«Come Back Alive» and Territorial Defense Forces launched a large-scale project to train officers for the front line 

Armed Forces of Ukraine Territorial Defense Forces and the «Come Back Alive» Foundation of competent assistance to the army have launched a training course for military leaders «Captains Training».

More than 50 unit commanders are already undergoing the training, studying the best practices of NATO member states, taking into account Ukrainian experience. During 2022-2023, more than 1000 officers of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – company commanders and staff officers – will undergo the Captains Training.

The training course consists of blocks devoted to the history of the fight for the independence of Ukraine, theory of military affairs, leadership, unit management, and procedures for planning combat operations. It was developed on the basis of NATO standards taking into account the specifics of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

The instructors of the Captains Training have combat experience and have been trained in the UK.

«The morale and often the lives of our soldiers depend on the capabilities of commanders and their wisdom. Training military leaders and developing a new culture of military leadership will help make us strong and capable. We are starting the training of military leaders of the Territorial Defense Forces – training of our commanders and staff officers. High-quality and capable military leadership is our powerful weapon to deter and frighten the enemy,» emphasized Major General Ihor Tantsiura, Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the opening of the «Captains Training».

«I have been dreaming about this day since I completed my captain’s training at Fort Benning in the United States, – said Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Brigadier General Serhii Sobko, – The knowledge and skills I received then have served me as the best tool for decision-making and commanding units for years. Then I realized the meaning of the expression «a military leader is the one who multiplies force».

Since February 24, the training of personnel has become critically important for the country’s defense capability, says Taras Chmut, director of «Come Back Alive»: «The Foundation has been supporting the Ukrainian army since 2014. Since 2016, our instructors have been training the army in sapper and sniper work, shooting from closed positions, aerial reconnaissance, and tactical medicine. Since 2019, we have also been developing atypical for the military, but important areas of training – leadership courses for officers. The success of the Defense Forces directly depends on how well-trained the officers are in the field. Therefore, the Captains Training will train combat officers – those who make decisions directly on the battlefield.»

The project is also supported by the Spirit of America charitable foundation and the UK government, which helped with the training of instructors.