What is Finnish SRA Shooting? Jenny and Jari Explain!

[@kilofoxtrotdelta6112]

I have just passed my SRA written and shooting test, now waiting on my SRA card, (LRES Lahti reserve) as an ex-pat and British Army veteran of 15 years I feel honored to able to take part.

[@MikkoOnBass]

Did you manage to take the test in English? I'm having trouble finding any courses that aren't in Finnish/Swedish.

[@genericpersonx333]

As archaic as Swiss "training" seems, it fits the expected warfare. Finns expect vicious fighting in the woods, where dynamic movement is integral to any combat situation. Finding 300 meters of open ground is an achievement worthy of song in Finland. Switzerland still expects the average soldier to have a good chance of keeping their distance, picking off the enemy at 300 meters or more. The main thing is both countries still take seriously the value of common service to the country, and it seems to pay off, however much individuals may grumble.

[@BlokeontheRange]

The "neues Gefechtsschiessen" is all close-up and dynamic, but having watched them training it, it's pretty village level to be honest...

[@alphazuul9168]

SRA is not only close range. A stage can consist from 1m to 300m targets. At long range, especially when on a military range, we use their 1 hit metal resetting targets. Just really depended on the facilities & resources available to the organizers.

[@nikolaswirz4022]

You do realise that the Swiss army doesn’t exclusively train on the 300m range? Soldiers only qualify there. The majority of training revolves around live fire combat drills, modern combat style shooting within 25 meters and MOUT operations. During my entire service I was maybe three or four times max on a 300m range, excluding the mandatory yearly qualification shoots.

[@genericpersonx333]

@@nikolaswirz4022 Yes, Good Person, I am only referring to the 300-meter "civilian training" that was developed many decades ago so the men could keep their marksmanship up in safe and tidy shooting ranges. I am perfectly aware that the army training involves running up mountainsides, digging holes, and all the other fun stuff soldiers have been doing since the musket became passé.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Serious wind. Fascinating look at a portion of Finish society and how they have adopted universal service.

[@feuerfrei7070]

Germany had that too. But it got discontinued in 2011. You see negative effects of this in a lot of young people, who could use to know what actual discomfort is.

[@carsarecoo]

@@feuerfrei7070 forcing people into service is bad for morale. That is why the USA has the best military force people people who want to join the military do and those who don't want to don't have to. Conscription is also highly expensive. Especially when you get to countries the size of the US.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Sweden had a similiar system until 2006 when it was suspended by a center-right-libertarian economic extremist coalition In 2014, it was reinstated, this time without the gender segregation. Now everyone is called for evaluation the year they turn 18 and the armed forces decides who is suitable for what station without political interference in the criteria one way or another, and the results seem to indicate it's better than the old system. Also, tbh, I'd say that someone who serves through 7.5-18 months of training with adequate graduation marks and the friendship of their squad despite personal objection is more reliable as a citizen than a volounteered professional soldier with good marks but no ambition outside the uniform.

[@owensmith7530]

It is a good thing for all concerned that I was never forced to do military service. I hate taking orders without being told why xyz needs to be done, and I hate getting cold and wet or walking through the middle of the night for pointless training. And I am very good at making it clear when I'm not cooperating, it's hell for everyone. I'm an Engineer, it's my job to ask questions and understand why things are being done a certain way. And yet people here are saying I should have been forced to do military service. Why? It would definitely have been entirely bad for me, and it may not have been good for the people around me. Why hammer my square peg into a round hole?

[@feuerfrei7070]

@@owensmith7530 You could have done the civil service.

[@noah-vk7zc]

Man i wish the Swiss Army would start supporting something like this aswell. The ranges are already there, most people already have a rifle, ammo is already subsidized....300m static shooting gets kind of boring over the years, but something dynamic would be great because it gives the organisers endless possibilities.

[@leftnoname]

SRA seems to be a good option for Baltic countries with their less restrictive regulations. Would be nice too see resurgence of shooting sports in at least some parts of EU.

[@mattfleming86]

I would love to have some competition more like this in the US.

