Many are interested in a versatile hobby in crisis management and preparation. However, the war in Ukraine hasn’t seemed to increase the number of membership applications in Huittinen.

The key role in the reservist activities in Huittinen is played by the strong cooperation between the Reserve Officer's Club of Huittinen and the Reservist of the Huittinen Region. There are 210 reservists in total, of which 150 are reservists and 60 are reserve officers.

–Because of the war in Ukraine, Reservist activities became interesting at the national level, but the situation did not reflect on us in a bigger way. A few questions about the membership came from further away, but they dried up immediately when they first asked where the guns were, says Timo Vuorisalo, the secretary of both organizations.

–The local activity isn’t military at all. The point is to maintain reserve skills – managing civil crisis and preparation.

Pia Huhtala says that being a reservist is for everyone.

–You don't have to have been in the army, I haven't either. The activity is strongly focused on preparation and maintaining fitness. Everyone has their own path, what they want to do here. You don't have to think about whether you can join the activity, there is something interesting for everyone, encourages Huhtala.

About a dozen women work in the Huittinen reservists.

–The activities of the Huittinen Regional Reservists and the Huittinen Reserve Officers' Club are otherwise common, but the associations have their own meetings and separate teams in competitions.

–Together we organize, for example, walking marches, cross-country skiing and shooting, excursions to different garrisons, theater trips, visits to neighboring associations and a hot smoke sauna on the last Thursday of the month, except when it's freezing cold, reservist activists recite.

–We are in the honor guard at the war grave and as flag bearers at events. We have also taken it upon ourselves to shovel snow from the war graves, so that it is easier to go there to light candles, says Vuorisalo.

–The sports are the so-called field sports - muscle fitness, shooting, cycling, swimming and orienteering, for which field tests are also organized. Age and rank in the army affect the lengths in the exams, among other things. However, for many these are just personal goals, Ville Koitto says.

– I picture reservist skills and keeping fit as an important thing, like for example fire insurance, which you hope will never be needed. However, it is worth investing in them, because we do not have a professional army, but defense is everyone's business, says Koitto.

LUE ALKUPERÄINEN JUTTU Huittisten reserviläistoiminnassa korostuu vahva yhteistyö – Monipuolinen harrastus kriisinhallinnan ja varautumisen parissa kiinnostaa

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