Retired Major General Veiko-Vello Palm was born in 1971, and after mandatory childhood and some confused years of growing up, he finally had an opportunity to join the newly re-created Estonian Defence Forces in a batch of first conscripts. There was no turning back after that, and during a short 32 years, he has held numerous positions and tackled most of the challenges. Throughout his career, he has had the great privilege of serving in fascinating staff positions, such as head of defence planning in MOD and head of joint operations in General Staff. But most rewarding were the possibilities to lead people – among others, he has commanded the 1st Infantry Brigade during the time when NATO successfully implemented Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroups in Baltics and Poland (a British-led battlegroup became part of the brigade), and more recently, he was the first commander of Estonian Division. He has also served as the Commander of the General Staff and Deputy Chief of Defence.

After retirement, Veiko Palm joined defence start-up Frankenburg Technologies, a company whose mission – to equip the free world with the technologies needed to win the next war – speaks for itself.

Veiko is the best husband and father in the world, though his wife and two children sometimes express different views. Nevertheless, a new member in the family – a puppy bull terrier – has so far taken Veiko’s side.