[@viggenguy4411]

Outlaw/2Gun/Brutality comes pretty close

[@mobiljobe]

We need this in Sweden as well! Home guard should look at this. I might even join as I no longer have a war placement. Shooting AK5 would be a bonus however AR15 will do 😀

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Bara så du vet, trots sin nominellt högre vikt än Ak5 är Ak4C otroligt smidig för sin tyngd och kaliber, skulle nästan vilja påstå att Ak4C är smidigare och bekvämare att hantera än Ak5A...

[@mobiljobe]

Du har säkert rätt, för mig är det mest nostalgi. AR15 funkar ju men jag skulle inte tacka nej till en AK5. AK4 borde väl vara dyrare att skjuta med också?

[@_f355]

yes but our regulators, the police and the old farts who run the shooting ranges will shit bloody bricks when they see something even remotely resembling "military-style training" and they would jump out of their pants to never let it happen.

[@george2113]

In intense cold or sand, the AK family has an edge but at distance or with mud the AR has the edge

[@mobiljobe]

@george2113 I would say that 7.62 Nato (AK4) is far better at ranges over 500m than 5.56 Nato (AR15,AK5). If I wanted to destroy something, the 7.62 Nato is like 2x the energy at 300m. Sure, I have used an AR15 at 500m, but I'd rather use a more potent cartridge at that range.

[@chadkhl1690]

I've lived in Finland for years and it took the Bloke to make me realize SRA is opened to foreign residents! I'm jumping in asap

[@Dimetropteryx]

Not sure what the community's preferred translation would be, but you can translate it as applied shooting or practical shooting for reservists.

[@McKollu]

The official translation is Shooting sport for Reservist Associations, that way the original abbreviation still makes sense.

[@Dimetropteryx]

@@McKollu Thank you for that information.

[@victoreem2]

@@Dimetropteryx Sovellettu Reserviläis Ammunta = Applied Reservist Shooting is the literal translation

[@djcoopes7569]

wish we had something like this here in Australia. practical rifle is just starting to kick off in SA and NT, but most other states are still in the dark ages of single load prone only shooting. here in WA we have practical shotgun due to a legal quirk, but its extraordinarily expensive to get into

[@Sman7290]

I wouldn't be too upset about the camo. They did hook you up with the good stuff!

[@feuerfrei7070]

I´d love to shoot SRA, seems like two gun but with a bit different ruleset!

[@elmoantero99]

basically it is like that except sometimes there is a shotgun involved altough i must say i hate the pistol shooting part

[@JP-ky2zp]

It is actually a 4 gun. Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun and Sniper/DMR rifle

[@dmg4415]

The Finnish advantage over the rest of the world, they do not have to crypt their conversation over radio, during a conflict. Are You not born Finnish, it is very hard to learn as an adult. And very hard to pronunciate, even for it's neighbours here in Sweden. Even as until 1809 Finland was a very important part of the Kingdom of Sweden, their soldiers was very tough, and renowned for hardness, bravery and skill. Hakkapeliita Poika, was a war cry from the Finnish cavellery during the wars in 1600s to the 1809 wars. It translates roughly to, Let The Steel Bite, Boys. The Swedish word for a young male "Pojke" comes from the Finnish Poika. And Hakkapeliita is still a Brand for Nokia winter car tires, with spikes. Hyvää från Routsi.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Also known for often keeping their mellow cool stoic apperance regardless of circumstances and actual emotional state underneath unless drunk to a point where only a Russian could match. So don't make a Finn mad, you might not get any warning before they have had enough to snap. /another Swede

[@thomaskloos6409]

Suomi perkkele!

[@myparceltape1169]

Wireless radio communications are a challenge to be solved by Google, unless they already have a real-time translator for sale.

[@Drumsetti]

The war cry is actually: Hakkaa päälle pohjanpoika! It's hard to translate, but roughly means "Cut them down(/Beat them down), sons of the north!" Hälsningar från Finland! 🇫🇮🤝🇸🇪

[@dmg4415]

@@Drumsetti Thank You for bringing out the Truth. But they was the fiercest warriors the Swedes had! That I hope I got right.

[@RonOhio]

Great content, looking forward to the shooting.

[@CAPNMAC82]

Bet there will be a ready market for SRA in Slovak, Czechia, probably Slovenia and Poland, too (possible before Suisse considers it).

