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 in most cases 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.

[Estonian Land Forces] ranks and insignia

Officer candidates

Aspirants

[Estonian Navy] ranks and insignia

[Estonian Air Force] ranks and insignia

[Kaitseliit] staff positions and insignia