# Martin Herem - Link: https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem - Published: 2026-04-18T11:18:01+03:00 - Author: toomas ### Postitused, kus seda mõistet mainitakse: * [Tartu Ülikooli esimeseks tulevikumõtte professoriks saab Martin Herem](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/197782) * [Militaarärisse liikunud Martin Herem ja teised endised kõrged sõjaväelased leidsid end kapo aastaraamatust](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/181612) * [Herem: 21. sajandi sõda taandub puhtale matemaatikale](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/242012) * [Herem: ma pigem võtaks Gideoni kombel viimased 300 meest, kui sulgeks piirid](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/20729) * [Viljandis taasavati vabadussammas](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/25317) * [Otse reedel kell 9: vabadussamba taasavamise tseremoonia Viljandis](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/24883) * [Eesti suurendab Vene ohu tõttu järsult kaitseväe tulejõudu](https://kihulane.eu/arhiiv/22176) Estonian military personnel **Martin Herem** (born 17 December 1973) is an Estonian [General](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General) and currently serves as [Minister of Defence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Defence_(Estonia)). He was the [Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_of_the_Estonian_Defence_Forces) from 2018 to 2024.^([[1]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-1)) ^([[2]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-:3-2)) Herem entered into service in 1992. From 2013 to 2016 he served as the Commandant of the [Estonian National Defence College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_National_Defence_College) and from 2016 to 2018 Chief of Staff of the [Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headquarters_of_the_Estonian_Defence_Forces). ^([[3]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-3)) Herem was one of the re-founding members of the paramilitary [Estonian Defence League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_Defence_League) in 1990.^([[4]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-kaitseliit-4)) On 24 January 2023, Martin Herem was promoted to the rank of [general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General). ^([[5]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-5)) Herem became the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces in December 2018. His tenure was extended for another two years in October 2022, in the interests of stability in the backdrop of the [Russian invasion of Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine). ^([[6]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-6)) On 16 January 2024, Herem announced his plan to step down from the post in the summer of 2024, calling the situation stable enough for the change of leadership, which it might not be in the end of his tenure in two years time.^([[2]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-:3-2)) ## Military career * 09.1992–06.1996 Estonian National Defence College, cadet * 07.1996–02.1998 Kuperjanov Single Infantry Battalion, Platoon Leader * 02.1998–07.1998 Kuperjanov Single Infantry Battalion, Company Executive Officer * 07.1998–11.1998 Kuperjanov Single Infantry Battalion, S3 Staff Officer * 11.1998–01.2000 Tartu Single Infantry Battalion, S3 Staff Officer * 01.2000–07.2000 Tartu Single Infantry Battalion, S3 Staff Commander * 07.2000–07.2001 Tartu Single Infantry Battalion, Staff Commander * 08.2002–08.2003 Estonian National Defence College, Instructor of the Tactics Department * 09.2003–02.2006 Estonian National Defence College, Head of the Tactics Department * 02.2006–06.2006 Operation Iraqi Freedom II training mission Senior Staff Officer with US brigade * 06.2006–04.2007 Estonian National Defence College, Head of the Tactics Department * 04.2007–05.2008 Tapa Training Center, Staff Commander * 06.2008–07.2012 North-Eastern Defence Command, Commander * 07.2012–08.2013 Estonian National Defence College, Deputy Commander * 08.2013–07.2016 Estonian National Defence College, Commandant * 07.2016–12.2018 Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces, Chief of Staff * 12.2018–06.2024 Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces ## Effective dates of promotion Promotions | Insignia | Rank | Date | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonia-Army-OF-5.svg) | [Colonel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel) | 18 February 2013^([[7]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-7)) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonia-Army-OF-6.svg) | [Brigadier General](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigadier_General) | 15 February 2017^([[8]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-8)) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonia-Army-OF-7.svg) | [Major General](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_General) | 14 February 2018^([[9]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-9)) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonia-Army-OF-8.svg) | [Lieutenant General](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant_General) | 18 February 2021^([[10]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-10)) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Estonia-Army-OF-9.svg) | [General](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_(Estonia)) | 24 January 2023^([[11]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-11)) | ## Awards and decorations ### Decorations and badges | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Order_of_the_Cross_of_the_Eagle_1st_Class_BAR.png) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Order_of_the_Cross_of_the_Eagle_2nd_Class_BAR.png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Cross_of_Merit_of_the_Ministry_of_Defence_ribbon.svg) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Cross_of_Merit_of_the_Ministry_of_Defence_ribbon.svg) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Distinguished_Service_Decoration_of_the_EDF.png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Order_of_Merit_of_the_Estonian_Defence_Forces.