[@BlokeontheRange]

Switzerland doesn't have access to suitable ranges unfortunately.

[@misarthim6538]

I think western world needs to re-embrace the fact that armed population makes you more safe not less. Since 90s, the politicians had prevalent thought that wars are thing of the past or thing of lesser people in other parts of the world. But with Ukraine, I hope it has become clear that war can come to our neck of the woods very easily. It’s a clear fact that it’s easier to defend your country when everyone knows how to use a rifle. I hope western governments are taking notes, well done Finland.

[@villekoikkalainen7940]

SRA as a sport has been around quite a while in Finland already but it was known only to Finnish people. I guess after Varustelekas brutality competition and the war in Ukraine it has become more popular and also known abroad. I think every country should incite this type of sport to it's citizens. People are practicing shooting and different scenarios (and their physique) on their own time, on their own money and it will be a tremendous help if a crisis would arise.

[@Tounushi]

Is Motivation Hill still next to the 100m range?

[@ZeAngrySnowmongol]

Don't mention that place out loud, I had ptsd even from the tought of it

[@trioptimum9027]

Another interesting Finnish constitutional soundbite: it's not just that every citizen is expected to defend the country from, you know, Zombie Stalin's invasion force. They also expect you to defend your fellow citizens from disaster and the like. Here in the US, if you see a house on fire but you're late for work, it's perfectly legal to just keep driving and hope everything turns out okay without you, right? Not so in Finland: there is a legal duty to assist, and you could (theoretically) be prosecuted for failing to render aid. (I've no idea how often that actually happens, though.) (Yes, in some cases there could also be consequences in the US: in some places you may be required to call that fire in, for instance. There could also be professional consequences: I believe the AMA takes a dim view of doctors just walking away from disaster victims. But in general you are under no legal obligation to render even the most basic aid. For instance, a few months ago I was walking home when a fellow at the bus stop waved me over and (with some difficulty) told me he was having trouble breathing. So I called 911 and gave them the details. Once the operator established that this guy was in distress but wasn't actively dying and could wait for an available ambulance, he asked me if I was willing to wait with him and call back if he took a turn. Of course I said yes... But legally, here, I could have said "no, I have a very important nap on my agenda, I'm leaving.")

[@NP-cq3vb]

Hold up, you don't have to stay and offer any help you can in an accident you come across? Bruh, that's just basic human decency. Here if there is, say, a car accident and the nearest ambulance is 2h away (plausible), you'd be expected to help the person and get them towards the hospital even if it meant you 100k car's seats got coated in blood.

[@trioptimum9027]

@@NP-cq3vb Oh, you'd be EXPECTED to anywhere: as you say, human decency. But not legally REQUIRED to. And it's my understanding that this goes a little farther than out-of-control fires and bleeding victims, too, and also covers situations which are a bit above and beyond the minimum of decency: if there's a flood, for instance, local authorities can essentially "conscript" people to fill sandbags, where in the US that would certainly be considered neighborly but not absolutely required. (This can work to your advantage, too: if your sociopathic boss objects to you working on flood control instead of coming in to finish that report, he's SOL because you're covered under the same laws as if you were on a military mobilization.)

[@BotherNone]

My first guess is Solving Russian Aggression?

[@NP-cq3vb]

Nonono, they're little green men who's unit composition just happen to be exactly the same as Russian units... Finnish military definitely never assumes it'll be Russia again...

[@Marlanson]

Just imagine the Obli to be something similare to that... :O

[@adamsmith9032]

Anyone know what rifle was being fired at 1:56. I can't tell from the hand guard.

[@BlokeontheRange]

That's my Bushmaster M17S

[@traildogisla]

Would love to come and have a go at SRS but as a Brit that pistol element is always going to be tough to get to standard

[@myparceltape1169]

You used to be able to get a spud gun in Woolies. :-)

[@sagqe]

Funny how you recognize a place simply from a wall and seating.

[@michaelhyland9216]

Looks like fun!

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

I want to do that course with my m70 zpap I just picked up

[@varjen018]

I wonder how hard it is for me as a Swede to come over and compete in SRA?

[@1982rrose]

These videos make me want to visit Finland, but now I want to visit & do this! Very cool. I would like more details on SRA.

