The matter in summary • 50% of young people between the ages of 15-25 are worried about war and unrest in the world, according to a survey by Opinion.• Despite the concern, there is great motivation for the first service among young people.• Many of the young people who do not want into the Armed Forces, says it is due to a collision with studies or other plans, not world unrest.• The young people who were interviewed see a year in the Armed Forces as an experience, despite worries about war.• 49 out of 60 young people were accepted for initial service in the Armed Forces on the day of the session this text refers to. – I am more worried now than before. It is very uncertain in Europe, and really everywhere, says 18-year-old Jo Frønsdal Engedal from Oslo. He sits straight-backed on a stool inside the small common area at Skøyen session centre. A little nervous, but mostly excited, he waits for his name to be called. Before long, he will find out if he will join the Armed Forces. – I would prefer to join the Army, smiles Engedal, who is one of a total of 60 young people who have been admitted to the session this day. The first thing Jo had to pass was the theory test. It is a kind of IQ test that measures general ability level. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news Half are worried about war In a survey carried out by Opinion, it appears that 50 percent of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 are worried about war and unrest in the world, and 27 percent are worried about war and unrest in Norway. Head of Skøyen session center Aleksander Mydland Panic nevertheless feels that the young people they have had in session recently have been very motivated for their first service in the Armed Forces. Head of Skøyen session center Aleksander Mydland Panic. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news – There are of course always some candidates who are not motivated, for various reasons. But I very rarely experience that the reason why someone does not want to join the Armed Forces is because there is unrest in the world. According to Panic, the reason why some people do not want to join the Armed Forces is that it conflicts with studies or other plans. Figures news has received from the Norwegian Armed Forces show that more young Norwegians both attend the session and complete their initial service. – Of course we think about war. During the session day, the young people are tested both theoretically and physically. They also go through a medical examination and an interview, where they talk about motivation and where they are told whether they will join the Armed Forces or not. Here the young people practice jumping before the physical tests. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news The physical tests consist of long jump, medicine ball throw and “pull-ups”. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news First the group must complete the theoretical test. The grading scale is from 1-9. If you score above 5, you may have to apply for several courses in the armed forces. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news Several dreaded the running test the most. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news But in the group almost everyone got top marks. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news In other words, this is both a demanding, nerve-wracking and exciting day. The young people news meets at the session this day say that they are motivated to join the Armed Forces – even with the world view that exists today. – Of course we think about war, but at the same time I see a year in the Armed Forces as an experience, says Alette Paulsen Groth (17) from Oppegård. Groth and Solemslie both want to join the Armed Forces, but where, they are still a little unsure. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news She is on a session with her friend Thyra Solemslie (18). They both want to join the Armed Forces. – I want to join the Armed Forces because of personal development, and not because I want to go to war, says Solemslie. The two friends reflect a lot on the war in both Ukraine and the Middle East. And especially in the last week, the presidential election in the USA has been frequently discussed in the group of friends. – It was only yesterday at the latest that we discussed the election in the USA at handball training. Now that Trump has won the election, abortion in particular has been much discussed, says Groth. Meaningful service Newly elected US President Donald Trump has recently cast doubt on US NATO support. If Trump decided to pull the US out of NATO, it would have major consequences for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Jo Engedal, who is still waiting to find out whether he will join the Armed Forces or not, has made up several thoughts about Trump and the future. Both Engedal and Groth have thought about how Trump can influence the future. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news – First of all, I am very worried about the USA in general, both economically and with regard to women’s rights. I am also quite worried about Norway and Europe. Is Trump withdrawing from NATO or the Paris Agreement? I get worried when I think about it, says the 18-year-old. Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy Karsten Friis temporarily believes that it is far too early to say anything about Trump’s foreign policy. But regardless of Trump, Friis believes that we still live in a dangerous world. – I think that those who are in the Armed Forces today have a meaningful service because there is war in Europe. We have a neighbor who has attacked another neighbour, so it is clear that being part of the Armed Forces, where you have to prevent war, is much more meaningful today than when, for example, I was there, says Friis. Researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy, Karsten Friis. Photo: Tore Linvollen / news – It’s clear it’s scary In the survey carried out by Opinion, young people between the ages of 15 and 25 were also asked if they think the situation will worsen over the next ten years. 51 percent answered yes. In 2023, it was 40 per cent. This means that there has been an increase of a full eleven percent in one year. Friis says that he has great understanding of the young people’s concerns. – There are serious things happening in the world. Both war in Ukraine and the Middle East and China, which is an authoritarian country and which is beginning to lean more and more forward. In addition, we are uncertain about the US. Of course it’s scary, says Friis. After the physical tests, the young people wait to find out whether they will enter the first service or not. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news The final verdict “Jo Frønsdal Engedal” There is shouting from inside one of the interview rooms. Now Engedal will finally find out whether he will join the Armed Forces or not. He excitedly enters one of the offices. – Are you motivated? asks the officer. – Yes. I was probably more motivated before, but I still want to join the Armed Forces, Engedal answers. A small smile begins to lurk at the corner of his mouth, does Jo get the service he wants? Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news After a short interview of around five minutes, he finally got the answer. – Did you come in? – Yes, I am going to the recruit school in Elverum, which is part of the Army. I came in, and that was what I wanted. So I am very satisfied, replies a happy Engedal. A total of 49 out of 60 young people were accepted for first-time service in the Armed Forces this session day. Published 14.11.2024, at 19.15
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Half of today’s young people are worried about war in the world – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
