Home Guard sees biggest surge in volunteers

The number of Danes volunteering for the Home Guard has significantly increased last year by 35% compared to the previous year, marking the largest rise since 1983. General Major Gunner Arpe Nielsen attributes the uptick to a more serious global situation and increased focus on war and disasters. Volunteers express a sense of responsibility due to current global events. The Home Guard consists of around 13,500 active volunteers and about 30,000 in the reserve force, performing both military and civilian tasks. An escalating security threat has shifted the organization towards more military-centric roles. Nielsen anticipates the growth in interest will continue. Interest particularly spiked following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with 1,829 applicants and 1,220 recruits in 2022, up from 1,299 applicants and 916 recruits in 2021.