Estonian Defence Forces military oath

Last updated

Military oath in the Estonian Defence Forces is taken by conscripts or professional soldiers in the end of their basic training (10 weeks). [1] The oath is also given by volunteers of the Estonian Defence League, when they complete their basic training (5 weekends). [2]

Contents

The oath ceremony is held either at the garrison or in another symbolic place, for example the Guard Battalion gives their oath in location of the Battle of Sõjamäe. The relatives of the conscript's are usually invited to attend the ceremony. [3] The person taking the oath of serviceman has to sign the text of the oath, noting also the date of taking the oath. [4]

Current oath and affirmation text

Estonian text

Mina, (ees- ja perekonnanimi), tõotan jääda ustavaks demokraatlikule Eesti Vabariigile ja tema põhiseaduslikule korrale, kaitsta Eesti Vabariiki vaenlase vastu kogu oma mõistuse ja jõuga, olla valmis ohverdama oma elu isamaa eest, pidada kinni kaitseväe distsipliinist ning täpselt ja vastuvaidlematult täita kõiki oma kohustusi, pidades meeles, et vastasel korral seadus mind rangelt karistab. [4]

English translation

I, (given name and surname), swear to remain faithful to the democratic Republic of Estonia and its constitutional order, to defend the Republic of Estonia against enemies with all my reason and strength, to be ready to sacrifice my life for the fatherland, to observe the discipline of the Defence Forces, and to perform all my duties precisely and unquestioningly, bearing in mind that otherwise I will be strictly punished by law. [4]

Oath in 1922-1940

Estonian text

Mina tõotan ustavaks jääda Eesti demokraatlikule Vabariigile ja tema seaduslikule valitsusele, kaitsta Eesti Vabariiki vaenlaste vastu kõige oma mõistuse ja jõuga, igal ajal valmis olles lahingutes langenud kangelaste eeskujul riigi kasuks oma elu ohverdama, kindlasti pidada sõjaväe distsipliini ja tõrkumata ning täpipealt täita kõiki oma kohuseid, meeles pidades, et vastasel korral seadus mind raskesti karistab. [5]

English translation

I swear to remain faithful to the democratic Republic of Estonia and its legitimate government, to defend the Republic of Estonia against enemies with all my reason and strength, to be ready at all times to sacrifice my life for the good of the country, following the example of the heroes who have fallen in battle, to observe strict military discipline and to perform all my duties without reluctance and to the letter, bearing in mind that otherwise I will be severely punished by the law.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narva</span> City in Estonia

Narva is a municipality and city in Estonia. It is located in the Ida-Viru County, at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, on the west bank of the Narva river which forms the Estonia–Russia international border. With 53,626 inhabitants Narva is Estonia's third largest city after capital Tallinn and Tartu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tapa, Estonia</span> Town in Estonia

Tapa is a town in Tapa Parish, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia, located at the junction of the country's Tallinn–Narva (west–east) and Tallinn–Tartu–Valga (north–south) railway lines. Tapa has the Estonian Defense Forces nearby Keskpolügoon. The Valgejõgi River passes Tapa on its northeastern side. Tapa has been known as both a railway and a military town throughout its history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Estonia</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in Estonia have advanced significantly over the course of the last few decades, especially since the turn of the 21st century. Among the countries which after World War II were controlled by the former Soviet Union, independent Estonia is now considered to be one of the most liberal when it comes to LGBTQ rights. There is a notable age gap, as younger people tend to be more tolerant and liberal, while older people tend to be more socially conservative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paldiski</span> Town in Estonia

Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port located on the Pakri Peninsula in northwestern Estonia. Originally established as a small Swedish port known as Rågervik, it evolved into an important ice-free port upon being incorporated into the Russian Empire in the 18th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian Scout Association</span> National Scouting organization in Estonia

Estonian Scout Association is the primary national Scouting organization of Estonia, became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1996. The coeducational Eesti Skautide Ühing has 1,337 members as of 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo Kunnas</span> Estonian military personnel and writer

Leo Kunnas is an Estonian former military officer and a science fiction writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Defence (Estonia)</span> Government ministry of Estonia

