Guard Battalion (Estonia)

The Guard Battalion (Estonian: Vahipataljon) is specialized unit under the Military Police of the Estonian Defence Forces, which conducts ceremonial duties and prepares military police units.[2] It is based in Tallinn and specialized in urban warfare. This unit was previously known as the Infantry Training Centre Independent Guard Battalion and was part of the Estonian Ground Forces.

Guard Battalion
Insignia of the Guard Battalion
ActiveJanuary 9, 1919 – June 17, 1940
January 22, 1993 – present
Country Estonia
Branch Estonian Land Forces
TypeFoot guards
Military police
SizeBattalion
Part ofMilitary Police (Estonia)
Garrison/HQTallinn, Miinisadam (Naval Base)
Nickname(s)Presidendi Kaardivägi (Presidential Guard)
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant colonel Margot Künnapuu[1]
Notable
commanders		Colonel Oskar Raudvere

The Guard Battalion is also the place for training of the Paramedic Course (applicants get the rank of Junior Sergeant and position of platoon or company paramedic upon completion) and the NAK (Junior Non-Commissioned Officers' Course – rank of Corporal or Junior Sergeant and position of squad leader or platoon sergeant aid upon completion). With NAK completed, it is possible to continue to the Platoon Commander Aid Course, after completion of which the applicants get the corresponding position and the title of aspirant. In case the platoon commander becomes MIA or receives an injury not compatible with his duties, it is the aspirant who takes over the unit.

Being the capital's largest military formation, the Guard Battalion also has the duty of carrying the watch over the presidential palace and welcoming foreign diplomats and political guests.

Unit structure
The Guard Battalion during the Estonia 100 parade.
  • Headquarters[3]
  • Infantry Company
  • Military Police Company
  • Staff and Support Center

Almost 300 conscripts are serving in the battalion every year. It is the only one unit with conscripts in Military Police role in Estonian Defense Forces.

Garrison

The battalion was moved from old base to Naval base of the Estonian Navy. Old premises in suburbs of Tallinn was sold together with old barracks of Logistics Battalion. Now Guard Battalion has excellent living conditions for conscripts in renovated historical barracks. But the unit has lack of training because it is far away from shooting ranges and training grounds.

Conscripts of the Estonian Navy are living in the same barracks.

See also

References
  1. "Vahipataljoni uus ülem on kolonelleitnant Margot Künnapuu". mil.ee. 5 August 2019.
  2. "Vahipataljon". mil.ee.
  3. "Vahipataljoni põhimäärus – Riigi Teataja". Riigiteataja.ee. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
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