Marching participants in the Finnish Defence Forces’ national Flag Day parade in Kuopio on 4 June 2025. Photo: Matias Honkamaa / Str / Lehtikuva
- Next Article Finnish pharmacy chain fined €1.1m for sharing customer data with tech giants
More than 3,200 reservists in Finland received military promotions on the Finnish Defence Forces’ Flag Day, which took place on 4 June. The list includes both officers and enlisted personnel, with the majority of promotions going to non-commissioned ranks.
Of the 3,218 individuals promoted, more than 1,000 were reserve officers and special officers. The remaining promotions were granted to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
One individual, Risto Määttä, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. This is a rare appointment in the reserve, typically requiring significant prior service within the defence administration.
A total of 83 reservists were promoted to the rank of major or, in the case of the Navy, commander. Major is the highest rank that can generally be awarded to a reservist under normal circumstances.
The Flag Day promotions also included active-duty personnel. Several officers were promoted from lieutenant colonel to colonel:
-
Marko Hirsimäki and Mikko Kurko from the Defence Command
-
Jussi Annala from the Guard Jaeger Regiment
-
Tapio Huhtamella from the National Defence University
-
Tero Koljonen from the Armoured Brigade
-
Janne Rautiainen from the Logistics Command
-
Mikko Saarelainen from the Karelia Brigade
In addition, Vesa Ek, a lieutenant colonel of engineering from the Air Force Command, was promoted to colonel of engineering. Ilkka Laaksi, a medical lieutenant colonel from the Centre for Military Medicine, was promoted to colonel in the medical service.
Two officers were promoted to commodore: Timo Lehtimäki, commander of the Defence Command, and Mika Mäkilevo, commander of the Navy Command.
Flag Day is one of the Finnish Defence Forces’ key annual occasions, during which promotions, honours, and awards are formally issued.
HT
- Next Article Finnish pharmacy chain fined €1.1m for sharing customer data with tech giants
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
