Rannikkojääkärit, the Finnish Coastal Jaegers, the Special Force Unit of the Navy, of the Coast Brigade of Finland, are trained in unconventional warfare, reconnaissance, counterterrorism and so much more. They are the Combat Divers of Finland. Their Selection Process is considered to be the hardest in Finland.

Motto: "Kerran rannikkojääkäri, aina rannikkojääkäri" Translation: Once a Coastal jaeger, Always a coastal jaeger

Established in: "2019"

To join, one must be a Finnish Citizen, enrolled in the Finnish Armed Forces, either as a conscript or as a volunteer, and has to have good eyesight and be in overall good shape. The candidate's BMI cannot be more than 30 and the candidate cannot have more than 20% bodyfat. Only 20 Applicants are selected for every training cycle, which is every 2 years. In the year in between, candidates for clearance diver units are selected.

Rannikkojääkärit Workout

To make it through pre-selection, one must have to take the physical fitness test. It is to say that some of the exercises, especially the ones in the water, should be taken supervised by a doctor and professionals. Underwater exercises can kill you. To pick up the plates from the ground, one can only take one breath at the top before heading back onto the floor of the swimming pool, which is 6 meters deep. The sit-ups are performed at a 90 degree level over a bench, where another candidate or cadre will hold on to your legs. They have to touch their knees with their elbows. The ruck march is performed with 10 KG and one does not have to leave the course if they finish it under 1h 20 minutes. It is however better to score higher on your physical fitness test as each Selection for combat diver has only limited spots available. There is one event that one cannot fail at all, which is the 1 min underwater breath-hold.

Selection Navy Coastal Jaegers

The Navy Coastal Jaegers go through hard training phases. They have to ruck march 70 to 80 KM with 40 lbs on their back. They will accomplish about 60 to 100 divers within that 1 year of training. They will also go back to the basics and learn basic skills, which will be followed by scuba diving. Months will be passed learning in a classroom setting and hours will be put aside for learning and application of military leadership. A variety of calisthenics will be demanded to be performed by the candidate every day. They will spend hours in the pool, where the mental toughness is tested over and over again. Their feet and hands will be tied and they will be asked to dive and swim. The cadre looks for excellence in the candidate and dedication. The candidates are taught to mitigate all mistakes so that they don't perform with mistakes in the open water. They then go into 7 Weeks of physical and mental duress, where they have to face a challenging combat fitness test at the end.

Attributes of a Special Border Jaegers:

To be successful in this unit, one must be a team player, self-motivated, and driven. One does not come perfect but has to push very hard and be dedicated to the Selection to the fullest. A good candidate comes in good shape to be able to endure Selection, and with a mentality to maintain under pressure.

Facts of a Special Border Combat Divers:

Women are allowed entry into this Special Force Combat Group. So far, one has successfully made through Selection into the Unit.

The units' entry fitness test used to be even harder, and more swimming and diving based. It does not seem that the Selection Standards have dropped.