Leadership

Leadership

The Defence League is a voluntary national defence organisation operating under the Ministry of Defence. It is organised on a military basis, holds arms, and conducts military training, and is led by the Commander of the Defence League.

The Defence League follows a dual leadership model, where voluntary collegial bodies participate in administrative management. These collegial bodies have an advisory role in matters concerning military training within the Defence League and the preparation of the state’s military defence capability.

Commander of EDL

Major General

Ilmar Tamm

Commander of EDL​

2023 december

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Varasemad Kaitseliidu ülemad

2019 – 2023
Riho Ühtegi
2012 – 2019
Meelis Kiili
2006 – 2012
Raivo Lumiste
1999 – 2006
Benno Leesik
1997 – 1999
Lui Jaanson
1996 – 1997
Neeme Väli
1992 – 1996
Johannes Kert
1990 – 1992
Manivald Kasepõld
1990 – 1990
Kalle Istvan Eller
1925 – 1940
Johannes Orasmaa
1924 - 1925
Aleksander Seiman
1919 – 1920
Johan Unt
1919 – 1919 ​
Eduard Alver
1918 – 1919
Ernst Põdder
1918 – 1918
Johan Pitka

Varasemad kaitseliidu ülemad

2018 - 2023
Riho Ühtegi
2012 – 2019
Meelis Kiili
2006 – 2012
Raivo Lumiste
1999 – 2006
Benno Leesik
1997 – 1999
Lui Jaanson
1996 – 1997
Neeme Väli
1992 – 1996
Johannes Kert
1990 – 1992
Manivald Kasepõld
1990 – 1990
Kalle Istvan Eller
1992 – 1996
Johannes Orasmaa
1924 - 1925
Aleksander Seiman
1919 – 1920
Johan Unt
1919 – 1919 ​
Eduard Alver
1918 – 1919
Ernst Põdder
1918 – 1918 ​
Johan Pitka

Structure of EDL

The Defence League is a voluntary national defence organisation operating under the Ministry of Defence. It is organised on a military basis, holds arms, and conducts military training with the aim of strengthening the people’s readiness to defend Estonia’s independence and constitutional order, relying on free will and initiative.
 
The Defence League is the legal successor of the organisation established on 11 November 1918 as a self-defence force. It is a public-law legal entity. Political activity by parties, other political associations, or their representatives is prohibited within the Defence League.
 
The structural units of the Defence League are the Headquarters, Territorial Defence Districts, regional units (malev’s), the EDL Guard Service, the EDL School, the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation (Naiskodukaitse), and the youth organisations Young Eagles (Noored Kotkad) and Home Daughters (Kodutütred).
 

Commander of EDL

The Commander of the Defence League leads the organisation and is subordinate to the Chief of Defence. He or she is responsible for the management of the Defence League, its cooperation, budget, development plans, and state property, and represents the Defence League to the extent provided by law. The Commander of the Defence League is appointed and relieved of office by the Government of the Republic upon the joint proposal of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence, taking into account the opinion of the Council of Elders.

Central Assembly

The Central Assembly of the Estonian Defence League is the highest governing body of the organisation, which meets at least twice a year and decides on strategic, budgetary and management issues and approves development documents. The Central Assembly consists of the head of the KL structural unit and the representative body of the structural unit or representatives elected by the Central Assembly from among the active members of the structural unit.

Board of Elders

The Council of Elders of the Defence League is an advisory body elected by the Central Assembly and consisting of state or public figures. It evaluates and presents the activities of the organization and provides important opinions on management issues.

Central Management

The Central Board of the Defence League is a five-member governing body elected by the Central Assembly, which performs the tasks assigned by the Central Assembly and law, manages budget processes, organizes the work of the organization, and submits and evaluates development documents.

Central audit committee

The Central Auditing Committee of the Defence League is the highest supervisory body elected by the Central Assembly, which controls the activities of the governing bodies, economic transactions and implementation of decisions, and ensures compliance with laws and organizational procedures.

EDL Head Quarters

The Headquarters is a structural unit of the Defence League that supports the Commander of the Defence League and provides guidance, coordination, supervision, and advice to other structural units. The Headquarters is led by the Chief of the Headquarters, who reports directly to the Commander of the Defence League. The Chief of the Headquarters is appointed to office by the Commander of the Defence League.

Useful info

"The Defence League Act and other legal acts concerning the Defence League in the Riigi Teataja