Indrek Sirel

Indrek Sirel (born 16 January 1970) is a Major General of the Estonian Defence Forces and current commander of the Estonian Division^[1][2]

Indrek Sirel
Indrek Sirel in 2024
Born	(1970-01-16) 16 January 1970 (age 54) Tallinn, Estonia
Allegiance	Soviet Union (1991)  Estonia (1993–present)
Service / branch	Estonian Defence Forces
Years of service	1991 and since 1993
Rank	Major General
Commands	Estonian Land Forces Scouts Battalion Viru Infantry Battalion
Battles / wars	War in Afghanistan

Early life

Sirel was born in Tallinn, Estonia.^[1]

Career

Sirel graduated from the Moscow Military Academy in June 1991 and joined the Soviet Union Army. One of his early assignments included being a Platoon Leader in the Baical Military District. He joined the Estonian Defence Forces in June 1993 and has gone through several different courses both in Estonia and in the United States before his post as head of the Estonian Army.^[1]

Effective dates of promotion

Soviet Army

Promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Lieutenant	1991

Estonian Defence Forces

Promotions

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Lieutenant	1993
	Captain	1993
	Major	17 February 1998[3]
	Lieutenant colonel	19 June 2002[4]
	Colonel	18 February 2008[5]
	Brigadier General	20 June 2012[6]
	Major General	14 February 2018[7]

Awards

• 4th class Order of the Cross of the Eagle
• Defence Forces Service Medal
• Special Cross Of The Defence Force
• The Golden Cross Of The Army Officer
• The Golden Cross Of The Defence Forces

References

1. "Commander of Estonian Army Colonel INDREK SIREL". Estonian Defence Forces. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
2. "Major General Indrek Sirel is the new commander of the Estonian Division". Estonian Defence Forces. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
3. "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine nr 31". Riigi Teataja. 17 February 1998. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
4. "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine nr 28". Retrieved 31 August 2024.
5. "45. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". 18 February 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
6. "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine nr 12". 20 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
7. "President ülendas järgmise kaitseväe juhataja Martin Heremi kindralmajoriks". 14 February 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2024.

Military offices
Preceded by Johannes Kert	Commander of the Estonian Land Forces 2008–2012	Succeeded by Artur Tiganik
Preceded by Artur Tiganik	Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces 2016–	Succeeded by Incumbent