News

National events

Estonian Reserve Officers acknowledged Country’s best active Servicemen

Lieutenant Commander Ingrid Mühling, Estonian Defence Forces/CIOR Public Affairs 20.01.2022

Towards the end of last year, Estonian reserve officers acknowledged the countrys defence forces’ best service members with the Officer of the Year and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year awards.  

By: Lieutenant Commander Ingrid Mühling, Estonian Defence Forces/CIOR Public Affairs

The prizes were awarded to Major Viljar Niinepuu and Sergeant Major Ivo Petjärv. Major Niinepuu has served in the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) since 2004, and has contributed considerably to officers’ education at the Estonian Military Academy; Sergeant Major Petjärv joined EDF in 1999, and has served in numerous international military operations, as well as developed a veterans’ support system.

Photo: Reserve officers Major Seli and Lieutenant Colonel Luman, together with Lieutenant General Herem, giving the award to Sergeant Major Petjärv.

By tradition, the awards were handed out on EDF´s anniversary date in November. Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Martin Herem, presided over the ceremony, joined by other general and flag officers of EDF.

Reserve officer initiative from 2004

The National Defence Foundation was established in 2004 by reserve officers who are also members of the Chamber of Commerce, to support the country’s defence forces and recognise outstanding servicemen.

Lieutenant Colonel Toomas Luman speaking at the award ceremony.

– Outstanding role models

Lieutenant Colonel Toomas Luman – founder of the National Defence Foundation and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, said that Major Niinepuu and Sergeant Major Petjärv are both excellent service members and outstanding role models.

– Their exceptional service and continuous desire to learn has inspired both military and civilian colleagues, students and everybody who has worked together with them, Luman said.

All candidates to the reward were nominated by their units, and the winners were selected by a board consisting of some of the country’s most respected officers and NCOs.

The National Defence Foundation is the oldest and largest private initiative to support the military structures of Estonia. Besides recognising the best servicemen, the foundation has donated computers and IT-equipment to EDF, and supported IT- training of service members and volunteers.

This was the 15th time the prizes for best officer and NCO were awarded.

Officer of the year, Major Viljar Neenepuu, receives the award from the Estonian Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Martin Herem.

Similar news

All news

One year of war in Ukraine, 105 years of Independent Estonian Republic

  February 24th was the 105th anniversary of Estonian Republic. The same day marks one year of Russia´s illegal aggression against Ukraine. President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen  and Secretary General of NATO and Jens Stoltenberg  visited Tallinn...

Estonian Defense Forces commander warns about the next phase of Russian aggression

MARTIN HEREM: Russia’s defeat in Ukraine would not put an end to the danger that lurks us. “We have no right to underestimate Russia’s aggressiveness in the future, and there is also no reason to think that the defeat of the Russians in Ukraine would...

Reservists from Denmark, Estonia, Canada and Latvia train at NATO exercise

Reserve officers and NCOs from Denmark, Estonia, Canada and Latvia take part of the exercise Knight Lion 22 from 16 to 25 November in Adazi military base, Latvia. “ Reserves are playing a very important role in manning the headquarters of the Multinational Division...

CIOR´s incoming presidential team visits NATO HQ

The Estonian Reserve Officers Association´s team is preparing to take over the CIOR presidency in early August, at the Athens Summer Congress. A part of that is to get familiarised with NATO headquarters. By: Lieutenant Commander Ingrid Mühling, Estonian Defence...

Ukraine: Estonian reserve officers raise € 1 154 564

**** UPDATE: As of 11th of March, € 1 154 564 euros have been raised **** Estonian reserve officers have raised over 700 000 euros to support wounded Ukrainian soldiers and help them get medical care. 

Estonian Reserve Officers prepare for Presidency from 2022

The Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), Major General Martin Herem and the Chairman of the Reserve Officers´ Association, Major (R) Andre Lilleleht, have signed the cooperation agreement that will set down main support lines provided by EDF to the Estonian...

Back to top