Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen undertakes mandatory MILITARY SERVICE in his native Finland

NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen traveled to his home country once his season completed to take part in an unusual offseason regimen of military service. 

It is mandatory that all Finnish men must serve before turning 30, and for the 25-year-old Markkanen there was no time like the present. 

There is a sixth-month requirement upon Markkanen - and all men - though it is unclear if he will complete it all this offseason. 

'I just figured if we're not going to playing in the postseason this year, then it's going to be a good time to do it now, instead of just postponing it and then eventually having to do it in a time that wouldn't work so well for me,' he told reporters after the regular season. 

'We have to do it, but at the same time we take pride in it, too. I think it sets an example to serve. And I'm confident I can do it in a way that it's not going to affect my preparation for next season, either.' 

Like all Finnish men, Lauri Markkanen must undertake military service before reaching 30

Markkanen has said he will juggle his offseason training regimen alongside service duties

Markkanen picks up his basic equipment at an army base in Helsinki earlier this week

Utah Jazz star Markkanen enjoyed an incredibly successful individual 2022-23 season

While in Finland, he will train to become part of a reconnaissance squad that could see action either in an emergency or a war.

Finland, which shares an 832-mile border with Russia, have been approved to become a member of NATO following Russian president Vladimir Putin's decision to begin military operations in Ukraine in early 2022.   

Per ESPN, Markkanen will train at the Defence Forces' Sports School, where he can complete his offseason workouts.

'Of course I'd rather be working out like I normally do, but I've heard they do a good job of combining the two,' Markkanen told the outlet. 

'You're able to do your job working as an athlete and your basic training at the same time.'

'I definitely don't want it to affect the basketball part, so we'll figure out how to do a combination.' 

After he was part of the Cleveland trade to acquire Donovan Mitchell from Utah, Markkanen had a marked improvement -- recognized by his nomination for the Most Improved Player.

The forward - nicknamed 'The Finnisher' - puts his bag on to begin the service in his homeland

Markkanen's time in the military will be a world away from his professional duties in the NBA

Lined up alongside his fellow recruits, there will be no special treatment in the Defence Forces