Yesterday, September 1st, at a formal ceremony held at the Estonian Military Academy in Tartu, Captain(N) Johan-Elias Seljamaa took over command of the Estonian Military Academy from Brigadier General Viktor Kalnitski
“As I take office today, I have a goal that I want to strive for. Namely, a structural change has been initiated at the Estonian Military Academy, which we must move forward with and implement together,” said the new commandant of the Estonian Military Academy, Captain(N) Johan-Elias Seljamaa, in his speech at the ceremony. “The goal of the change is simple – to ensure that graduates enter service with the skills necessary to maintain the combat capability of their units. We must understand this development across the entire Defense Forces and manage it in a science-based manner. This means understanding quality, limitations, and opportunities, but also updating curricula, committing to teaching, and selecting research projects that support the defense of Estonia at sea, on land, and in the air.”
In his speech, Captain (N) Seljamaa also thanked Brigadier General Kalnitski for his work and the changes he initiated, and assured everyone that the course set would be continued. “I expect everyone to contribute to the achievement of our goals and thank you for your trust in appointing me to this position. I am beginning to understand more and more the responsibility that comes with this position. I promise to bear this responsibility!” added Captain (N) Seljamaa in conclusion.
Brigadier General Viktor Kalnitski led the Estonian Military Academy from June 2024 and will continue to serve as Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. „It has been an extremely exciting and interesting year, and I am sincerely glad that I had the opportunity to serve here with you,“ Brigadier General Kalnitski said in his speech at the ceremony. „To be honest, I enjoyed every moment as the head of the Estonian Military Academy, not because of the position itself, but because of the positive environment and the excellent team. You are a very good team, and together we can achieve a lot and go very far.“
Mereväekapten Johan-Elias Seljamaa on olnud kaitseväeteenistuses alates 1995. aastast. Ta on omandanud sõjaväelise hariduse Soome sõjakoolis mereväeohvitseri põhikursusel ning Suurbritannias vanemohvitseride kursusel, samuti täiendanud end erinevatel erialastel kursustel Ameerika Ühendriikides, Rootsis, Taanis ja Belgias. Mereväekapten Seljamaa on teeninud mereväe laevastiku ülemana, miinijahtijate Wambola ja Admiral Cowani ning staabi- ja toetuslaeva Admiral Pitka komandörina ning kaitseväe peastaabi operatiivosakonnas nii vanemstaabiohvitseri kui jaoskonna ülemana. Enne Kaitseväe Akadeemia ülema ametikohale asumist oli mereväekapten Seljamaa mereväe ülema asetäitja.Captain (N)
Johan-Elias Seljamaa has been in the Estonian Defence Forces since 1995. He has acquired military education at the Finnish Military Academy’s basic course for naval officers and the senior officers course in the United Kingdom, as well as completing various specialist courses in the United States, Sweden, Denmark and Belgium. Captain (N) Seljamaa has served as commander of the Navy fleet, commander of the minesweepers Wambola and Admiral Cowan and the staff and support ship Admiral Pitka, and as senior staff officer and section commander in the Operations Department of the Defence Forces Joint Headquarters. Before taking up the position of Commandant of the Estonian Military Academy, Captain Seljamaa was Deputy Commandant of the Navy.
Thank you, Brigadier General Viktor Kalnitski and welcome Captain (N) Johan-Elias Seljamaa!
The Estonian Military Academy is Estonia’s only national defense institution of higher education, training officers and non-commissioned officers for the Estonian Defense Forces and the Estonian Defense League. In addition, the Estonian Military Academy offers military continuing education and conducts research and development related to national defense.
More pictures HERE.