Zemessardze
Zemessardze is the Latvian National Guard made up of volunteers . Founded in 1991, the organization is part of the country's National Armed Forces and has around 10,000 members.
history
In 1991, after the barricade fighting in Riga and attacks by OMON units on border posts, the newly established Latvian Republic saw the need for a loyal military organization for self-protection. On August 23, 1991, a National Guard was established by law. The organization soon grew to 17,000 men and was expanded in 1992 to include a youth organization, the jaunsardze . After Latvia joined NATO, the fields of activity were adapted to the new conditions. Today the Zemessardze represents a kind of army reserve . In addition to military tasks, social tasks and disaster control are also performed.
Commanders
- NN
- 1998–1999: Raimonds Graube
- 2000–2004: Juris Kiukucāns
- NN
- 2008–2011: Juris Zeibārts
- 2011–2016: Leonīds Kalniņš
- 2016–2019: Ainārs Ozoliņš
- since May 30, 2019: Egils Leščinskis
structure
The Zemessardze is divided into three districts with a total of 18 battalions .
