This week, a traditional two-day tactical conference was held at the Estonian Military Academy in Tartu, with the aim of discussing division’s tactical activities in an international environment as well as improving and deepening the participants’ knowledge of the tactics of land operations.
“While the tactics conference was previously held in a seminar format, this year it was held for the first time in a real conference format, based on last year’s feedback,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rauno Viitmann, lecturer at the Chair of Tactics at the Department of Education of the Estonian Military Academy and the main organizer of the conference.
“Another innovation this year to be followed during coming conferences, is that at least two graduates of the Estonian Military Academy will also give a presentation of their master’s or graduation thesis during the two days.”
The first day of the conference focused on the Estonian Division, where a thorough review of the activities to date was made and changes to the National Defence Development Plan 2035 were discussed. The second day was dedicated to international guests from Finland, Latvia and the United Kingdom, who shared their best practices and insights into tactical activities at the division level during their presentations.
“In addition to the presentations from our neighbours and allies, we also invited both Major General in the Reserve Veiko-Vello Palm and the current division commander, Major General Indrek Sirel, to speak about the Estonian Division,” said Lieutenant Colonel Viitmann, adding that the presentation by the Commanding General of the German- Netherlands Corps, Lieutenant General Peter Mirow, on the concept of corps-level defence has a special significance.
This year’s tactical conference was held for the ninth time. It is an event that allows military personnel studying at the Estonian Military Academy to communicate directly with capability developers, experts and unit commanders in order to consolidate what they have learned earlier.
The Estonian Military Academy is the only national defence higher education institution in Estonia, where officers and NCOs are trained for the Defence Forces and the Defence League. In addition, the Estonian Military Academy offers advanced military training and organizes research and development activities related to national defence.
More photos HERE.