Military ranks of Estonia

Present Estonian system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used in the past in the Estonian Defence Forces. Some of the grades trace their name back to the period of World Wars, for instance, the rank of aspirant literally means an officer in training in military academies or voluntaries, serving as temporary officers.

Most of the Estonian Army ranks were established during the Estonian War of Independence and in the 1920s. These include the rank of kapral, which is a derivate of Italian caporale – much like the English equivalent of corporal. After the Soviet occupation ended in 1991, a new rank was established, creating for the first time a brigadier general rank in the armed forces of Estonia. In Estonia, rank insignia is worn on the chest. Estonian Junior NCOs are considered as a rank of a conscript NCO or NCO in reserve. In full-time service, junior sergeants and petty officers 3rd class are filling in various soldier positions, and naval ratings and are not taken as NCOs.

## Commissioned officer ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Estonian Land Forces[1]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Kindral | Kindralleitnant | Kindralmajor | Brigaadikindral | Kolonel | Kolonelleitnant | Major | Kapten | Leitnant | Nooremleitnant | Lipnik
Estonian Navy[2]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Admiral | Viitseadmiral | Kontradmiral | Kommodoor | Mereväekapten | Kaptenleitnant | Kaptenmajor | Vanemleitnant | Leitnant | Nooremleitnant | Lipnik
Estonian Air Force[3]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Kindral | Kindralleitnant | Kindralmajor | Brigaadikindral | Kolonel | Kolonelleitnant | Major | Kapten | Leitnant | Nooremleitnant | Lipnik
NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1

### Student officer ranks

[edit]

Rank group | Officer candidates | Student officers

|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
3\. õppeaasta kadett-veebel | 2\. õppeaasta kadett-veebel | 3\. õppeaasta kadett-seersant | 2\. õppeaasta kadett-seersant | 1\. õppeaasta kadett-seersant | 3\. õppeaasta kadett | 2\. õppeaasta kadett | 1\. õppeaasta kadett | 1\. semestri noorkadett

## Other ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Estonian Land Forces[1]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ülemveebel | Staabiveebel | Vanemveebel | Veebel | Nooremveebel | Vanemseersant | Seersant | Nooremseersant | Kapral | Reamees
Estonian Navy[2]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ülemveebel | Staabiveebel | Vanemveebel | Veebel | Nooremveebel | Vanemmaat | Maat | Nooremmaat | Vanemmadrus | Madrus
Estonian Air Force[3]

* v
* t
* e

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ülemveebel | Staabiveebel | Vanemveebel | Veebel | Nooremveebel | Vanemseersant | Seersant | Nooremseersant | Kapral | Reamees
NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1

### Reserve ranks

[edit]

Rank group | Reserve

|

|  |
Ajateenijate reservrühmaülema kursuse lõpetanu | Ajateenijate reservrühmaülema kursusel õppija

## Historical Estonian Defence League insignia

[edit]

The separate rank system used for the Estonian Defence League was officially abolished in 2013, and it now uses ranks and insignia identical to the Land Forces.[4]

Rank group | Higher and staff positions | Senior field positions | Junior field positions

|
|
|

Estonian Defence League |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Kaitseliidu ülem | Kaitseliidu Peastaabi ülem | Kaitseliidu maleva pealik | Maleva vaneminstruktor | Malevkonna pealik | Kompanii pealik | Rühma pealik | Rühmapealik eriüksustes | Rühmapealiku abi | Jaopealik | Jaopealiku abi
Positions  | Commander | Chief of Staff | Chief of Malev | Senior instructor | Chief of Malevkond | Chief of Company | Platoon commander | Platoon commander
in special forces | Assistant platoon commander | Section commander | Assistant section commander

## Historic ranks

[edit]

### Commissioned officer ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group  | General / flag officers  | Senior officers  | Junior officers

|
|
|

Estonian Land Forces
(1936–1940)[5] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Kindral | Kindralleitnant | Kindralmajor | Kolonel | Kolonelleitnant | Major | Kapten | Leitnant | Nooremleitnant | Lipnik

## See also

[edit]

* Estonian Defence Forces

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Sümboolika: Maaväe Auastmed". mil.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
2. ^ a b "Sümboolika: Mereväe Auastmed". mil.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
3. ^ a b "Sümboolika: Õhuväe Auastmed". mil.ee (in Estonian). Estonian Defence Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
4. ^ "Kaitseliidu eraldusmärgid" (in Estonian). Riigi Teataja.
5. ^ "Estonian Army & Navy Ranks 1936-1940". 25 January 2005. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Estonian Defence Forces
* Estonian Ministry of Defence

* v
* t
* e

Estonia articles

History|

* Timeline
* list of wars
* Ancient Estonia
* Livonian Crusade
* Danish Estonia
* German Bishoprics
* Livonian Order
* Baltic Germans
* Livonian War
* Polish Livonia
* Swedish Estonia
* Great Northern War
* Russian Estonia
* Russian Livonia
* Age of Awakening
* German occupation
* Declaration of Independence
* War of Independence
* Battle of Võnnu
* Interwar period
* Era of Silence
* Occupation of Estonia
* Estonian SSR
* World War II
* Guerrilla war
* Ants Kaljurand
* Estonian partisans
* Deportations

* Government-in-exile
* Singing Revolution
* Declaration of sovereignty
* Restoration of independence

Geography|

* Climate
* Extreme points
* Fauna
* Islands
* Lakes
* Populated places
* Protected areas
* Rivers
* Towns

Politics|

* Administrative divisions
* Constitution
* Elections
* Foreign relations
* Government
* Human rights
* LGBT
* Law
* Law enforcement
* Military
* Political parties
* President
* Prime Minister
* Riigikogu (parliament)
* Supreme Court