The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia and its head, the Minister of Defence, are responsible for organizing national defence. It is Estonia's ministry of defence. The mission of the Ministry of Defence is to deter attacks against Estonia and ensure that the country is capable of defending itself against external threats. Estonian national defence is based on initial self-defence capability as well as membership in NATO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian Border Guard</span> Government agency of Estonia

The Estonian Border Guard was the national security agency responsible for the border security of Estonia. It was subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. The Border Guard also assisted with Search and Rescue missions. In 2010, the organization was superseded by the Police and Border Guard Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Estonian Defence Forces</span> Armed forces of Estonia

The Estonian Defence Forces is the unified military force of the Republic of Estonia. The Estonian Defence Forces consists of the Estonian Land Forces, the Estonian Navy, the Estonian Air Force, and the paramilitary Estonian Defence League. The national defence policy aims to guarantee the preservation of the independence and sovereignty of the state and maintain the integrity of its land area, territorial waters, airspace, and constitutional order. Its main goals remain the development and maintenance of a credible capability to defend the nation's vital interests and of the defence forces in a way that ensures their interoperability with the armed forces of NATO and European Union member states in order to participate in the full range of missions for these military alliances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Björneborgarnas marsch</span> Finnish musical work

Björneborgarnas marsch is a Swedish military march from the 18th century. Today, it is mainly performed in Finland and Estonia and has served as the honorary march of the Finnish Defence Forces since 1918 and is the Estonian Defence Forces' official honorary march.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guard Battalion (Estonia)</span> Estonian specialized unit

The Military Police Guard Battalion, or simply Guard Battalion is specialized unit under the Military Police of the Estonian Defence Forces, which conducts ceremonial duties and prepares military police units. It is based in Paldiski and specialized in urban warfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouts Battalion</span> Estonian military unit

The Scouts Battalion is a battalion of the Estonian Land Forces. It is a part of the 1st Infantry Brigade and acts as its rapid response unit. The battalion is currently based at Tapa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riho Terras</span> Estonian politician and military officer (born 1967)

Riho Terras 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 was promoted to general in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finnish Defence Forces military oath</span>

Military oath in the Finnish Defence Forces is taken by conscripts on a legal basis in the beginning of their military service. If the conscript is unwilling to take the oath, another option is to take the military affirmation. Before the conscript is to take the oath, he must be briefed on the rights and responsibilities of a soldier, as well as on the meaning of the oath. The oath is administered by the unit's commanding officer and in the presence of the unit's flag. The military oath used to be available only to members of the church, however, current legislation no longer makes such a distinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riho Ühtegi</span> Estonian major general (born 1964)

Riho Ühtegi is an Estonian major general. He has been the Commander of the Estonian Special Operations Force. Since 2019, he is the commander of the Estonian Defence League.

Hugo Jakob Kuusner was an Estonian jurist and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer War</span> 1941 battle of World War II during the Operation Barbarossa

The Summer War was the occupation of Estonia during the Second World War. It was fought between the Forest Brothers (Metsavennad), the Omakaitse, and the Wehrmacht's 18th Army against the forces of the 8th Army of the USSR and the NKVD.

An indirect election took place in Estonia on 30 and 31 August 2021 to elect the president of Estonia, who is the country's head of state. The Riigikogu — the Parliament of Estonia — elected Alar Karis to serve in the office and he was sworn in as the 6th president on 11 October 2021. The incumbent, Kersti Kaljulaid, was eligible to seek reelection to a second, and final, term but failed to gain the endorsement of at least 21 MPs, which is required in order for a candidate to register, as she was outspoken against some of the policies of the government, who thus denied her support.

References

  1. ↑ "Ligi 1000 ajateenijat lõpetasid sõduri baaskursuse ja annavad sõdurivande". Estonian Defence Forces . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Lääne malevas algas sõdurioskuste baaskursus". Estonian Defence League . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Galerii: Vahipataljoni noorsõdurid andsid sõdurivande". Postimees . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "Military Service Act". Riigi Teataja . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  5. ↑ https://dea.digar.ee/?a=d&d=AKriigiteataja19221114.2.3.1 Seadlus sõjaväe seadluste kogu VI raamatu § 6 lisa II, III ja IV muutmise kohta (RT 1922, 139)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.