Vääpelis were trained at the Maanpuolustusopisto, a military junior college, and were usually salaried staff NCOs, as opposed to conscripts or officers.

Vääpelis were traditionally responsible for much of the practical tasks in training conscripts and keeping them in line (often literally), in a manner similar to drill sergeant.

They were the lowest rank of permanent salaried NCO and thus to a conscript, they were the first and most often encountered of career personnel.

Obtaining the rank of vääpeli required completion of a degree from Päällystöopisto, a military junior college.

Vääpelis were career NCOs and could be promoted to ylivääpeli and sotilasmestari, but not to commissioned officers; this would require attending the Finnish National Defence University.