Simo is responsible for vehicles and transports

Transport NCO Simo Vauhkonen works as the light vehicle platoon commander at Karelia AirWing’s Transport Facility in Kuopio.

A typical workweek includes inspecting and examining the facility’s vehicles, ordering and maintaining tyres, preparing the conscripts’ weekly programmes, and doling out work tasks.

– I also work as an auxiliary trainer for the motorised work machine course, and I’m responsible for preparing our facility’s trip tickets. I work both by myself and in teams.

Memorable exercises and heaps of learning

One of Vauhkonen’s most memorable experiences was when he was responsible for the land transport to an international exercise in the Netherlands as an articulated lorry driver – his first official international work trip in his military career. Another interesting task was the refresher course for snowmobile instructors in Rovajärvi: spending a week on a snowmobile in challenging terrain was an experience that taught the best and most demanding aspects of snowmobiling.

– Another exercise that comes to mind is one where I was responsible for equipment transports and vehicle refuelling. That was part of a large whole, and I’ve been able to use what I learned there in my later work.

After the continuing training for the NCO course, Vauhkonen was appointed as the platoon commander of the 2nd recruit platoon, where he gained plenty of experience in working with a larger platoon. He also found it interesting to monitor his own development as a leader before and after the training period.

– The best part of my work is the variety. While each year follows a similar pattern, no two days are ever alike. That helps keep my work interesting and suitably challenging.