Riho Terras

Last updated

Riho Terras
MEP
1649592035853 20200203 TERRAS Riho EE 011.jpg
Official portrait, 2024
Member of the European Parliament
for Estonia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 February 2020
Personal details
Born (1967-04-17) 17 April 1967 (age 57)
Kohtla-Järve, Estonia
Political party Isamaa
Alma mater University of Tartu
Bundeswehr University Munich
Military service
AllegianceFlag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
Branch/service EKV coat of arms.svg Estonian Defence Forces
Years of service1991–2018
Rank General
Battles/wars Iraq War

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 was promoted to general in 2017. [1]

Contents

He was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019 and took his seat after Brexit. [2]

Early life and career

He was born on April 17, 1967 in the city of Kohtla-Jarve in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. Terras graduated in 1985 from Kohtla-Järve 5th Middle School. In his youth, Terras was conscripted as a sailor in the Soviet Navy, serving with the Northern Fleet on the frigate Zadornyy. He later studied history at University of Tartu, during which he also became a member of the Estonian Defence League. He joined Johannes Kert in the defence of radio and television buildings in Tallinn during the 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt. Due to a lack of personnel in the Defence League, he decided to join a course for reserve officers, where he studied alongside Leo Kunnas. He was soon persuaded by Ants Laaneots to become a member of the Estonian Defence Forces. In 1994 he started studying at the Bundeswehr University Munich, where he received a master's degree in Political Science and Sociology. Thus he picked up where he had left off in his education after his time at the University of Tartu.

Military career

His military education includes studies in the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom, the Joint Command and General Staff Course in the Baltic Defence College, the European Security. Policy Course in the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, a Battalion Commander's Course in Switzerland, a Company Commander's course in Germany, a Company Commander's course in Sweden and the Officer's Basic course in Estonia. Terras's civilian education includes history studies in the University of Tartu, and a master's degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Bundeswehr. [3]

After graduating from the Basic Officer's Course in Estonia, Terras served as a Company Commander and as a Battalion Second in Command of the Kalev Single Infantry Battalion from 1992 to 1993. Between 1993 and 1994 Terras served as the commander of the Põhja Single Infantry Company. After graduating from the Bundeswehr University (Germany) he served as the commander of the Guard Battalion from 1998 to 2000. Terras was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Defence League Headquarters in 2000. From 2001 to 2004 he served as the Estonian Defence Attaché in Germany and Poland. Between 2005 and 2008 Terras served as the Chief of the Analysis and Planning Department and as Chief of the Planning Section, Analysis and Planning Department in the Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters. In 2007, Terras served in the NATO Training Mission - Iraq as Deputy Chief of Staff. Riho Terras was confirmed in December 2008 as Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence. Before taking up the position of the Permanent Secretary, he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the Estonian Defence Forces. Terras served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Estonian Defence forces from January 2011 to March 2011 and then continued his service as the Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces. Terras was appointed the Chief of Defence from 5 December 2011 [3]

Education

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
InsigniaRankDate
ES-Army-OF1b.svg Second Lieutenant February 1992
ES-Army-OF13.svg First Lieutenant 23 November 1993 [4]
ES-Army-OF14.svg Captain 20 June 1996 [5]
Estonia-Army-OF-3.svg Major 18 February 2000 [6]
ES-Army-OF4.png Lieutenant Colonel 20 June 2005 [7]
ES-Army-OF5.png Colonel 1 December 2008 [8]
ES-Army-OF6.png Brigadier General 16 June 2011 [9]
ES-Army-OF7.png Major General 18 February 2013 [10]
ES-Army-OF8.png Lieutenant General  5 February 2015 [11]
ES-Army-OF9.png General  20 February 2017 [12]