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Defence_Forces_Commendation_Service_Cross_for_outstanding_duty.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Gold_Cross_of_the_Officer_of_Land_Forces.png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_MoD_Medal_of_Participants_in_International_Military_Operations_(1_to_3_missions).png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Merit_Medal_of_the_Defence_League_Special_Class.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Memorial_Medal_10_Years_of_the_Re-Established_Defence_Forces.png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Ida_prefektuuri_teenetemärk.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Silver_Cross_of_the_Rescue_Board.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Kaitseliidu_Kooli_teeneterist.png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Cross_of_the_Estonian_Reserve_Officers’_Assembly_(special).png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Cross_of_the_Estonian_Reserve_Officers’_Assembly_(gold).png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Cross_of_the_Estonian_Reserve_Officers’_Assembly_(silver).png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Former_Estonian_Forest_Brothers_Association_Service_Cross_III_class.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Vabaduse_Tammepärja_aumärk.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:LVA_Order_of_Viesturs_(swords).png) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Order_of_Merit_2nd_Class_of_Ukraine.png) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legion_Honneur_Commandeur_ribbon.svg) | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bronze_Star_Medal_ribbon.svg) | | [1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Cross_of_the_Eagle) | [2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Cross_of_the_Eagle) | | Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence (I class)^([[12]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-12)) | Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence (III class) | Distinguished Service Decoration of the EDF | | Order of Merit of the Estonian Defence Forces | Cross for the Exemplary Service of the Estonian Defence Forces | Gold Cross of the Officer of Land Forces | | MoD Medal of Participants in International Military Operations | Merit Medal of the Defence League Special Class | Memorial Medal "10 Years of the Re-Established Defence Forces" | | Distinguished Service Decoration of the Eastern Prefecture | Silver Cross of the Rescue Board | Estonian Defence League School Cross of Merit | | Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (special) | Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (gold) | Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (silver) | | Former Estonian Forest Brothers Association Service Cross III class | Badge of Honor of the Freedom Oak Wreath | [1st Class of the Order of Viesturs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Viesturs)^([[13]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-13)) | | [2nd Class of the Order of Merit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Merit_(Ukraine))^([[14]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-14)) | [Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Honour#Classes_and_insignia)^([[15]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-15)) | [Bronze Star Medal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_Star_Medal) | | **Badges** | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Combat_Action_Badge.svg) | [Combat Action Badge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Action_Badge) (United States) | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Balti_Kaitsekolledži_kõrgema_staabikursuse_lõpetanu_rinnamärk.png) | Baltic Defence College Higher Command Studies Course graduate Badge | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Balti_Kaitsekolledži_ühendtaseme_juhtimis-_ja_staabikursuse_lõpetanu_rinnamärk_(varasem).png) | Baltic Defence College Joint Command and General Staff Course graduate Badge | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Sõjakooli_keskastme_kursuse_lõpetanu_rinnamärk.png) | Estonian National Defence College Advanced Officer Training Course Badge | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EST_Kuperjanovi_jalaväepataljoni_rinnamärk.png) | The Order of Merit of Kuperjanov Battalion | ## Personal life Martin Herem is married and has a son and two daughters.^([[16]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-:0-16)) He is one of the grandchildren of [Harri Moora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harri_Moora). ^([[17]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-:1-17)) One of his hobbies is marathon running. He has participated in the organisation of the Järvakandi marathon.^([[18]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-:2-18)) He is fluent in English and Russian as foreign languages. He is also one of the re- establishers of the [Estonian Defence League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_Defence_League) in Rapla.^([[4]](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_note-kaitseliit-4)) ## References 1. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-1) ["Gallery: Maj. Gen. Herem takes over command of the Estonian Defence Forces"](https://news.err.ee/882147/gallery-maj-gen-herem-takes-over-command-of-the-estonian-defence-forces). ERR. Retrieved 4 December 2018. 2. [1](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-:3_2-0) [2](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-:3_2-1) ["Estonian Defense Forces' commander announces resignation"](https://news.err.ee/1609223882/estonian-defense-forces-commander-announces-resignation). _ERR_. