Present Estonian system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used in the past in 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 E ...
. 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
The Estonian War of Independence ( et, Vabadussõda, literally "Freedom War"), also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom, against the Bolshevik westw ...
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
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
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.
Estonian Land Forces ranks and insignia
}
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2, ''
kin''
, colspan=2, ''
kin-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
kin-mjr''
, colspan=2, ''
brig-kin''
, colspan=2, ''
kol''
, colspan=2, ''
kol-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
mjr''
, colspan=2, ''
kpt''
, colspan=2, ''
ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
n-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
lpn''
, -style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2,
General
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
, colspan=2,
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
, colspan=2,
Brigadier General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
, colspan=2,
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant Colonel
, colspan=2,
Major
, colspan=2,
Captain
, colspan=2,
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment.
The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...
, colspan=2,
Second Lieutenant
, colspan=2,
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
}
, colspan=3, ''
ü-vbl''
, colspan=3, ''
st-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
v-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
n-vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
v-srs''
, colspan=2, ''
srs''
, colspan=2, ''
n-srs''
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6, ''
kpr''
, colspan=2, ''
rms''
, -style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=3,
Command Sergeant Major
, colspan=3,
Sergeant Major
Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world.
History
In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in th ...
, colspan=2,
Master Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Sergeant First Class
, colspan=6,
Staff Sergeant
, colspan=6,
Sergeant (Senior)
, colspan=2,
Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Sergeant (Junior)
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6,
Corporal
Corporal is a military rank in use in some form by many militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. The word is derived from the medieval Italian phrase ("head of a body"). The rank is usually the lowest ranking non- ...
, colspan=2,
Private
Officer candidates
Aspirants
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 sh ...
ranks and insignia
}
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2, ''
adm''
, colspan=2, ''
v-adm''
, colspan=2, ''
k-adm''
, colspan=2, ''
komd''
, colspan=2, ''
m-kpt''
, colspan=2, ''
kpt-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
kpt-mjr''
, colspan=2, ''
v-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
n-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
lpn''
, -style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2,
Admiral
, colspan=2,
Vice Admiral
, colspan=2,
Rear Admiral
, colspan=2,
Commodore
Commodore may refer to:
Ranks
* Commodore (rank), a naval rank
** Commodore (Royal Navy), in the United Kingdom
** Commodore (United States)
** Commodore (Canada)
** Commodore (Finland)
** Commodore (Germany) or ''Kommodore''
* Air commodore ...
, colspan=2,
Captain
, colspan=2,
Commander
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding ran ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant Senior Grade
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations.
The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Lieutenant junior grade is a junior commissioned officer rank used in a number of navies.
United States
Lieutenant (junior grade), commonly abbreviated as LTJG or, historically, Lt. (j.g.) (as well as variants of both abbreviations), i ...
, colspan=2,
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
}
, colspan=3, ''
ü-vbl''
, colspan=3, ''
st-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
v-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
n-vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
v-maat''
, colspan=2, ''
maat''
, colspan=2, ''
n-maat''
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6, ''
v-mdr''
, colspan=2, ''
mdr''
, -style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=3,
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
, colspan=3,
Master Chief Petty Officer
, colspan=2,
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer ''(SCPO)'' is an enlisted rank in the navies of some countries.
United States
U.S. Coast Guardsenior chiefpetty officercollar device
U.S. Coast Guardsenior chiefpetty officerinsignia
Senior chiefpetty officer ...
, colspan=2,
Chief Petty Officer 1st class
Chief petty officer, 1st class, CPO1, is the most senior non-commissioned member (NCM) rank of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). It is equivalent to a chief warrant officer (CWO) in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. It is immediately s ...
, colspan=6,
Chief Petty Officer 2nd class
Chief petty officer, 2nd class, {{sc} CPO2, is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. It is senior to the rank of petty officer 1st-class and its equivalents, and junior to chief petty officer 1st-class and its equivalents. ...
, colspan=6,
Petty Officer 1st class
, colspan=2,
Petty Officer 2nd class
, colspan=2,
Petty Officer 3rd class
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6,
Leading Seaman
Leading seaman is a junior non-commissioned rank or rate in navies, particularly those of the Commonwealth. When it is used by NATO nations, leading seaman has the rank code of OR-4. It is often equivalent to the army and air force rank of c ...
, colspan=2,
Seaman
Estonian Air Force
The Estonian Air Force ( et, Õhuvägi, ) is the aviation branch of the Estonian Defence Forces. The air force traces its history to 1918, and was re-established in its current form in 1991.
As of 2016, the Estonian Air Force has a strength of ...
ranks and insignia
}
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2, ''
kin''
, colspan=2, ''
kin-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
kin-mjr''
, colspan=2, ''
brig-kin''
, colspan=2, ''
kol''
, colspan=2, ''
kol-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
mjr''
, colspan=2, ''
kpt''
, colspan=2, ''
ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
n-ltn''
, colspan=2, ''
lpn''
, -style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=2,
, colspan=2,
General
A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
, colspan=2,
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
, colspan=2,
Brigadier General
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
, colspan=2,
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
, colspan=2,
Lieutenant Colonel
, colspan=2,
Major
, colspan=2,
Captain
, colspan=2,
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment.
The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...
, colspan=2,
Second Lieutenant
, colspan=2,
Ensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
}
, colspan=3, ''
ü-vbl''
, colspan=3, ''
st-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
v-vbl''
, colspan=2, ''
vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
n-vbl''
, colspan=6, ''
v-srs''
, colspan=2, ''
srs''
, colspan=2, ''
n-srs''
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6, ''
kpr''
, colspan=2, ''
rms''
, - style="text-align:center;"
, en,
Ranks
, colspan=3,
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (acronym: CMSAF) is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Air Force. The holder of this rank and position of office represents the highest enlisted level of leadership in the Air Force, ...
, colspan=3,
Chief Master Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Senior Master Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Master Sergeant
, colspan=6,
Technical Sergeant
Technical sergeant is the name of two current and two former enlisted ranks in the United States Armed Forces, as well as in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. Outside the United States, it is used only by the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and the ...
, colspan=6,
Staff Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Sergeant
, colspan=2,
Sergeant (Junior)
, colspan=2,
, colspan=6,
Senior Airman
, colspan=2,
Airman
An airman is a member of an air force or air arm of a nation's armed forces. In certain air forces, it can also refer to a specific enlisted rank. An airman can also be referred as a soldier in other definitions.
In civilian aviation usage, t ...
Kaitseliit staff positions and insignia
Officially abolished in 2013. Kaitseliit now uses ranks and insignia identical to the Land Forces.
}, , ''
Kaitseliidu ülem'', , ''
Kaitseliidu Peastaabi ülem'', , ''
Kaitseliidu maleva pealik'', , ''
Maleva vaneminstruktor''
, , ''
Malevkonna pealik'', , ''
Kompanii pealik'', , ''
Rühma pealik'', , ''
Rühmapealik eriüksustes'', , ''
Rühmapealiku abi'', , ''
Jaopealik'', , ''
Jaopealiku abi''
, - align="center" rowspan=2
, en,
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
See also
*
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 E ...
References
External links
Estonian Defence ForcesEstonian Ministry of Defence
{{Military ranks by country