Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces
Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces | |
---|---|
Eesti Kaitseväe peastaap | |
![]() Insignia of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces | |
Active | 1918–1940 1991–present |
Country | ![]() |
Part of | Estonian Defence Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Juhkentali 58, 15007, Tallinn, Estonia |
Motto(s) | Viribus unitis (With united forces) |
Anniversaries | 26 November (formed) 31 October (restored)[1] |
Engagements | Estonian War of Independence |
Commanders | |
Chief of Staff | Major General Vahur Karus |
The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces is the working body of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces and joint staff of the Estonian Defence Forces.[2] Its main tasks include supporting the activities of the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Defence Forces; planning the activities of the Defence Forces; advising, supervising, coordinating and controlling the activities of the Defence Forces units.[3]
History
[edit]The first headquarters of the Estonian military was initially formed on 6 December 1917, as the Staff of the Estonian Division. The formation of the headquarters was conducted by Andres Larka and Jaan Soots. The Staff of the Estonian Armies was officially established on 26 November 1918, with Andres Larka becoming the Chief of Staff. In 1926, the Staff of the Estonian Armies was abolished and its functions were transferred to the General Staff, which was subordinate to the Minister of War. In 1929, the General Staff and the Administrative Agency were joined into the Staff of the Defence Forces. On 1 April 1937, it was renamed the Staff of the Armies. The headquarters was abolished in 1940, after the Soviets occupied Estonia.[4]
The headquarters was re-established on 31 October 1991, as the General Staff of the Defence Forces, with Ants Laaneots becoming the Chief of Staff. In 1995, based on the Navy and Air Force Departments of the General Staff, the Navy Staff and the Air Force Staff became independent units. In 2001, the Army Staff also became independent. In 2009, the General Staff was renamed the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces.[5]
Structure
[edit]The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces is mainly tasked with counseling and supporting the activities of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, planning the activities of the Defence Forces, organizing the training of the Defence Forces, planning and coordinating military operations, and preparing and organizing mobilization. It is headed by the Chief of Staff of the Headquarters, who commands the staff and corresponding subordinate units.[6] The headquarters consists of various departments: the General Department, Strategic Communication Department, Personnel Department (J1), Military Intelligence Department (J2), Operations Department (J3), Logistics Department (J4), Analysis and Planning Department (J5), Signals Department (J6), Training Department (J7), and Budget and Finance Department (J8).[5]
Chief of Staff
[edit]The Chief of Staff is responsible for providing information and analysis to the Commander of the Defence Forces, preparing and executing national defence, developing and managing command structures, administrating the Headquarters of the Defence Forces, managing of the Defence Forces resources and investments, planning military operations, organizing international cooperation and mobilization. The Chief of Staff is supported in his/her activities by the Deputy Chief of Staff, who can also stand in for the Chief of Staff in his/her absence.[6]
List of Chiefs of Staff:[5]
No. | Portrait | Chief of Staff | Took office | Left office | Time in office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jaan Soots (1880–1942) | Major General1917 | 1920 | 2–3 years | |
2 | Jaan Rink (1886–1927) | Colonel28 March 1920 | October 1920 | 0 years | |
3 | Paul Lill (1882–1942) | Major General1920 | 1925 | 4–5 years | |
4 | Juhan Tõrvand (1883–1942) | Major General1925 | 1934 | 8–9 years | |
5 | Nikolai Reek (1890–1942) | Major General1937 | 1939 | 1–2 years | |
6 | Aleksander Jaakson (1892–1942) | Major General1939 | 1940 | 0–1 years | |
Vacant Soviet rule | |||||
7 | Ants Laaneots (born 1948) | Major General1991 | 1999 | 7–8 years | |
8 | Aarne Ermus (born 1966) | Lieutenant Colonel1999 | 2002 | 2–3 years | |
9 | Alar Laneman (born 1962) | Brigadier General2002 | 2006 | 3–4 years | |
10 | Neeme Väli (born 1965) | Brigadier General2007 | 2011 | 3–4 years | |
11 | Riho Terras (born 1967) | Brigadier GeneralMarch 2011 | 5 December 2011 | 0 years | |
12 | Peeter Hoppe (born 1960) | Brigadier General15 December 2011 | 8 July 2013 | 1 years | |
13 | Igor Schvede (born 1970) | Commodore2013 | 2016 | 2–3 years | |
14 | Martin Herem (born 1973) | Major General15 July 2016 | 4 December 2018 | 2 years | |
15 | Veiko-Vello Palm (born 1971) | Major General5 December 2018 | 14 June 2021 | 2 years | |
16 | Enno Mõts (born 1974) | Major General19 June 2021 | 21 June 2024 | 3 years | |
17 | Vahur Karus (born 1974) | Major General21 June 2024 | Incumbent | 0 years |
Departments
[edit]The General Department of the headquarters deals with administrative tasks. The Strategic Communication Department organizes public affairs, civil-military cooperation and information operations. The Personnel Department (J1) organizes human resources. The Operations Department (J3) is tasked with planning national defence, military operations, mobilization and readiness. The Logistics Department (J4) manages the economic activity of the Defence Forces. The Analysis and Planning Department (J5) deals with long-term planning and development of defence capabilities. The Signals Department (J6) is responsible for communication and information systems of the Defence Forces. The Training Department (J7) organizes training and exercises of the Defence Forces. The Budget and Finance Department (J8) is tasked with accounting and preparing the budget of the Defence Forces.[5]
Symbols and flags
[edit]The Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces received its flag on 29 October 2010. The flags blue field contains the emblem of the headquarters, with "KAITSEVÄE PEASTAAP" written in silver at the top, and two silver datums at the bottom - one marking the formation date and the other marking the restoration date of the headquarters. There is a small coat of arms of Estonia in the centre, which is supported by a crossed sword and staff in silver. The coat of arms is surrounded by a golden North Star, a wreath made of oak leaves, and a ribbon with the motto "VIRIBUS UNITIS". The crossed sword and staff symbolize the higher command level, the coat of arms and North Star symbolize the national level and international cooperation. The motto 'With United Forces' refers to the unity of the forces. The flag was designed by Margus Haavamägi.[7]
Building of the Headquarters
[edit]The house was built in 1925 for a military hospital. The architect was Aleksander Vladovski. As many other Vladovski's buildings, the house at 58 Juhkentali Street is designed as Neo-Classicist, with some elements of late Jugend style. The planning solution involves three wings. In the Soviet time the building also housed a military hospital. In the 1990s the plot was transferred to the Defence Forces.
References
[edit]- ^ Kaitseminister andis Kaitseväe Peastaabile lipu üle
- ^ "Kaitsevägi - Juhtimine". www.mil.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Kaitseväe põhimäärus". www.riigiteataja.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 16 July 2018.
- ^ Nõmm, Aart (2011). Noorits, Tõnu (ed.). "Teenistusest Kaitsevägede Staabis aastatel 1926-1934". Kaitseväe aastaraamat 2010 (in Estonian). Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces: 110–115. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces". mil.ee. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Kaitseväe põhimäärus". www.riigiteataja.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Kaitseminister andis kaitseväe peastaabile lipu". www.postimees.ee (in Estonian). 29 October 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
External links
[edit]- Kaitseväe Peastaabi põhimäärus (in Estonian)