Major General Indrek Sirel

Commander, Estonian Division Estonian Defence Force

Major General Indrek Sirel was born in 1970 in Tallinn, Estonia. He graduated from the Moscow Military Academy and served as a platoon leader in the former Soviet Union Army.

Major General Sirel joined the Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) in 1993 and was commissioned through the evaluation process. From 1993-99, his assignments have included, Alfa Company Commander, Kalev Single Infantry Battalion; Company Commander, North Single Infantry Company; Commanding Officer, Viru Single Infantry Battalion; and completing various Staff Officer positions in the Operations Department at EDF Headquarters.

He attended United States Army Command and General Staff College Course at Fort Leavenworth 1999-2000. Between 2001 and 2004 he completed two assignments at the EDF HQ, Section Head in the Operations Department and later in the Analysis and Planning Department. Whilst also graduating from Finnish National Defence Academy’s Special Flag Officers Course.

In 2004 he deployed with ISAF VI as a Staff Officer, CJ3 plans, ISAF HQ, he was also the Senior National Representative of the Estonian ISAF contingent during the deployment.

In 2005-2006 he assumed Command of the Scouts Battalion, moving on in 2006 to be the Chief of Staff, Land Forces Headquarters and simultaneously fulfilling the position of Acting Commander of the Estonian Land Forces. He was appointed Commander, Estonian Land Forces in 2008 and held that position until 2012. During this period he attended United States Army War College and gained a Master of Strategic Studies Degree.

Late 2012 he became the Assistant Chief of Staff J7 at the NATO Joint Force Command Brunssum. He was the lead exercise planner responsible for numerous major training events that included Exercises STEADFAST JAZZ 13 and TRIDENT JUNCTURE 15.

From 2016 until June 2021 he served as Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. In August 2021 MG Sirel was appointed as the Estonian Military Representative to NATO and EU.

MG Sirel has received the following awards and decorations, Order of the Cross of Eagle – II class, Army Officer Golden Cross, Commander Legion of Merit (US) and also is the recipient of Estonian Parachutist Badge. Major General Sirel is married to Rita and has two grown-up sons.