Andrus Merilo

Andrus Merilo
Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 July 2024
President
Preceded byMartin Herem
Personal details
Born (1973-06-02) 2 June 1973 (age 53)
Tallinn, then part of Estonian SSR, Soviet Union
Military service
AllegianceEstonia
Branch/serviceEstonian Land Forces
Years of service
1995–present
RankLieutenant General
Commands
Battles/warsUNIFIL
KFOR
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsSee: Awards, decorations, and recognition

Andrus Merilo (born 2 June 1973) is an Estonian General and current Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces since 2024.

In 2005 he was the commander of ESTPLA-10 in Iraq. In 2007 he was the commander of ESTCOY-4 in Afghanistan.

Merilo commanded the Scouts Battalion from 2013 to 2016. Since June 2021, he commanded the 1st Infantry Brigade.

Effective dates of promotion

Promotions
InsigniaRankDate
Ensign16 July 1999
Sub-lieutenant3 June 2002
Lieutenant12 June 2003
Captain3 October 2006
Major9 February 2010
Lieutenant colonel16 February 2015
Colonel18 February 2020
Brigadier General23 February 2024
Major General19 June 2024
Lieutenant General20 June 2025

Awards, decorations and recognition

Decorations and badges

5th Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle
(with swords)		 Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence (III class) Distinguished Service Decoration of the EDF
(for battle merit)
Cross for the Exemplary Service of the Estonian Defence Forces Gold Cross of the Officer of Land Forces Silver Cross of the Officer of Land Forces
Estonian Defence Forces General Staff Cross of Merit MoD Medal of Participants in International Military Operations Estonian Defence Forces Long Service Medal
Merit Medal of the Defence League Special Class Memorial Medal "10 Years of the Re-Established Defence Forces" Distinguished Service Decoration of the Peace Operations Centre
National Defence Medal
(gold grade) with bar		 1st Class Commander of the White Rose of Finland NATO Medal for ISAF
NATO Medal for KFOR United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Medal National Service Medal (Army)
Badges
Badge of the Estonian Scouts Battalion
Badge of the Estonian 1st Infantry Brigade
The badge of the Finnish reserve officer course
United States Army Command and General Staff College International Graduate Badge

References

  1. ↑ https://mil.ee/uudised/kindralmajor-andrus-merilo-vottis-ule-kaitsevae-juhtimise/
  2. ↑ "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "18. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". 3 June 2002. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "59. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". 12 June 2003. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "149. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". 3 October 2006. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Riigi Teataja. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  7. ↑ "81. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". 16 February 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2024.[permanent dead link]
  8. ↑ "President andis ohvitseridele uued auastmed, Igor Schvedest sai kontradmiral". 18 February 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Galerii: president andis Andrus Merilole brigaadikindrali auastme". 23 February 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "GALERII ⟩ President Alar Karis andis Andrus Merilole üle kindralmajori auastme". 19 June 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "103. Sõjaväelise auastme andmine". 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.