THE AIM
The Estonian Military Academy provides level one and level two higher military education and vocational education. Upon graduation, the students of the Estonian Military Academy (EMA) may perform different duties within the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) and the Defence League (DL) both in peace- and wartime. These are mainly positions as platoon leaders or company commanders for graduates of level one higher military education; positions in infantry battalion or infantry brigade headquarters and battalion commander positions during wartime, or equivalent positions for level two higher military education graduates; and as an instructors or an assistants to the unit leaders during peacetime and as a unit leaders during wartime for vocational education. EMA falls under the governance of Estonian Ministry of Defence and under the authority of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. It acts as a structural unit of the EDF whilst being a university of applied sciences. EMA is the only national defence applied higher education institution in Estonia and collaborates with various partners both nationally and internationally.
STRUCTURE
- Department of Administration (consisting of Commandant’s Administration, Support Section, Study Support, Baltic Defence College's application department) puts into effect EMA Commandant’s instructions to ensure logistical support and coordination between different subdivisions. The department’s main task is to support the Commander in planning, controlling, and reporting and organising protocol services as well as deal with security, communication & marketing, signals & IT services.
- The Department of Education provides level-based and continued education and engages in research and development activities in teaching and military science.
- Student Corps is tasked with participating in the educational process in accordance with the different curriculums and educational regulations.
- The Department of Applied Research deals with finding scientifically substantiated solutions for defence-related issues and plays a role in shaping the national defence strategy, policy and the development of military history. It fosters national and international cooperation and collaboration between civilian sector and military personnel.
- The War and Disaster Medicine Centre (consists of Educational, Medical, and Support and Development divisions) organises war and disaster medicine training for members of the EDF, reserve medics, medical students, and other collaborative partners. The centre is also engaged in research and development activities in the field of military and disaster medicine in Estonia. Additionally, the Centre also provides healthcare services to members of EDF within its own jurisdiction.
STAFF
|
Commandant of Estonian Military Academy |
|
Brigadier General Vahur Karus |
|
Sergeant Major of The Estonian Military Academy
|
|
Sergeant Major Indrek Ojasoo |
|
Department of Administration for Commandant’s Administration |
|
|
|
Deputy Commandant |
|
Lieutenant Colonel Raul Järviste |
|
Communication and Marketing Group
|
|
Second Lieutenant Mari-Liis Päären |
|
Department of Education |
|
|
|
Head of Department |
|
Nele Rand |
|
Chief Specialist of Academic Cooperation, Mobility and Traineeship |
|
Piret Tamm |
|
Student Corps |
|
|
|
Head of Student Corps |
|
Captain Märt Reedi |
|
Department of Applied Research |
|
|
|
Head of Department |
|
Lieutenant Colonel Taavi Laanepere |
|
War and Disaster Medicine Centre |
|
|
|
In the duties of the head of Centre of War and Disaster Medicine |
|
Lieutenant Valter Voomets |
COURSES
There are three distinct levels of study at EMA. These are first level of higher education (Basic Officer Training Course), second level of higher education (Advanced Officer Training Course) and vocational education.
Level one higher military education, Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC)
The study period for the Basic Officer Training Course is three years. It’s the first level of officer training and the curriculum comprises of four main modules: basic, designated, speciality studies and practice modules. The first two involve humanitarian subjects, social sciences, natural and exact sciences and strategy subjects and language learning. There are three options for level one higher military education, which are:
- Land forces— prepares students to work as platoon and company commanders or a battery commander. The syllabus enables students to pursue specialised education in infantry, mechanised infantry, artillery, logistics, engineering, signals intelligence and air defence disciplines. The length of study is three years.
- Air force—prepares students to fulfil positions as junior officers in the air force. The syllabus enables students to specialise in airfield, air monitoring or air operations specialities. The study takes place in cooperation with the Estonian Aviation Academy and lasts three years.
- Navy—prepares students to fulfil both peacetime and wartime positions as junior officers in the Estonian Navy. The syllabus lets the students choose between navy tactics or engineering disciplines. The study takes place in cooperation with the Estonian Maritime Academy and lasts three years.
The students and are issued a diploma of higher education in military leadership after completing their speciality practice in a sub-unit in EDF and after defending their final paper. The graduates attain the rank of second lieutenant and start their service in either the EDF or DL as platoon leaders and company commanders (depending on the specifics of the arms of service/weapon class).
Level two higher military education, Advanced Officer Training Course
Officers may want to continue their studies in the second level of officer training: the Advanced Officer Training Course. It’s a two-year master’s programme, during which time students enhance their specialist knowledge and professional skills. The programme enables the continuation of speciality studies started during applied higher education (BOTC), whereby the students acquire knowledge and skills necessary for service as staff officers of an infantry battalion or a brigade or as wartime battalion commanders (or equivalent posts). The curriculum enables the continuation of studies started during the basic officer course, such as infantry, signals, engineering, air defence, artillery, and logistics specialities. The acquisition of these skills and knowledge are necessary to perform the duties of a staff officer in the respective service branch.
The level two higher military education’s curriculum consists of basic, designated and speciality studies. The first two provide officers with a comprehensive master’s level academic education to respond to current requirements and needs of the EDF and the Republic of Estonia. After completion, officers continue their learning in military speciality studies. In addition to compulsory subjects, the programme involves a selection of electives to increase specialisation and competence necessary to perform the duties of a battalion commander and staff officer. A master’s diploma is issued to the students after successfully defending their master’s thesis.
Vocational studies
EMA provides EDF and DL with senior non-commissioned officers in its vocational education curriculum. The syllabus enables students to specialise in navy, air force or the army. The latter includes further specialisation in either infantry, armoured infantry, engineering, air defence, artillery, communications, logistics, or military police disciplines. The study lasts eleven months, during which time the students prepare to serve as an assistant to a unit leader during peacetime and as a unit leader during wartime. They receive professional education in the field of military leadership, and the successful completion of the curriculum is a prerequisite for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant.
Contact
Email: akadeemia@mil.ee
Telephone: +372 717 6100
Address: Riia 121, 51010, Tartu, Eesti
