The Norwegian Armed Forces has shortened the compulsory course for guard and security soldiers from five weeks to three (a 40 percent reduction). Around 1,800 conscripts enter these positions annually, making this one of the country’s largest categories of compulsory military service.

At Bardufoss, approximately 120 conscripts are completing the compressed course, which covers weapons training, searches, baton use and the legal rules governing soldiers’ use of force. The programme has also been moved from a central training facility at Værnes to local units, allowing commanders to assess and supervise their soldiers earlier.

Colonel Cathrine Thorshaug-Wang, commander of the 131 Air Wing, warns that pressure during recruit training combined with the shortened course leaves soldiers with a lower initial level and creates a “competence gap” that operational units must subsequently close. Course leaders insist that standards have not been lowered and that similar—or even higher—numbers of conscripts are passing the required tests. Nevertheless, instructors acknowledge that a longer course would produce more technically capable and confident guards.

“She explains that the soldier base consists of incredibly skilled soldiers, but that the combination of time pressure at the recruit school and shorter basic courses means that the soldiers have a poorer starting point. A competence gap that must be closed in the department.”

Another case of conscription cutting corners?

Read the entire piece in Forsvarets forum.