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Central bank
* e-Residency
* Energy
* Oil shale
* Stock exchange
* Taxation
* Telecommunications
* Tourism
* Transport

Society|

* Crime
* Demographics
* Education
* Estonians
* Estonian language
* Ethnic groups
* Healthcare
* Religion
* Women

Culture|

* Anthem
* Architecture
* Beer
* Cinema
* Coat of arms
* Cuisine
* Estonian names
* Flags
* Folklore
* Internet
* Languages
* Literature
* ABD
* Kalevipoeg
* Media
* Music
* Mythology
* Name
* Symbols
* Newspapers
* Public holidays
* Radio
* Sport
* Television
* Theatre

* Outline
* Index

* Category
* Portal

* v
* t
* e

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Symbols|

* Animus in consulendo liber
* Flag of NATO
* "The NATO Hymn"
* NATO Day
* NATO Medal
* NATO Star

History|

* North Atlantic Treaty
* Summits
* Operations
* List of exercises
* Enlargement
* potential withdrawal
* Opposition to NATO
* .nato Internet domain

Structure|

* NATO headquarters
* Council
* International Staff
* International Military Staff
* Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
* Air Command
* Land Command
* Maritime Command
* JFC Brunssum
* JFC Naples
* JFC Norfolk
* Joint Support and Enabling Command
* STRIKFORNATO
* SHAPE International Band
* Allied Command Transformation
* Parliamentary Assembly
* Standardization agreement

People|

* Secretary General
* Chair of the Military Committee
* Supreme Allied Commander Europe
* Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

Members|

* Albania
* Belgium
* Bulgaria
* Canada
* Croatia
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Italy
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Turkey
* United Kingdom
* United States

Multilateral relations|

* Atlantic Treaty Association
* Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
* Mediterranean Dialogue
* Individual Partnership Action Plan
* Indo-Pacific Four
* Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
* Major non-NATO ally
* NATO global partners
* Open door policy
* Partnership for Peace
* Relationship with the European Union
* Relationship with Russia
* eastward NATO expansion issues
* Relationship with Ukraine
* Science for Peace and Security (SPS)

See also|

* Baghdad Pact (METO/CENTO)
* Balkan Pact
* Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
* Suwałki Gap

* v
* t
* e

Military ranks and insignia by country

* List of comparative military ranks

Africa|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* DR Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with
limited recognition|

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* Somaliland

Former|

* People's Republic of Angola
* Biafra
* Bophuthatswana
* Ciskei
* Kingdom of Egypt
* Ethiopian Empire
* Katanga
* People's Republic of Mozambique
* Rhodesia
* South West Africa
* Transkei
* Venda
* Zaire

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Apartheid States in Southern Africa

Americas|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Jamaica
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Suriname
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Enlisted:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Other:
* Marine Corps
* Space Force
* Warrant officer
* Opposing forces
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Former|

* Canada (pre-Unification)
* Confederate States of America
* Union
* Army
* Navy
* Costa Rica
* Republic of Cuba
* Empire of Brazil
* Panama
* Republic of Texas
* Army
* Navy
* United States Army enlisted
* World War I
* World War II

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Asia|

* Afghanistan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* PR of China
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Rocket Force
* Armed Police
* India
* Army
* Air Force
* Navy
* Coast Guard
* Border Roads Organisation
* Paramilitary forces
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Korea
* North
* South
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Marines
* Civil Armed Forces
* Maritime Security Agency
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan (Republic of China)

Former|

* Artsakh
* China
* Empire
* Republic (1912–1949)
* Dutch East Indies
* East Turkestan (Second Republic)
* People's Republic of Kampuchea
* Imperial Iran
* Imperial Japan
* Army
* Navy
* Korea
* Empire
* Liberation Army
* Kingdom of Laos
* Manchukuo
* Mengjiang
* Mongolian People's Republic
* Vietnam
* State
* South
* South Yemen
* Tibet
* Tuva

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Europe|

* Albania
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Home Guard
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Army
* Navy
* Gendarmerie
* Air and Space Force
* Foresters
* Germany
* Georgia
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Land Forces
* Coast Guard
* Ireland
* Italy
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Carabinieri
* Finance Guard
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* North Macedonia
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Cossacks
* Between 1994 and 2010
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Other:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Vatican

States with
limited recognition|

* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* Transnistria

Former|

* Albania
* Kingdom
* People's Socialist Republic
* Austria–Hungary
* Army
* Navy
* Bulgaria
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Independent State of Croatia
* Czechoslovakia
* German Empire
* Weimar Republic
* Nazi Germany
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* East Germany
* Kingdom of Greece
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* France
* Napoleonic Grand Army
* Hungary
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Italy
* Kingdom
* Social Republic
* Ottoman Empire
* Polish People's Republic
* Republika Srpska
* Romania
* Kingdom
* Socialist Republic
* Russian Empire
* White Movement
* Slovakia (First Republic)
* Soviet Union
* 1918–35
* 1935–40
* 1940–43
* 1943–55
* 1955–91
* Spain
* 2nd Republic
* State
* Yugoslavia
* Kingdom
* Socialist Federal Republic
* Federal Republic

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Tonga
* Vanuatu

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Language|

| Anglophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

|

Arabophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Francophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Gendarmerie
* Officers
* Enlisted

Hispanophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Lusophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Military police
* Officers
* Enlisted

Post-Soviet states|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Commonwealth of Nations|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

European Union|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

NATO|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air Force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Comparative ranks of

* Star ranking
* WWI
* Officers
* WWII
* Officers
* Women's services
* Marine forces
* Space forces
* Gendarmeries
* UK and US

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template