Memories of compulsory military service in men’s (born 1939–1969) written autobiographies

Authors

• Anni Ojajärvi Nuorisotutkimusseura
• Tiia Laukkanen

Abstract

This article examines how memories of war, the military, and time spend in the compulsory military service are presented in men’s written biographies. The autobiographies studied in the article were written by Finnish men born between the years 1939 and 1969 (N=87). They were collected by the Finnish Literature Society during 1992 and 1993. The article tracks down changes and continuities in men’s memories. Even though everyday life in the military changed in 30 years, the narratives of military service memories were in many ways similar across time. War related stories and memories about the war were closely intertwined in the older men’s (1939–1952) military service memories. However, the younger men (1953–1969) did not combine war with their memories in the same way. In addition there were more critical perspectives towards compulsory military service in the views of the younger generation.