Promotions Tiina Laisi-Puhoinen was one of the first women to join the army in 1996 – now she is promoted to the highest possible military rank

Tiina Laisi-Telephone answers the phone from the Helsinki Fair Center, where the growth business event Slush is underway. Laisi-Puheline has a full schedule. During the day, there will be investor meetings and networking, as well as pure inspiration and enjoyment of events.

Slush is an annual rite for Laisi-Puhelinen, as the 51-year-old from Espoo is a shareholder and chairman of the board of Priceff, a growth company focused on dynamic pricing.

The background of Laisi-Telefono’s current task is well suited to illustrate the importance of networking. He started volunteer military service in 1996 in Dragsvik on Ekenäs. The first women volunteers had started military service the previous year.

“Founder of Priceff Anders Ekholm was a newcomer to the same team as me, ”says Laisi-Puhoinen.

Laisi-Telefonoisen and the co-operation of the Defense Forces did not remain in military service, as he is promoted to Major of the Reserve on Independence Day. The value of a major is the highest possible promotion for a reservist.

Laisi-Puhoinen is the first woman to be promoted to major and has not attended cadet school. In the past, female officers who have attended cadet school and are active have been promoted to major.

Last year, the reserve was promoted to major Titta Lindqvist , who completed cadet school but later moved from active service to the reserve.

Laisi-Puhoinen is grateful for the promotion but reminds that the promotion is not a prize but the promotion is part of the change in the reservist’s job description.

“When you go to rehearsals and perform well in them, you can get promoted. Finland has an army of reservists, and there are not enough professional officers for almost all the tasks in exceptional circumstances, so reservists must also have a promotion path, ”says Laisi-Puhoinen.

What fresh reserve major then doing rehearsals?

“It’s not appropriate to talk about the tasks in exceptional circumstances, but is it said that I’m still happy to go to rehearsals whenever the invitation goes. There is always time for national defense, ”says Laisi-Puhoinen.

Today was the 26th anniversary of the enabling of voluntary military service for women. The first 25 women began their service in 1995 at the Air Force Technical School in Kuorevesi and the Häme Regiment Sports School in Lahti.

The following year, the opportunity also opened for regular troop units, which recruited 200 women. Laisi-Puhoinen began his military service in early 1996 in the Uusimaa Brigade.

The woman born in Kouvola wanted to join the Swedish-speaking troops precisely because of the language.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn not only national defense but also Swedish. In hindsight, the choice was a good one, because now I dare to open my mouth in Swedish. ”

Laisi-Puhelin’s goal was to get into leadership training at either the non-commissioned officer school or the reserve officer school in Hamina, and he did get to Hamina.

However, he did not leave the career of an officer.

“I was a little old for a career as an officer, as I returned home at the age of 26 and had previously graduated from university with a master’s degree. If I had been a little younger, I might have chosen a career as an officer. ”

Laisi-Puhoinen continued his military service in the Defense Forces for seven years and served as a peacekeeper in Kosovo in 2002.

Approximately 1,600 women enter the military every year.

Women military service is topical, as the conscription committee suggested in october that conscripts would continue to be paid for by women as well.

The idea would be to oblige women to conscription, but military service would remain voluntary. Mandatory invitations could increase women’s will to defend the country.

Read more: The Conscription Committee issues three-stage invitations for the entire age group

Laisi-Puhoinen considers the idea to be worthwhile.

“The benefits of a possible reform depend on how it is implemented. At least there is no harm in society in raising awareness of national defense. ”

Already during her military service, she conducted research on the integration of female conscripts into the military. A study called Adaptation of women to the military organization published in 1998.

Although the results of the study are more than 20 years old, commonalities can be found in them to this day.

According to the study, a well-adapted and functional female soldier is in good physical condition. The woman copes with the demands of the military, is social, has a sense of humor, is mentally strong and gets along with men.

Laisi-Puhoinen emphasizes that women’s goals in military service are diverse.

“It’s not a gender issue. Some women apply for leadership training, for example, some want to pursue a career in the police, so they apply for military police, ”says Laisi-Puhoinen.

The treatment of women conscripts in the Defense Forces comes up in the media from time to time. In November, HS reported a female conscript who experienced continued inappropriate use in the military.

Read more: “It was written that she is a junction box” – A woman in military service reports of continuing inappropriate gender-based behavior in the military

Inappropriate behavior also emerged in Laisi-Puhelin’s study. Some women who started military service in 1996 said that some conscripts and regulars had a negative attitude towards women. Laisi-Puhoinen emphasizes that the harassment was not sexual in nature but mainly belittling.

“It was said, for example, that‘ you are nowhere to be found ’. The derogatory attitude of the men was not born during conscription and, on the other hand, did not disappear anywhere during the service. For some men, female leadership is still a difficult piece. ”

Laisi-Puhoinen continues to be in contact with a number of women who started their military service in 1996. Many are united today by the hunting hobby. Laisi-Puhoinen has already killed one deer this autumn and is going on the next deer hunt.

Hunting is a counterweight to a busy everyday life.

“Hunting is of interest to women who have completed military service, as we have a habit of handling weapons and a love of moving around in nature and wilderness. “

Hunting also includes ethics: Laisi-Puhoinen preferably eats the meat of an animal he has slaughtered.

Interest rate restrictions again confuse the plans of many Finns for this year’s Independence Day. Laisi-Puhoinen says that before Independence Day, a traditional promotion party is usually held at the Helsinki Knights’ Hall, but it has been canceled due to the epidemic.

“During the corona period, no special festive traditions have been formed. On Independence Day, I reflect on the legacy of veterans and lotteries and their significance for the homeland. ”

Gratitude also extends to today’s groups of people, such as entrepreneurs, who build society.

“As well as to the groups that maintain society and cope in difficult circumstances: caregivers, police officers and officers.”