Tarmo Kõuts
Tarmo Kõuts | |
|---|---|
Tarmo Kõuts in 2019 | |
| Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces | |
| In office 21 September 2000 – 14 November 2006 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | Aarne Ermus |
| Succeeded by | Ants Laaneots |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 November 1953 Sandla, Pihtla Parish, Estonia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Estonia |
| Branch/service | Estonian Defence Forces |
| Years of service | 2000–2006 |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Commands | |
| Awards | See: Awards, decorations, and recognition |
Tarmo Kõuts (born 27 November 1953) is an Estonian politician and former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces.
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.