Riho Terras is an Estonian Army general who currently serves Commander-in-Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces.
Education
1989-1993, University of Tartu, History studies, Tartu, Estonia
1991-1992, Officer"s Basic course, Tallinn, Estonia
1993, Company Commander"s course, Sweden
1996, Company Commander"s course, Germany
1994-1998, University of Bundeswehr, master"s degree in Political Science and Sociology, Munich, Germany
1999, Battalion Commander"s Course, Switzerland
2000, Estonian National Defence Course, Tartu, Estonia
2000, Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Policy Course, Geneva, Switzerland
2005, Baltic Defence College, Joint Command and General Staff Course, Tartu, Estonia
2010, Royal College of Defence Studies, London, United Kingdom.
Career
Terras briefly served as the Chief of the General Staff in 2011, until he was appointed Commander-in-Chief on 5 December 2011. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 2015. His military education includes studies in the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom, the Joint Command and General Staff Course in the Baltic Defence College, the European Security.
Policy Course in the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, a Battalion Commander"s Course in Switzerland, a Company Commander"s course in Germany, a Company Commander"s course in Sweden and the Officer"s Basic course in Estonia.
Terras"s civilian education includes history studies in the University of Tartu, and a master"s degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Bundeswehr. After graduating from the Basic Officer"s Course in Estonia, Terras served as a Company Commander and as a Battalion Second in Command of the Kalev Single Infantry Battalion from 1992 to 1993.
Between 1993 and 1994 Terras served as the commander of the Põhja Single Infantry Company. After graduating from the Bundeswehr University (Germany) he served as the commander of the Guard Battalion from 1998 to 2000.
From 2001 to 2004 he served as the Estonian Defence Attaché in Germany and Poland.
Between 2005 and 2008 Terras served as the Chief of the Analysis and Planning Department and as Chief of the Planning Section, Analysis and Planning Department in the Estonian Defence Forces Headquarters. Riho Terras was confirmed on December 2008 as Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence. Terras was appointed the Chief of Defence from December 5, 2011.
1989-1993, University of Tartu, History studies, Tartu, Estonia Assignment History Awards and decorations In addition to the Estonian language Terras is fluent in English, German and Russian.
His hobbies include opera, medieval history and hunting.