The Home Guard Skaraborg – a leisure activity that makes a difference

The main task of the Home Guard is to protect, guard, conduct surveillance, and support society in times of crisis. Serving in the Home Guard is something you do alongside your regular occupation. A few days each year, you take leave from your job and head out into the field for training exercises.

“At a minimum, you spend four days per year participating in the Home Guard. But it’s possible to dedicate much more time! Those who are really interested can pursue further training within the Home Guard, for example to become an instructor. There are also many activities between the major exercises where you can get involved, and if you want to start out simply, there’s a group that has begun training together once a week. Everyone is welcome to join!” says Johanna Nyman, recruitment coordinator for Home Guard battalions 38 and 39, which operate in Skaraborg.

The Home Guard consists of 22,000 soldiers across the country. In Skaraborg, there are two battalions.

“A sense of camaraderie I haven’t experienced in any other civilian context”

Ulrika Darheden has been part of the Home Guard for 10 years.

“I got in touch with the Home Guard through a friend. I was involved in another voluntary organization but felt there were too few exercises there. In the Home Guard, there are regular exercises at least twice a year. I work as a driver of heavy vehicles - trucks and off-road transport vehicles—in what’s called headquarters and logistics. We handle all the equipment for the company and its leadership.”

For Ulrika, it is the sense of camaraderie that stands out most in the Home Guard.

“Everyone counts and is needed, no matter what role you have. You contribute to society in peace, crisis, and war. It’s a good feeling to know that you can make a difference. All the training and experience you gain in the Home Guard shape you as a person in a positive way - and you benefit from it in civilian life as well. The bond you build with your team members is something I haven’t experienced in any other civilian context.”

Military experience is helpful - but not required

Most people in the Home Guard have prior experience from the Swedish Armed Forces, usually from having completed their military service.

“Some people join the Home Guard right after finishing their conscription, but it’s even more common to take a break for a few years before joining,” says Johanna.

If you don’t have previous military experience when applying to the Home Guard, you will need to complete a basic training course for volunteers. The training lasts two weeks and includes learning things such as how to wear a uniform, travel and sleep in a tent, and handle weapons.

A wide variety of roles

There are many different roles within the Home Guard, and both officers and soldiers are needed. Those who apply have a great opportunity to influence which role they take on - but there must be a vacancy for that position to be available. At the moment, there is a shortage of medics, field cooks, and dog handlers. So people with medical or cooking skills, as well as those who own a dog, are especially welcome to apply to the Home Guard in Skaraborg.

“One role that many people don’t know we have is musicians. In the past, trumpet signals were widely used by the armed forces, and that musical tradition lives on. In the Home Guard band, we need people who play flute, trumpet, saxophone, and other wind instruments, as well as percussion. The band performs at various ceremonies throughout the Armed Forces and also in civilian contexts,” says Johanna.

The Home Guard in heightened readiness or war

The Home Guard has several important tasks during heightened readiness or in wartime. If needed, the Home Guard will be assigned to protect and guard key sites in the local area. The Home Guard must be able to be on site within six hours and remain operational for up to 90 days.

“The basic idea of the Home Guard is that we should have strong local knowledge and operate in our immediate area. The likelihood that you, as a Home Guard soldier, would be sent far away in a wartime situation is small - we are needed to safeguard security locally across Sweden,” says Johanna.

This text has been translated with the help of AI.