75 Ukrainian officers have completed the “Captain’s Training” program and are heading to their units at the frontlines. This systematic training program is based on NATO approaches, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov says.
Officers play a decisive role in battlefield effectiveness, as their decisions determine mission success and the preservation of lives.
Intensive course at edge of reality: 7 days per week
The program is built on real combat cases, from the defense of Kyiv in 2022 to anticipated offensive operations in 2026, and is continuously updated based on lessons learned. The course lasts three months, seven days a week.
Officers master TLP (Troop Leading Procedures)—the process of preparing and planning company-level actions—and MDMP (Military Decision Making Process)—decision-making at the battalion staff level.
According to Fedorov, this training enables officers to act quickly in the face of uncertainty and make well-founded decisions.
Company, platoon, and staff officers operate as unified system with DELTA
Commanders of companies and platoons, along with staff officers, train together to synchronize infantry and staff operations. They use DELTA, Kropyva, and other digital tools to analyze the situation and plan missions.
“Another 75 officers have completed the course and are heading to combat positions. This is the 14th cohort. Since the start of the full-scale war, over 1,100 officers have been trained,” the minister says.
Combat-experienced instructors key to quality training
Since 2022, the Come Back Alive Foundation has supported the program, providing funding, facilities, and housing for participants.
“Our team’s goal is to transform the training system for Ukrainian soldiers,” the minister notes.
A special focus is on drones and unmanned systems, including ground unmanned vehicles. Fedorov emphasized that instructors have combat experience and regularly rotate through brigades to ensure training reflects frontline realities.
Recently, Fedorov visited the “Captain’s Training” course to assess how training is being scaled and identify areas for improvement, shaping a new level of officer quality at the tactical level.