Assignment History

FromToAssignments
March 1992November 1992Company Commander, Kalev Infantry Battalion, Estonian Land Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
November 1992November 1993Battalion Second in Command, Kalev Infantry Battalion, Estonian Land Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
December 1993January 1994Commander, Põhja Single Infantry Company, Estonian Land Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
May 1998January 2000Commander, Guard Battalion (Estonia), Estonian Land Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
January 2000December 2000Chief of Staff, Estonian Defence League
December 2000July 2004Estonian Defence Attaché in Germany and Poland
August 2005January 2006Chief of the Planning Section, Analysis and Planning Department, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
January 2006January 2007Chief of the Analysis and Planning Department, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
February 2007September 2007Deputy Chief of Staff, NATO Training Mission – Iraq
September 2007February 2008Chief of the Analysis and Planning Department, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
February 2008November 2008Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
December 2008December 2010Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence (Estonia)
January 2011February 2011Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
18 February 20114 December 2011Chief of Staff, General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces
5 December 20115 December 2018 Commander of the Defence Forces, Estonia Defence Forces

Awards, decorations, and recognition

Awards and decorations

Estonian Awards and decorations
EST Order of the Cross of the Eagle 1st Class BAR.png 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle 5 February 2018 [13]
EST Order of the Cross of the Eagle 4th Class BAR.png 4th Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle 23 February 2005 [14]
EST White Cross of the Estonian Defence League (III class).png White Cross of the Estonian Defence League (III class)
EST Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence ribbon.svg The First Class of the Cross of Merit of the Estonian Ministry of Defence28 November 2018 [15]
EST Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence ribbon.svg Ministry of Defence Cross of Merit 2nd Class
EST Distinguished Service Decoration of the EDF.png Distinguished Service Decoration of the EDF22 February 1999
EST Navy decoration " Belief and the Will " Class III " Bronze Anchor ".png Navy decoration " Belief and the Will " Class III " Bronze Anchor "
EST Distinguished Service Decoration of the Estonian Defence League.png Distinguished Service Decoration of the Estonian Defence League
EST Estonian Defence Forces General Staff Cross of Merit.png Estonian Defence Forces General Staff Cross of Merit
EST MoD Medal of Participants in International Military Operations.png MoD Medal of Participants in International Military Operations
EST Merit Medal of the Defence League III Class.png Merit Medal of the Defence League III Class
EST Memorial Medal 10 Years of the Re-Established Defence Forces.png Memorial Medal "10 Years of the Re-Established Defence Forces"
EST Voidutule kandja medal.png Victory Fire Carrier Medal
EST Distinguished Service Decoration of the Information Board (II class).png Distinguished Service Decoration of the Information Board (II class)
LT-LV-EE The Baltic Defence College Medal of Merit (gold).png The Baltic Defence College Medal of Merit (gold)
EST Politsei teeneteristi II klass.png Police Cross of Merit 2nd class2017
EST Kaitseliidu Kooli eriteeneterist.png Special Service Cross of Estonian Defence League School
EST Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers' Assembly (special).png Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (special)29 November 2019 [16]
EST Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers' Assembly (gold).png Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (gold)4 December 2018 [17]
EST Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers' Assembly (silver).png Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (silver)12 June 2001 [18]
Foreign Awards
US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png Commander Degree of the Legion of Merit 13 November 2018 (USA) [19]
Den kongelige norske fortjenstorden kommandor med stjerne stripe.svg Commander with Star of the Norwegian Order of Merit 10 September 2015 (Norway) [20]
FIN Order of the Lion of Finland 1Class BAR.png Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland 13 May 2014 (Finland) [21]
POL Order Zaslugi RP kl3 BAR.png Commandery of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland 18 March 2014 (Poland) [22]
Legion Honneur Officier ribbon.svg Officier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour 4 September 2013 (France) [23]
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 5 GrVK Stern.svg Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 9 July 2013 (Germany) [24]
LVA Order of Viesturs (swords).png 1st Class of the Order of Viesturs 5 June 2012 (Latvia) [25]
GER Bundeswehr Honour Cross Gold ribbon.svg Gold Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr 20 April 2011 (Germany) [26]
NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg NATO Medal for the NATO Training Mission in Iraq
FIN Merit Medal of the Finnish Reserve Officers' Federation.png Merit Medal of the Finnish Reserve Officers' Federation
SWE OSMTH Grand Priory of Scandinavia Pro Merito medal.png OSMTH Grand Priory of Scandinavia Pro Merito medal
Badges
BaltDefCol Joint Command and General Staff Course Badge.png BaltDefCol Joint Command and General Staff Course Badge
Balti Kaitsekolledzi uhendtaseme juhtimis- ja staabikursuse lopetanu rinnamark (varasem).png Baltic Defence College Joint Command and General Staff Course graduate Badge
EST Ohvitseride kursuse lopetanu rinnamark (1992-1996).png Basic Officer’s Course graduate Badge
EST Vahipataljoni teenetemark.png The Order of Merit of Guard Battalion
EST Luurekeskuse teenetemark.png The Order of Merit of the Intelligence Center
EST Kaitseliidu Tallinna maleva 10 aasta teenistuse mark.png 10 year service badge of Defense League unit in Tallinn

