The analysts from the CBA Initiatives Center conducted a study on the impact of basic combat training (BCT).

The study described and systematized the barriers that complicate the training of cadets and offered recommendations on how to eliminate them.

At the end of March, the Analytical Department of the CBA Initiatives Center released the study: “From Civilian to Soldier: The Challenges of Basic Combat Training in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (as of 2024)”.

The research was conducted by Senior Analyst Serhii Bahlai, Analyst Oleksii Moskalenko and Head of Analytical Department Anton Muraveinyk.

It was aimed at systematizing the typical problems that prevented the effective conduct of basic general military training in training centers.

The key finding of the study is that no matter how ideal the training programs are in terms of content, training centers often fail to implement them.

Inefficient processes, overwork and fatigue of instructors, lack of time for training, insufficient material support, logistical constraints, health problems of cadets, and a number of other barriers stand in the way.

These obstacles were divided into three groups: material (living and learning conditions), communication and attitudes, and organization of training.

During the study, analysts gathered information from five groups of respondents involved in the educational process:

• recruits;
• the instructors and commanders of training centers;
• the representatives of combat brigades (who interact with the newcomers);
• servicemen with combat experience who have recently undergone BMT;
• education specialists (military and civilian).

The study’s recommendations were implemented even before its release to the public.

For example, in late May and early June 2024, the key systemic problems were presented to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the specialized team of the Ministry of Defence.

The recommendations from the study formed the basis of the project of the Come Back Alive Foundation’s Training and Education Department, the School of Instructors, implemented in cooperation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It is worth noting the positive changes that have already been implemented by the General Staff recently.

Among other things, it has been simplified to obtain the specialty of “rifleman” for people with existing combat experience.

This was done in order not to overload the training centers and at the same time not to take people away from combat brigades for a long time.

The full report is available here.