Young Eagles of Estonia () is a patriotic youth paramilitary organization in

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, a ...

, established in 1930. It is not a defence organisation.

Organisation and Membership

Although sponsored by the

Estonian Defence 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 A paramilitary is an organization whose structure, tactics, training, ...

and having many members wearing military camouflage uniforms, the Young Eagles is not a defence organisation (or a part of the

Estonian military 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 Es ...

). However many of the organization's adult leaders have a military background and members do participate with the volunteer or regular forces on some occasions. Young Eagles accepts (drugs-, smoking- and alcohol free) boys from 7 to 19 years of age and adult leaders from 18 years. There are total about 3000 members in regional units throughout the country. The 15

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...

-size regional units ''(Estonian: malev)'' consist of separate platoons and sometimes company-sized subunits ''(Estonian: malevkond)''. Platoons are mostly called by the name of the place in which they are based; those attached to schools may use the name of the school. The headquarters of the organisation is located 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 ' ...

Toompea street 8.

Activities

The objective of the organisation is to raise young people as good citizens with healthy bodies and minds. Traditional scouting method is used sometimes. Activities include: *formation drills, *

first aid First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery. It includes initial in ...

, *

orienteering Orienteering is a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a s ...

, *shooting

firearm A firearm is any type of gun designed to be readily carried and used by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see Legal definitions). The first firearms originated in 10th-century China, when bamboo tubes ...

s, *

airsoft Airsoft is a team game in which participants eliminate opposing players by tag (game), tagging them out of play with airsoft pellets, spherical plastic projectiles shot with mock air gun, air weapons(usually powered by an electronic motor) call ...

and field skills, *

hiking Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century.AMATO, JOSEPH A. "Mind over Foot: Romantic Walking and Rambling." In ''On Foot: A Histor ...

The organization also participates in numerous events, camps and competitions. The most well known but also the most difficult is the Mini-Erna reconnaissance competition (30–50 km). Some junior and adult members also undergo leadership training.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Youth organizations based in Estonia Military of Estonia

Organisation and Membership

Activities

See also

References

External links