All persons in reserve can be assigned to a wartime position depending on the Defence Forces’ needs. The position may be in a wartime unit or supplemental reserve, which is meant above all for reinforcing Defence Forces units. The basis for assignment to the wartime position is the individual's military training and their skillsets in the civilian field. If a person in reserve has no military training, the person will be given training at the reservist training.

All persons assigned to a wartime position will be sent a notice regarding their wartime position. The notice can be retrieved from the state portal and the Defence Forces Service web interface. All persons assigned to a wartime position must know their unit’s code and assembly point.

Persons who have not been assigned to a wart me position are placed in the Defence Forces’ general reserve and they, too, must be prepared to participate in military defence pursuant to the Defence Forces’ needs. The personnel in the general reserve may be used in peacetime to supplement existing units or form new wartime units. In wartime, they are used to compensate for losses in units.

In order to receive notifications from the Defence Forces regarding changes in wartime positions, it is imperative to keep one’s contact details updated.

Note: Persons working in positions/jobs involving national defence duties may also be assigned to wartime positions, e.g. police officers and rescuers. Persons in reserve who are performing national defence duties of employment must take part in reservist training, but they are exempted from the obligation to take part in additional reservist training. Nor do they have to report to the assembly point upon receiving a mobilization order; instead they continue to perform their service duties in their usual position.

Personnel in a wartime position are changed pursuant to the Defence Forces’ needs. The period for which they are in the wartime position depends on various factors. For instance, in units formed from conscripts, the time may average five years, but the period may vary in length in different areas of specialization. There is no specific limitation in territorial defence units.

If necessary, personnel may be assigned to a wartime position in the supplemental reserve as well. The supplemental reserve is used above all for supplementing units during wartime.
A person who is released from a wartime position is placed in the Defence Forces’ general reserve, but if need be, they may be re-assigned to the wartime position depending on the Defence Forces’ needs.

If you believe that your position’s information on the wartime position notice is incorrect, contact the Defence Forces via the self-service interface.

If you don’t have a wartime position, that does not mean that you are not needed by the military for national defence. Personnel in the general reserve may be re-assigned to wartime positions depending on the Defence Forces’ needs.

If you lack a wartime position but wish to contribute to the national defence in the ranks of a wartime unit, you can put in a request. Do so through the self-service interface Defence Forces Service web interface. If possible, a suitable solution will be found in cooperation with the Defence Forces units.

If you would like your skillsets and knowledge from civilian life to be used in the optimum manner in your position, also let us know. Enter your skills on the Defence Forces Service web interface.

Besides the Defence Forces’ reserve service, it is also possible to contribute to national defence from outside the Defence Forces structure. Volunteer-based national defence organizations such as the Defence League and Women’s Voluntary Defence Organization provide an opportunity for this. To join, submit an application to the Defence League. Read about joining the Defence League on the Defence League website; for the Women’s Voluntary Defence organization, visit that organization’s website.

The four principal obligations for a person in reserves are: notification obligation, obligation to appear, obligation to present documents and the obligation to complete formalities.

Notification obligation

• obligation to communicate one's contact details.
  Keep an eye on your contact details on the Defence Forces Service web interface. If any of these are incorrect, you can correct them immediately via the website. If it is not possible for you to use the Defence Forces Service web interface for any reason, notify the Defence Resources Agency of your contact details via application form.
• obligation to provide notice regarding factors that change health status.
  Such factors include a serious illness or disability. If the change in health status may affect conformity to health requirements, the Defence Resources Agency must be notified thereof, appending a document that substantiates the change. This can also be done on the Defence Forces Service web interface. If necessary, the board will evaluate the change in your health status and make the corresponding decision.

Obligation to appear

If you receive a call-up from the Defence Resources Agency or the Defence Forces, you must appear at the appointed time at/for the following:

• at the Defence Resources Agency or a place indicated by the board in order to complete formalities;
• evaluation of health status;
• performance of Defence Forces service obligation in reserve service or alternative reserve service.

Obligation to submit documents
At the demand of the Defence Resources Agency, data, certificates and documents needed for the issuing of an administrative act or completion of formalities must be presented. For example, the evaluation of health status requires a health certificate to be submitted, and, if necessary, other documents that describe health status.

Obligation to complete formalities
Upon demand of the Defence Resources Agency or Defence Forces, formalities must be completed – for example, to submit to evaluation of health status at the appointed time and place and if necessary, an additional medical examination or health diagnostics. For additional information on fulfilment of obligations related to the Defence Resources Agency and evaluation of health status, visit the Defence Resources Agency’s or Defence Forces’ website.

Mobilization is the set of activities in the course of which readiness of the Defence Forces’ wartime units is ensured for military action. During mobilization, subjects of the national defence obligation and active-duty members of the Defence League who lack the national defence obligation but who have been assigned to a wartime position are obliged to perform duties of the wartime position. Mobilization is announced by Parliament on the proposal of the President of the Republic. In the event of an attack on the Republic of Estonia, the President shall order mobilization without waiting for parliamentary decision.

The mobilization order is delivered using one of the following methods:

• electronically;
• the notice is published in at least one national newspaper;
• the notice is aired on TV and radio programme services between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm on at least three occasions;
• the notice is published on an online news site or other appropriate website.

The recipient of mobilization order must appear at the assembly point at the appointed time. When appearing at the assembly point, each person must have with them the items and documents that they were requested to bring.
A person who is abroad must appear at the assembly point in Estonia on the day specified in the mobilization order or promptly report to a foreign representation or other place determined by the foreign representation.