[4] Because Finland is not under direct military threat, the current Army is, as it has been since the end of Second World War, in peacetime training formation.

This means that its brigades (Finnish: joukko-osasto) are not meant to be operational combat units but training formations.

During regular refresher exercises and in case of a crisis, the reserve unit will be activated and deployed in the formation it trained in during conscription.

As a result, officer benefits of the allotment system became practically pensions, as payment was based on passive availability, not on actual service.

Voluntary defence organizations disguised as fire brigades were formed by the Finnish people, especially during the strikes during and after the Russo-Japanese War.

However, Jägers gained important positions in the army, and German tactics and military principles were adopted.

The Finnish Army consisted of 9 field divisions, 4 brigades and a number of small independent battalions and companies at the beginning of the Winter War in 1939.

The defence of the rest of the border up to Petsamo by the Arctic Ocean was given to the North Finland Group which consisted of a handful of independent battalions.

Finland ceded 9% of its territory via the Moscow Peace Treaty, but prevented the Soviets from annexing the whole country.

The relatively inactive period of stationary war ended abruptly in June 1944, as the Soviet Union started its Fourth Strategic Offensive.

As a result, the Finnish Army lost large areas of the Karelian Isthmus, most importantly Viipuri, a major city, and was forced to retreat from Eastern Karelia.

The Soviet Union concentrated its forces on the battles in Central Europe, and Finland made a separate peace in September 1944.

The German forces retreated to Norway, and Finland was, therefore, able to uphold its armistice promise to the Soviet Union.

[9] During normal operation, the regional offices are responsible for conscription, organising voluntary national defence work and planning crisis-time activities.