“STRONG FAITH, unlimited trust. In a team, trust is everything. Without trust, there is no team.” This was the motto Kapten Johan Reispass used in his introduction on the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) variety program, The Soldiers. In 2021, Korean military variety shows shifted to spotlight reserved Special Forces soldiers through competition-style programs with the popular series Steel Troops and The Soldiers. These programs are exciting as they give viewers a glimpse of what special operations and training elite Special Forces soldiers conduct. While Steel Troops focused on different Special Forces units competing as teams, The Soldiers highlighted four teams led by global leaders from the Special Forces of Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. Each global leader formed a team with South Korean soldiers from different special operations units to later compete in various challenges. Backed by his impressive 17 years of experience in the Swedish Operations Task Group (SOG) and Special Protection Group (SSG), Reispass led Team Charlie. The Yonsei Annals interviewed Reispass to learn more about him and his experience representing the Swedish Special Forces on The Soldiers.

   Annals: How did you come to join the Special Forces in Sweden?

   KP Johan Reispass: In Sweden we have compulsory military service for all men older than 18. After I finished my mandatory service, I decided to stay in the Army and become an officer. During this time, Sweden was cutting down their defense forces, and my former regiment was disbanded the same year I graduated. I was placed in a different regiment, but I was not satisfied there. When an older colleague told me about a small, secret unit––the SOG––located in Karlsborg, Sweden, I went ahead and applied for it. The Swedish Special Forces were secretive and not well known at this time, so it was a bit of a coincidence that I became a part of it. It was my desire to seek new adventures and challenges that ultimately led me to join the Special Forces.

   Annals: What characteristics does it take to be in the Special Forces?

   Reispass: Throughout my years, I have met many different types of people in the Special Forces both in Sweden and from other countries. The common quality we all share is the drive to be the best version of ourselves and the determination to never give up. No matter what, we will always keep fighting even when the odds are against us.

   Annals: How was your overall experience on The Soldiers? What was the best part?

   Reispass: My overall experience on the show was very positive. The production company put a great deal of work and energy into making the show as entertaining as possible. It was great because all of the cast and production team were energetic and welcoming. The best part of being on The Soldiers was meeting new people, getting to know them, and developing those relationships. I got especially close to my teammates on Team Charlie. Also, the tasks they gave us on the show were challenging, which kept me constantly engaged.

   Annals: What was the biggest challenge you faced being on The Soldiers? Which of the show’s missions was the most difficult?

   Reispass: The biggest challenge was the language barrier; we had a difficult time communicating if the interpreter was not present. Swedish and Korean are fundamentally very different languages. Additionally, even English was not the native language of any of our members. It was a challenge to find the right words to express ourselves.

   The most physically challenging mission we were assigned on the show was to march up a mountain with heavy rucksacks; we also had to do pull-ups with a 40 kg tire tied to our waist, scale a wall as a team, and carry a 150 kg log along the journey to the finish line. In terms of mission complexity, the hostage rescue mission was the hardest assignment overall because it was a stressful situation with a lot of elements to consider and decisions to make under a time limit. I think my team did well, which is why I am disappointed that this mission got us eliminated.

   Annals: Your team on The Soldiers was unique because you emphasized that everyone was equal and there was no hierarchy. Is there a reason you chose to lead your team like that?

   Reispass: Emphasizing trust and speed when making decisions is important to me. Usually in a team there is a hierarchy with a leader, but to make efficient decisions as a team, all members must feel like they can voice their opinions. This was all the more important on The Soldiers because a detail for the mission could have easily been lost in translation. If everyone in the team is aware of the common objective, they should be able to make the right decisions.

   Annals: I saw on your Instagram that you had to buy your Swedish military uniform in Korea for filming. Is there a story behind this moment?

   Reispass: When we came to Korea, the production company asked us to bring certain equipment such as our uniforms. However, since the Swedish military owns all of the equipment and uniforms, I could not bring mine with me to Korea. I ultimately chose to leave it behind because we were informed that we would be wearing new uniforms on the show. Right before filming I ended up needing it, so we had to go to a small boutique where I found a lot of Swedish military gear. This left me wondering how all this Swedish military equipment ended up in this small store across the world.

   Annals: Are there any big differences between the SOG and the Korean Special Forces?

   Reispass: From the soldiers I met on the show, there were not many differences. The main thing I noticed is that they were younger because in Korea, they enlist when they are young and serve about four years in the Special Forces. In Sweden, we must do the basic military training first and work as a soldier for several years before applying to the Special Forces because they require people with more experience. On the show, we did not compare specific tactics or operations, so specialties like that were not distinguishable.

    Annals: You are currently an instructor on the Swedish military show Secrets of the Elite Force[1]. How was your experience instructing on that program?

   Reispass: It was also a good experience, but the concept is very different from The Soldiers. The concept of Secrets of the Elite Force is recruiting civilians and putting them through a Special Forces selection week[2] where their limits are tested. As an instructor on the show, I am there to be a stern directing staff, observing, mentoring, and pushing them to be better. This show is rewarding because you get to see regular people evolving and doing tasks they never thought they could do.

   Annals: Do you have any more plans for the future?

   Reispass: Another season or spin-off of The Soldiers would be fun, but I am not sure it will happen. In Sweden, season two of Secrets of the Elite Force will premiere, so I look forward to seeing how it is received by an audience. The transition to being on television programs has been a completely new thing for me, but I have learned a lot from it and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience on the shows. I also hope I can visit Korea again––especially after the pandemic––so I can experience more, learn more, and do more sightseeing.

[1] The original title is Elitstryrkans Hemlingheter

[2] Selection week: When applying to the Special Forces, soldiers are rigorously tested both physically and mentally to determine whether they are worth being trained for the Special Forces.