Herem reportedly accepted the minister's proposal and said he is ready to take on the responsibility of the position.

According to Luik, Herem's skills and traits make him the best candidate for the post of commander of the EDF. "Martin Herem is a modern Estonian officer, he is militarily competent, knows the conscript and mobilization system thoroughly, and throughout his long career has proved his capability to comprehensively develop a national defense system based on the reserve army model," Luik said, adding that Herem was the best for the job out of a number of capable officers.

Herem currently serves as chief of staff of the EDF.

According to Herem, the defense forces have made a great leap in previous years. Herem also said that the present commander of the EDF, Gen. Riho Terras, has done a great job.

As even after his potential appointment he would continue as chief of staff, he could only comment on matters related to this position at the moment, Herem said.

The commander of the defense forces is appointed by the government based on the proposal of the appointment by the defense minister, and the consideration of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu.

Herem joined the EDF in 1992. During his career he has also worked at the National Defence College as well as in several positions in the EDF. He has taken part in an operation in Iraq, and belongs to the group of people who revived the Defence League (Kaitseliit) after Estonia regained its independence in 1991.