During the German occupation of 1918, he was one of the main founders of the underground Defence League.

At the beginning of the Estonian Liberation War, Põdder was Chief of Internal Security.

On April 4, 1919, he became Commander of the 3rd Division, where his main achievement was a victory over the Baltische Landeswehr.

In 1926, he became a permanent member of the war council, as well as an active organizer of the Scout Movement in Estonia.

Põdder was a recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lāčplēsis, 2nd class.