripts born in 1997 were women.
So what happens if you’re one of the 10,000 young men and women who actually serve?
First off, in Norway’s military, men and women serve side-by-side…literally. They train together, exercise together and even share the same housing. Researchers claim that the more time male and female soldiers spend together, the better. As one researcher explains: “Exposure to each other increases tolerance, acceptance and understanding toward each other.” One 2014 study also found that unisex dorms cause “de-genderisation,” which decreases sexual harassment. Basically, men and women got used to each other and developed relationships similar to siblings.
Unlike other countries, Norway’s military has also allowed women to fight in combat positions for over 30 years. Norway even created an (experimental) special forces unit – known as “Hunter Troop” – made up entirely of women. Training is brutal, taking one year as candidates complete courses like Arctic survival, counterterrorism and airborne operations. Out of the 317 applicants in 2014, only 13 finished all of the classes. Although the unit is not yet in full rotation, it’s an intriguing peek at what could be yet to come for women in Norway’s military.
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There are challenges to being a female solder in Norway, though. Although a survey revealed the majority of Norwegian female soldiers preferred unisex dorms, 18 percent reported experiencing inappropriate comments or behavior. Some female recruits have also “felt abused” by the Norwegian Armed Forces’ practice of (male and female) recruits bathing together.
The Norwegian Armed Forces might not be a common topic at your dinner table, but their gender-equal stance on conscription, military training and combat positions in the armed forces definitely deserve recognition.
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Regardless of the tweaks in military policy that still might be needed, Norway provides unique insight into the benefits and challenges of required military service for men and women.
