Minister of Defence Jüri Luik is going to make a motion to name Brigadier General Martin Herem, current Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces, as the next Commander, who would start his service on 5 December.
Luik said that Brig. Gen. Herem is the best candidate for the position because of his skills and personal qualities.
„Martin Herem is modern Estonian officer – he has military competence, he is fully familiar with systems of compulsory military service and mobilization and has proven over his long career that he’s capable of comprehensively developing the national defence system based on reservist army model,“ said Luik.
Minister of Defence stated that Herem has advanced leadership features, he is a role model amongst soldiers and keeps good relationships for cooperation with other institutions.
“Amongst very good candidates, Martin Herem is the best. His personal qualities and military competence speak for his benefit,” said Luik.
Brig. Gen. Herem accepted the proposition from Minister of Defence and is fully willing to take responsibility and pressure that comes with the job.
„If the Government accepts the proposition from Minister of Defence, I am ready to take on the responsibility of developing and strengthening Estonian national defence,“ said Brig. Gen. Herem.
„The Defence Forces have made a big leap in development under the current Commander General Riho Terras and I would be honored to continue his work,” said Herem.
Brig. Gen. emphasized that after the Governments decision he will continue serving as Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces and is able to comment the doings of the Defence Forces from that position.
The Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces is appointed by the Government based on the notion from Minister of Defence. The government also takes into account the opinion of the National Defence Committee of the Parliament.Brigadier General Martin Herem (44) started his service in the Estonian Defence Forces in 1992. He currently serves as Chief of Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces.
In the past he has served as the Commandant of the Estonian National Defence College, Commander of North-Eastearn Defence Command and Chief of Staff of Tapa Training Centre.
In addition to different leading positions in the Estonian National Defence College, Kuperjanov Single Infantry Battalion and Tartu Single Infantry Battalion, he has been on a mission in Iraq and is a one of the founders of reestablished Estonian Defence League.
Read more about Brig. Gen. Martin Herem:
http://www.mil.ee/UserFiles/ENG/Estonian_Defence_Forces/Headquarters/Bri...(2).pdf