Personal

General Joseph Dunford with General Terras during a full honor arrival ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, 13 November 2018. Joseph Dunford and Riho Terras 181113-D-PB383-022 (32007869698).jpg
General Joseph Dunford with General Terras during a full honor arrival ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, 13 November 2018.

In addition to the Estonian language Terras is fluent in English, German and Russian. He is married with two sons. His wife Kaili is an Ambassador-at-large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Education. [27] His eldest son, politician Hendrik Johannes Terras, was named in honor of Johannes Kert and his younger offspring is named after the Estonian god of weather and harvest Uku. His hobbies include opera, medieval history and hunting. [28] [29]

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References

  1. ↑ "President ülendas Tsahkna ettepanekul Terrase kindraliks". ERR. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Eestist valitud Euroopa Parlamendi liikmed on teada". Pärnu Postimees (in Estonian). 27 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 Official Biography, www.mil.ee
  4. ↑ "18. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 18 November 1993. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "74. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 20 June 1996. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "89. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 18 February 2000. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine 20.06.2005". Riigi Teataja. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "76. R. Terrasele sõjaväelise auastme andmine". Office of the President. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Riigi Teataja. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "28. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "79. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "13. R. Terrasele sõjaväelise auastme andmine". Office of the President. 20 February 2017.
  13. ↑ "President Kersti Kaljulaid tunnustas teenetemärkidega Eesti eredaimaid teenäitajaid". Postimees. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  14. ↑ "4th Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Outgoing defence chief Gen. Riho Terras bestowed Cross of Merit, 1st Class". ERR. 29 November 2018.
  16. ↑ "EROK teeneteristi kavalerid". Eesti Reservohvitseride Kogu. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "EROK teeneteristi kavalerid". Eesti Reservohvitseride Kogu. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "EROK teeneteristi kavalerid". Eesti Reservohvitseride Kogu. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Meeting with Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Gen. Riho Terras". www.jcs.mil. 13 November 2018.
  20. ↑ "Grand Cross of the Norwegian Order of Merit". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Commandery of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "Sandor Liive ja Riho Terras Auleegioni kavaleriks". Õhtuleht. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  25. ↑ "1st Class of the Order of Viesturs". Office of the President. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  26. ↑ "FOTOD: Kolonel Riho Terrasele anti üle Saksamaa kõrgeim sõjaväeline autasu". Delfi. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  27. ↑ Affairs, Kaili Terras | Ambassador-at-large for Education Estonian Ministry of Foreign (10 May 2024). "Kaili Terras | EDUtech_Europe". EDUtech_Europe 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  28. ↑ Hvostov, Andrei (21 November 2008). "Kolonel, kes deklameerib Goethet". Eesti Ekspress.
  29. ↑ Kund, Oliver (26 November 2018). "Kindral Terras: tahaksin tagasi tõmbuda". Postimees.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the General Staff
2011		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Defence Forces
2011–2018		Succeeded by
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