# Johannes Kert

Johannes Kert (3 December 1959 – 4 March 2021) was an Estonian politician and military officer. He served as the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces from 1996 until 2000. He retired from the military in 2008. Since 2014, Kert had been a member of the Estonian Reform Party.

## Effective dates of promotion
### Soviet Army

    See Military ranks of the Soviet Union
Promotions :
| Rank | Date |
| Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) | 1981 |
| Senior Lieutenant (ста́рший лейтена́нт) | 1984 |
| Captain (капита́н) | 1988 |

### Estonian Land Forces

    See Military ranks of Estonia
Promotions :
| Rank | Date |
| Captain | 1992 |
| Major | 21 June 1993 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 1 February 1995 |
| Colonel | 23 January 1996 |
| Major General | 4 June 1997 |
| Lieutenant General | 19 June 1998 |

## Awards, decorations, and recognition
### Decorations and badges

Estonian Awards and decorations :
| | 2nd Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle | 2001 |
| | White Cross of the Estonian Defence League (I class) | 2008 |
| | White Cross of the Estonian Defence League (II class) | |
| | White Cross of the Estonian Defence League (III class) | |
| | Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence (I class) | 2009 |
| | Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defence (II class) | 2009 |
| | Distinguished Service Decoration of the EDF | 20 February 2001 |
| | Order of Merit of the Estonian Defence Forces | 18 May 2005 |
| | Merit Medal of the Defence League Special Class | |
| | Gold Cross of the Officer of Land Forces | |
| | Estonian Defence Forces General Staff Cross of Merit | 12 November 2003 |
| | Merit Medal of the Defence League I Class | |
| | Merit Medal of the Defence League II Class | |
| | Memorial Medal "10 Years of the Re-Established Defence Forces" | |
| | NCO School Medal of Merit | |
| | Golden Cross of the Rescue Board | 18 February 2002 |
| | Border Guard Cross of Merit I Class | |
| | Memorial Medal 10 Years of the Re-Established Border Guard (I Class) | |
| | Cross of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly (gold) | 12 June 2001 |
| | Former Estonian Forest Brothers Association Service Cross II class) | |
| | "City locked down" 20 year Memorial Medal | |
| Foreign Awards |||
| | Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland | (Finland) |
| | Golden Medal of Merit Finnish Reserve Officer Association | (Finland) |
| | Order of Finnish Non-commissioned Officers League | (Finland) |
| | Blue Cross | (Finland) |
| | Cross of the Association of Military Guilds | (Finland) |
| | Order of Merit of Latvian Ministry of Defense | (Latvia) |
| | Award of the Minister of Defense badge of honor "For contribution to the development of the armed forces" | (Latvia) |
| | Medal for Diligency in Military Service | (Latvia) |
| | State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross | (U.S.) |
| | CISM Order of Merit Grand Knight | (International) |
| | Baltic Assembly Medal | 25 October 2018 (International) |
Badges :
* Order of Merit of Kuperjanov Battalion
* The Order of Merit of the Estonian National Defence College
* The Order of Merit of the Estonian Reserve Officers’ Assembly
* The Order of Merit of Estonian Border Guard "Sword and Lynx"
* Order of Merit of Defense League unit in Jõgeva
* Order of Merit of Defense League unit in Läänemaa
* Order of Merit of Defense League unit in Tallinn
* 10 year service badge of Defense League unit in Tallinn
* Order of Merit of Defense League unit in Tartu
* Order of Merit of Defense League subunit in Tartu
* Order of Merit of Defense League unit in Narva
* The Board of Elders of the Estonian Defence League member badge