Some conscripts at Finland’s Parola Armoured Brigade say food services have repeatedly failed to provide the promised meals to units arriving later in the dining schedule. One conscript told Iltalehti that his company is last to eat every day and that the main course runs out at least weekly, sometimes several times a week, forcing soldiers to wait for lower quality substitute meals during already limited meal breaks.

“The conscript who brought the issue to Iltalehti’s attention says he belongs to a company that gets to eat last every day. Often, the food that conscripts have been promised has already run out by then. According to the conscript, the company that eats second to last has similar problems. “I honestly claim this happens at least every week, and sometimes several times a week,” he says. According to the conscript, the food most recently ran out on Wednesday. Oven sausages were supposed to be served. However, there were none left when the last company entered the dining hall. Instead, the company was “thrown together some hot dogs,” the conscript says. According to him, the quality of these so-called substitute meals after the main course runs out is often questionable.”

“The young man says the problems began as soon as he entered service in January. He has tried to give feedback on the issue, but nothing has happened. He feels the situation is unfair. “Food is, in my opinion, one of the most essential parts. When food service does not work, everything else falls apart too. This really affects morale.” According to Leijona Catering’s email response to Iltalehti, during March and April the main course ran out during individual meals in Parola on average about once a week.”

Read the entire piece in Iltalehti.