Hei! I’m a Norwegian woman in my early 20s and I’m seriously considering doing military service, but I still have a lot of questions and mixed feelings. I figured Reddit might be the best place to get honest answers instead of recruitment brochures.
I’ve grown up hearing that the Norwegian military is pretty gender-equal and more relaxed compared to other countries, which is honestly part of what attracts me. At the same time, I’m trying to understand what that actually means day to day, especially during rekruttskolen.
I keep seeing people online say things like men and women sharing rooms or showering together, and I’m not sure how true that really is versus exaggeration. Are the living spaces actually mixed? Or is it more like same-gender rooms but mixed units? And what about showers. Are they fully open, or are there some privacy options?
I’ve even seen video clips where male and female soldiers do a skinny-dipping exercise together, and I’ve read articles that mention soldiers continuing to bathe together even after basic training.That sounds so wild to me (in a respectful way!) since it’s so different from what I’m used to.
I’d really love to hear from anyone who’s served, especially other women. How was it in reality versus what you expected? What was the hardest part to adjust to, socially and mentally? Did the mixed-gender environment feel normal after a while, or did it always feel a bit strange?
Tusen takk 💙 Just genuinely curious and trying to decide if this is the right path for me 🇳🇴
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IcyClerk97
3 comments
Nice try, Putin
Shared rooms. Not sharing showers. If bathrooms are shared there are stalls(IE unisex) and no urinals.
Physical requirements are significantly more relaxed for women.
Done my service over several years, not a woman.
Most of the camps I have been to there was gender rooms, not mixed. Out in the field we had to get by with what we had, like tents with everyone inside. Our group/patrole was also mixed.
Do the service now while still young and healthy, its much harder starting at 25+ It will give you both memories and learned lessons for life.