Value of the NCO Corps apparent in Ukraine's success against Russia

As anyone who’s served knows, the corps of noncommissioned officers is the backbone of any military organization, and this is especially true for the Ukrainian military. They are responsible for leading and training soldiers, maintaining discipline, and ensuring that their units are ready for combat.

In the Ukrainian military — especially following the unprovoked and unforeseen aggression from their neighboring world super-power — NCOs have played a critical role in transforming a poorly-equipped and under-trained element into a formidable fighting force that has been able to hold its own against the Russian military.

How building a professional NCO corps has helped Ukraine in their war with Russiahttps://t.co/IGb4aFpZvJ

— Preston Stewart (@prestonstew_) March 1, 2023

US and Ukrainian officials have emphasized the role of Ukraine’s NCOs as front-line leaders who were able to adapt and make decisions in the hectic early days of the war, contrasting their performance with that of Russian units reliant on senior officers for battlefield guidance.

US intelligence officials have acknowledged that they failed to see that Russia’s military was a “hollow force.” One reason the Russian military has struggled to win territory in Ukraine is its lack of strong NCOs, which are more crucial than ever to success on the modern battlefield.

According to Michael Kofman, research program director at the Center of Naval Analysis’s Russian Studies Program, “[Russia’s] NCOs are not just there to follow orders, but they are there to make decisions and think outside the box.”

One of the key reasons for the success of NCOs in the Ukrainian military is the quality of their training. Ukrainian NCOs have received training from a variety of sources, including NATO member states, and this has helped to improve their leadership skills, tactical knowledge, and ability to work effectively with their soldiers.

In addition to training, NCOs in the Ukrainian military have also been given increased responsibility and autonomy. They are often the first line of defense in combat, and their ability to make decisions quickly and effectively has been critical in the face of Russian aggression.

The success of NCOs in the Ukrainian military is a testament to the importance of quality training and leadership in any military organization, and it is a model that other countries can learn from.