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.

Guard Battalion
Vahipataljon
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 of Military Police
Garrison/HQTallinn, Miinisadam (Naval Base)
Nickname(s)Presidendi Kaardivägi (Presidential Guard)
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant colonel Margot Künnapuu[1]
Notable
commanders		Colonel Oskar Raudvere

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

Conscripts of the Estonian Navy live 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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