There is a widespread misconception that if an Estonian citizen has not completed compulsory military service in the Defense Forces, for one reason or another, the door to contributing to national defense is closed. In this day and age, this way of thinking is not only wrong, but also dangerous. Estonia actually offers several legal opportunities for those who wish to contribute to national defense, regardless of their previous military qualifications.

Joining the Defense League: a quick and practical way to acquire national defense skills

The most direct and accessible way to actively participate in the national defense is to join the Estonian Defense League – Kaitseliit. Although it offers a wide variety of training, joint activities, and opportunities for personal development, this organization is surely not a  a hobby club, but one of the cornerstones of Estonia’s comprehensive national defense. According to § 2 of the Defense League Act, it is a voluntary, military-style national defense organization whose purpose is to increase the readiness of the people to defend Estonia’s independence and constitutional order.

The real value of this opportunity lies in its broad-based nature. According to § 24 of the Defense League Act, any Estonian citizen who is at least 18 years of age and has no criminal record may become an active member. Previous military service is not a prerequisite.

What does “militarily organized” mean for a new member? It means systematic military training, a clear chain of command, and integration into a reliable military force. It is a practical and demanding path to national defense, which also gives the right to handle and carry weapons under the law (§ 41 and § 43), thus providing a real and tangible outlet for defending one’s country.

At the same time, active members of the Defense League also have the opportunity to participate in national defense without a uniform or weapons, for example by organizing the accommodation and well-being , maintaining and repairing  vehicles and other equipment, or contributing to community work and networks.

Voluntary military service: an important and irreversible commitment

A lesser known but extremely important option is to voluntarily enlist in the military. The Defense Forces Service Act allows persons who are not automatically subject to military service (e.g., women or men who have not completed compulsory military service for any reason) to voluntarily undertake this obligation.

The process itself is set out in Section 81 of the Defense Service Act: the person must submit a written application to the Defense Resources Agency. This is a decision that requires careful consideration, but it is an extremely important decision and opportunity for citizens who wish to defend their country and people. Section 81(8) of the same Act clearly states that once the commitment has been made, it cannot be withdrawn, and the person has the same rights and obligations as other persons liable for military service.

This means a willingness to undergo compulsory military service (or other equivalent basic training) and to participate regularly in training sessions as part of reserve service. In essence, this gives citizens the opportunity to become fully integrated into the reserve structure of the Estonian Defense Forces, which is the main force behind our military readiness.

The constitutional foundation of national defense: the right and duty of every citizen

The Estonian Constitution provides a fundamental basis for every citizen’s participation and contribution to national defense.

Article 124 of the Constitution clearly states: “Estonian citizens are obligated to participate in national defense on the basis and in accordance with the procedure provided by law.” The same section also guarantees the right to alternative service for those who do not wish to bear arms for religious or moral reasons, demonstrating the flexibility of the law, but not a concession in the fundamental obligation.

However, the moral core of this obligation lies in § 54 of the Constitution: it is the duty of Estonian citizens to be loyal to the constitutional order and to defend the independence of Estonia. “If no other means are available, every Estonian citizen has the right to  own-initiative resistance to any violent change in the constitutional order.”

Today, “loyalty to the constitutional order” means much more than simply obeying the law. In my opinion, it also includes daily vigilance against disinformation, hate speech, and elements of hybrid warfare aimed at undermining the cohesion of the Estonian state and society from within.

The final sentence of the referenced paragraph, “own-initiative resistance,” is one of the most powerful provisions of the Estonian legal system. Its background lies in the tragic history of our country and people on the eve of World War II, but it should also speak to us very strongly in today’s security policy situation.

This refers to the right and duty of every citizen to defend our freedom even if, for some reason, the state institutions are no longer functioning. In a military crisis, every citizen is capable of contributing to the defense of the Estonian state. It is very important that we are all prepared for this and have sufficiently practiced defending our country.

Tõnis Tamme
TRINITI attorney-at-law and partner, and Lieutenant in the Reserve