Estonia has had to build its national defence forces twice: Estonian armed forces were formed from 1917 to 1920 as national units, as well as in the War of Independence, and were then restored after the Soviet occupation. On both occasions, the people and the defence morale were there, but the skills and knowledge in organising national defence were lacking.
The exhibition treats the differing challenges facing two different eras, "before" and "after" World War Two in parallel, and provides an overview of the development and nature of military service and reserve forces, uniforms, equipment and armament, military education and training, cooperation with allies, the Estonian defense industry and, of course, a soldier's daily life.
Also not overlooked is a dark chapter in the history of Estonian national defense, namely the Soviet occupation and the resulting liquidation of the defense forces of the formerly-independent state, which ended for many Estonian officers with imprisonment, deportation to Siberia and in many cases, death.
