Jens Stoltenberg says Norway is preparing to send more young people into compulsory military service, with the long-term defence plan aiming to raise annual first-service numbers from about 9,000 to around 13,600. Speaking at Akershus Fortress on 8 May, Norway’s Liberation and Veterans Day, he said young people appear motivated for service, but acknowledged concern about warnings that today’s recruits are arriving in poorer physical condition.

“But even if the quantity is secured, defence leaders have grumbled about the quality of the 18-year-olds entering as recruits. Recently, Lieutenant Colonel Bjørn Dullum told Dagbladet that those now entering first-time service are not in good shape: “Those coming in are in worse physical condition. We have far too high an injury rate among those who report for service. If you do not have the physical competence to handle education and training, then you really should not report or be called up,” Dullum told Dagbladet. The lieutenant colonel believes the recruits are in such poor physical condition that it could affect Norway’s combat capability. Stoltenberg shares the concern: “Yes, it worries me,” Stoltenberg says. “I do not want to comment on why recruits’ fitness is declining. But it is important that we have people in good shape. Both for reasons of public health, as my older sister has told me, but also for reasons of national security,” Stoltenberg says”

Read the entire piece in Dagbladet.