The Guard Battalion (

Estonian Estonian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Estonia, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe * Estonians, people from Estonia, or of Estonian descent * Estonian language * Estonian cuisine * Estonian culture See also

...

: ''Vahipataljon'') is specialized unit under the

Military Police Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...

of the

Estonian Defence Forces The Estonian Defence Forces ( et, Eesti Kaitsevägi) are the unified military forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces consist of the Estonian Land Forces, the Estonian Navy, the Estonian Air Force, and the paramilitary Esto ...

, which conducts ceremonial duties and prepares

military police Military police (MP) are law enforcement agencies connected with, or part of, the military of a state. In wartime operations, the military police may support the main fighting force with force protection, convoy security, screening, rear recon ...

units. It is based in

Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju ' ...

and specialized in urban warfare. Being the capital's largest military formation, the Guard Battalion also has the duty of carrying the watch over the presidential palace and welcoming foreign diplomats and political guests.

History

1919-1940

The Guard Battalion was first created on 9 January 1919 from a battalion of the

Estonian Defense League The Estonian Defence League ( et, Eesti Kaitseliit) is the name of the unified paramilitary armed forces of the Republic of Estonia. The Defence League is a paramilitary defence organization whose aim is to guarantee the preservation of the indep ...

. It served as an auxiliary law enforcement unit in Tallinn that doubled as a ceremonial unit used at funerals and reception ceremonies for foreign guests. On 25 February, it was officially renamed to the Guard Battalion. On 1 June of the following year it was renamed to the Tallinn Single Guard Battalion. On 20 May 1939, by order of President

Konstantin Päts Konstantin Päts (; – 18 January 1956) was an Estonian statesman and the country's president in 1938–1940. Päts was one of the most influential politicians of the independent democratic Republic of Estonia, and during the two decades pri ...

, 11 January 1928 was declared to be the birthday of the unit. On 1 July 1930, the Tallinn Garrison Command and Guard Battalion were formed as an independent institution. On 19 April 1940, the battalion was approved a unit flag donated by the

Bank of Estonia Bank of Estonia ( et, Eesti Pank) is the central bank of Estonia as well as a member of the Eurosystem organisation of euro area central banks. The Bank of Estonia also belongs to the European System of Central Banks. Until 2010, the bank is ...

. After the Soviet invasion of Estonia, the unit was moved out of its barracks and phased into the 21st Rifle Regiment.

Since 1993

The modern Guard Battalion was reestablished on 22 January 1993 on the basis of the formerly Internal Defense Guard Regiment, which was previously engaged in

incarceration Imprisonment is the restraint of a person's liberty, for any cause whatsoever, whether by authority of the government, or by a person acting without such authority. In the latter case it is "false imprisonment". Imprisonment does not necessari ...

services. On 1 May 2003, a battalion known as the Single Guard was renamed the Infantry Training Center before being changed at the outset of 2009 to the Guard Battalion. Since 2014, it has been subordinated to the Sõjaväepolitsei, being part of the Northern Defense District until then. In March 2015, it moved to the

Estonian Navy The Estonian Navy ( et, Merevägi) are the unified naval forces among the Estonian Defence Forces. With only six commissioned ships and displacement well under 10,000 tonnes, the Estonian navy is one of the smallest navies in the world. Its shi ...

's Mine Harbor base.

Commanders

* Colonel Oskar Raudvere (1919–1934) * Lieutenant Colonel Jaan Junkur (1934–1939) * Lieutenant Colonel Juhan Tuuling (1939–1940) * Major Jaan Ilm (1992–1994) * Lieutenant Colonel Manivald Kasepõld (1994–1995) * Lieutenant Colonel Vahur Väljamäe (1995–1997) * Lieutenant Sander Kesküla (1997–1998) * Lieutenant Colonel

Riho Terras Riho Terras (born 17 April 1967) is an Estonian politician and a former military officer who is serving as a member of the European Parliament since 1 February 2020. He was the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces from 2011 to 2018. He w ...

(1998–2000) * Captain Madis Uibopuu (2000–2002) * Major Rene Brus (2002–2007) * Major Rasmus Lippur (2007–2009) * Major Toomas Väli (2009–2011) * Lieutenant Colonel Kalle Teras (2011–2013) * Lieutenant Colonel Kaido Sirman (2013–2015) * Major Martin Kukk (2015–2018) * Major Romet Kaevu (acting) (2018–2019) * Lieutenant Colonel Margot Künnapuu (2019–present)

Unit structure

Estonian Guard Battalion on parade-902227

* Headquarters * 2 Military Police Companies * Staff and Support Center Almost 300 conscripts are serving in the battalion every year. It is the only unit with conscripts in a military police role in the Estonian Defense Forces.

Garrison

In 2015, the battalion was moved from its old base to the base of the

. The old premises in suburbs of

was sold together with the old barracks of Logistics Battalion. Since then, the Guard Battalion has been in excellent living conditions for conscripts in renovated historical barracks. However, the unit has a lack of training facilities because it is far away from shooting ranges and training grounds. Conscripts of the Estonian Navy live in the same barracks.

Notable members

Uku Suviste Uku Suviste (born 6 June 1982) is an Estonian singer-songwriter, pianist and music producer. He was scheduled to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, before cancellation of the competition that year. ...

, representative of

Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 Estonia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "What Love Is" written by Uku Suviste and Sharon Vaughn. The song was performed by Uku Suviste. The Estonian broadcaster (ERR) organised the national fina ...

. *

Risto Lumi Risto Lumi (born on 17 May 1971 in Tallinn) is an Estonian military personnel (Lieutenant Colonel). From 2006-2008 he was the commander of Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces' intelligence department. From 2008-2011 he was Estonian Militar ...

, a former commander of the Intelligence Department of the

Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces 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. Its main tasks include supporting the activities of the Commander and Deputy Comm ...

. *Denis Metsavas, Russian-Estonian soldier and GRU agent convicted of treason.

Gallery

File:Tallinn Digital Summit. Meeting of Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and French President Emmanuel Macron (37374356011).jpg, File:Tallinn Digital Summit. Meeting of Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and French President Emmanuel Macron (23522646398).jpg, File:GW Bush, TH Ilves 2006.jpg, File:Ministru prezidents Valdis Dombrovskis vēro Nacionālo bruņoto spēku vienību militāro parādi 11.novembra krastmalā (8195456051).jpg, File:European Council President Donald Tusk meets with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid IMGL3823 (35238112150).jpg,

References

External links

* {{Estonian Military 1919 establishments in Estonia Military units and formations established in 1919 Battalions of Estonia Organizations based in Tallinn Guards of honour