[@deepsudeep]

Links in the description dont work anymore. Where can i find more info?

[@BlokeontheRange]

ifsra.net/

[@deathtdow]

Shit now I want to live in Finland 🇫🇮

[@victoreem2]

Just started this video and the inctroduction part reminded I need to give you some credit for very good pronunciation of the finnish words/names I noticed this back in when you were doing the finnish brutality videos with inrange and polenar Big 👍 to you Sir

[@victoreem2]

also whenever you meet Karl or Ian the next time please tell them that Karl like you atleast as the Varusteleka pronunciation spot on but man Ian always says Varustelika or something like that lika=dirt/dirty so you can roast him about that

[@hermatred572]

Oh nice

[@georgelstuart]

Good stuff!

[@simmysims9209]

45 is now the age when you removed from the reserve. Officers are still age of 60?

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

Yes, its seems a bit excessive to have 60+ as grunts? Sure, there are 60+ guys in great shape, but the majority is feeling the age at that point.

[@daetslovactmandcarry6999]

¿How DARE the wind blow while you're interviewing people! ¿Doesn't the wx know we're important people? Seriously though, thank you for this. It's interesting to hear how other militries operate, _especially compulsry militiries_ (since I've advocated compulsry militry service for some countries, Japan being the main one right now).

[@JordanFlayer]

Jari is the 🐐

[@ditzydoo4378]

Today! the Bloke will demonstrate how to properly collapse a T-10 Parachute in near hurricane crosswind on the landing zone... 0~o Take it away Bloke... ^~^

[@DebakulumToughguts]

👍 für den Algorithmus

[@WojciechP915]

0:11 Hello

[@berryreading4809]

Finnish people don't need wind flags, they just use the trees... except when they are being the trees 🔎😁👍

[@dbmail545]

If you have girls going for the front line, you are unbeatable

[@paanikki]

The "Girl" is an Army reserve officer. I don't remember which branch though. She also has a master's degree in international law.

[@JK_82]

Jari's right hand is much bigger than his left hand 😆

[@mybuickskill6979]

What's wrong with shotguns? 🤔😲🤣

[@simontan6248]

Not very much good against Russians with vintovka and avtomat.

[@herknorth8691]

Shotguns are for the birds.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Shotguns are great in the right context, eg. felling birds, deer or hare when the field kitchen is on the other, friendly side of the enemy lines... ;)

[@MandoWookie]

Shotguns are great for versatility in hunting applications, and against unarmored attackers at ranges under 25 meters with proper loads, but are pretty niche in military applications , especially in this kind of competition that is oriented toward skill building in regards to militia service. Shotguns just dont have the applicable utility in this context to justify the inclusion, especially at the cost of diverting training time away from rifles.

[@Sman7290]

@Jona v.K My longest kill to date with a shotgun is 165 yards. There is no time ever that a pistol is more deadly than a shotgun. The only reason that pistols are more commonly used is that they are smaller and lighter.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

If Switzerland renounced its neutrality and attacked Finland, which side would bloke fight on?

[@BlokeontheRange]

We'd resolve it by just getting drunk together!

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

@@BlokeontheRange lol, sounds about right .

[@davidbrennan660]

After the drinking comes the fighting with knives..... Finland might just edge it.

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

@@davidbrennan660 lol, nice one

[@IamOutOfNames]

@@BlokeontheRange So, a drinking competition? Taking shots in turns?

[@Rex_Starborne]

Oh. SRA over here in the United States means "Socialists Rifle Association" and for a second I thought they got a commercial sponsorship lol

[@jesper509]

Is that allowed? To name anything "socialist" in the us? 😉

[@MellowFellowOfYellow]

Socialism is when the government does stuff and the more stuff the government does the more socialister it is

[@davidbrennan660]

Clearing Soviet style defensive works.

[@hnangell]

When is Switzerland going to get smart and join NATO?

[@BlokeontheRange]

It's been NATO in all but name since NATO has existed ;)

[@johnqpublic2718]

First on the range.

[@lallugga]

S.A..S. there and hereforfth

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

i find it fascinating how finnish were originally an asian mongolic type race and today they look so white but kept that uralic language.