Estonian military ranks

Estonian military ranks were in most cases established during the Estonian War of Independence and in the 1920s. These include the rank of kapral is a derivate of Italian "caporale" - much like the English equivalent of corporal. After the World War II and the end of the Soviet occupation in 1991, a new rank was established, creating for the first time a brigadier general rank in the armed forces of Estonia. In Estonia rank insignia are worn on both shoulders.

Estonian Defence Forces

Ground Forces

Present Estonian system of rank insignia is a direct descendant of various systems used in the past in the Estonian Army. Some of the grades trace their name back to period of World Wars, for instance the rank of aspirant literally means an officers in training in military academies or voluntaries, serving as temporary officers. The Estonian armed forces distinguishes 7 career levels:
* Higher officers ("Kõrgemad ohvitserid")
* Senior officers ("Vanemohvitserid")
* Junior officers ("Nooremohvitserid")
* Senior non-commissioned officers ("Vanemallohvitserid")
* Junior non-commissioned officers("Nooremallohvitserid")
* Soldiers ("Sõdurid")
* Cadets ("Kadetid")

The rank "Soldat" is replaced by ranks specific to their (branch of service):
* Funker (Fu) "Signaller"
* Jäger (Jg)"Ranger"