Tarmo Kõuts (born 27 November 1953) is an Estonian politician and former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces.

Tarmo Kõuts
Kõuts in 2019
Born (1953-11-27) 27 November 1953 (age 71)
Sandla, Pihtla Parish, Estonia
Allegiance Estonia
Service / branch Estonian Defence Forces
Years of service2000–2006
RankVice admiral
CommandsCommander of the Defence Forces

Director General of the Estonian Border Guard

Rector of the Estonian Maritime Academy
Awards 2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle

2nd Class of the Order of the National Coat of Arms
Knight Grand Cross of Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Grand Cross of the Norwegian Order of Merit
1st Class of the Order of Viesturs
Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland
Commander's Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry

State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross

Kõuts graduated from Tallinn Maritime School in 1973 and from Kaliningrad Technical Institute in 1985. From 1973 to 1990 he worked in various positions in the Estonian Shipping Company. He served as the rector of Estonian Maritime Academy from 1990 to 1993 and as the director-general of Estonian Border Guard from 1993 to 2000.

In September 2000 Rear Admiral Kõuts was appointed commander of the Estonian Defence Forces. Having been promoted to the rank of vice admiral in 2002, Kõuts retained the position until 2006, when he stepped down to move into politics. He joined the right-wing Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica and successfully ran for a seat in the parliament in the 2007 elections.

Effective dates of promotion

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Estonian Army

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See Military ranks of Estonia
Promotions
Insignia Rank Date
  Captain (Navy) (Mereväekapten) 30 December 1993[1]
  Rear Admiral (Kontradmiral) 19 June 1998[2]
  Vice Admiral (Viitseadmiral)  20 February 2002[3]

References

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  1. ^ "22. Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 30 December 1993. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  2. ^ "38.Sõjaväeliste auastmete andmine". Office of the President. 19 June 1998. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  3. ^ "T. Kõutsile sõjaväelise auastme andmine". Riigi Teataja. 20 February 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
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Military offices
Preceded by
Helmut Kanter
Rector of the Estonian Maritime Academy
1990-1993
Succeeded by
Valdur Aret
Preceded by Director General of the Estonian Border Guard
1993-2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Defence Forces
2000–2006
Succeeded by