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024. 3. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-3) ["Brigadier General Martin Herem"](http://www.mil.ee/UserFiles/ENG/Estonian_Defence_Forces/Headquarters/Brigadier%20General%20MARTIN%20HEREM%20Bio). [Estonian Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_Defence_Forces). Retrieved 4 December 2018. 4. [1](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-kaitseliit_4-0) [2](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-kaitseliit_4-1) ["Aasta allohvitser ja ohvitser alustasid sõjaväelist karjääri Kaitseliidu Rapla malevas"](http://www.kaitseliit.ee/et/aasta-allohvitser-ja-ohvitser-alustasid-sojavaelist-karjaari-kaitseliidu-rapla-malevas)( in Estonian). [Estonian Defence League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_Defence_League). Retrieved 4 December 2018. 5. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-5) Kook, Urmet (24 January 2023). ["President andis kaitseväe juhatajale kindrali auastme"](https://www.err.ee/1608861635/president-andis-kaitsevae-juhatajale-kindrali-auastme). _err.ee_. ERR. 6. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-6) ["Riigikogu committee unanimous in call to prolong EDF commander's term"](https://news.err.ee/1608745132/riigikogu-committee-unanimous-in-call-to-prolong-edf-commander-s-term). _err.ee_. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024. 7. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-7) ["Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine"](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/320022013001). 18 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2026. 8. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-8) ["M. Heremile sõjaväelise auastme andmine"](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/317022017002). 15 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2026. 9. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-9) ["Sõjaväelise auastme andmine"](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/316022018001). 14 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2026. 10. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-10) ["M. Heremile sõjaväelise auastme andmine"](https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/319022021002). 18 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2026. 11. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-11) ["32. M. Heremile sõjaväelise auastme andmine"](https://president.ee/et/ametitegevus/kaskkirjad/54446-32-m-heremile-sojavaelise-auastme-andmine). 24 January 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026. 12. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-12) [[https://pildid.mil.ee/index.php?/category/62758](https://pildid.mil.ee/index.php?/category/62758) 13. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-13) ["1st Class of the Order of Viesturs"](https://president.ee/et/teenetemargid/valisriigi-antud-teenetemargid/54865-martin-herem). _Office of the President_. Retrieved 1 March 2024. 14. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-14) [УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №752/2022 Про відзначення державними нагородами України](https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/7522022-44797) 15. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-15) ["Commandeur of the National Order of the Legion of Honour"](https://president.ee/et/teenetemargid/valisriigi-antud-teenetemargid/53203-martin-herem). _Office of the President_. Retrieved 1 March 2024. 16. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-:0_16-0) ["Martin Herem CV"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190331141429/http://www.mil.ee/et/kaitsevagi/organisatsioon/kaitsevae-juhtimine/Kaitsevae-peastaabi-ylem-Martin-Herem). _www.mil.ee_ (in Estonian). Archived from [the original](http://www.mil.ee/et/kaitsevagi/organisatsioon/kaitsevae-juhtimine/Kaitsevae-peastaabi-ylem-Martin-Herem) on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2018. 17. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-:1_17-0) ["Enne lapsed, siis teaduskarjäär"](http://www.vooremaa.ee/enne-lapsed-siis-teaduskarjaar/). _www.vooremaa.ee_ (in Estonian). Retrieved 11 January 2018. 18. [↑](https://kihulane.eu/glossary/martin-herem#cite_ref-:2_18-0) ["Brigaadikindral Martin Herem maratoniradadel"](http://ajakirisport.ee/2017/08/04/brigaadikindral-martin-herem-maratoniradadel/). _ajakirisport.ee_ (in Estonian). Retrieved 11 January 2018. | Military offices | | Preceded by [Aarne Ermus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarne_Ermus) | ** [Commandant of the Estonian National Defence College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_National_Defence_College) ** 2013–2016 | Succeeded by [Enno Mõts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enno_Mõts) | | Preceded by [Igor Schvede](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Schvede) | ** [Chief of Staff of the Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headquarters_of_the_Estonian_Defence_Forces) ** 2016–2018 | Succeeded by [Veiko-Vello Palm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veiko-Vello_Palm) | | Preceded by [Riho Terras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riho_Terras) | ** [Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_of_the_Estonian_Defence_Forces) ** 2018–2024 | Succeeded by [Andrus Merilo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrus_Merilo) | | [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control) [⌊Edit this at Wikidata⌉](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28790814#identifiers) | * [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/15149542837700302052) | ![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop& type=1x1&usesul3=1) allikas: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Herem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Herem)