Chief of Defence major general Martin Herem commemorated lieutenant colonel Māris Tūtins in Estonian Defence Forces headquarters for vital role and effort put into strategic communication field in Baltic Defence College courses and for cooperation with Estonian Defence Forces.
LtCol Tūtins was an important partner to Estonian strategic communication field for years, contributing to joint excercises and leading different projects of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence. He developed the strategic communication modules of Baltic Defence College courses and has continued his support to the college afterwards. Since December 2019 LtCol Tūtins has been assigned to Latvian Joint Staff, where he is the main partner for Estonian Defence Forces headquarters in wartime operational planning.
Estonian Defence Distinguished Service Medal is the highest Defence Forces award. The award has two classes – type of merit for defence, given for services contributing to strengthening national defence and type of battle merit, for actions in battle.