The Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasize the combination of combat experience of professional military personnel with the competencies of civilian specialists. Citizens of Ukraine with higher education who have been mobilized have the opportunity to obtain the primary officer rank of “junior lieutenant” through a simplified mechanism. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense on March 18.
One of the main advantages of the updated procedure is that it does not require the mandatory conclusion of a long-term contract.
“Officers who received the rank during mobilization serve until the end of martial law. After that, they can demobilize and return to civilian work,” the message says.
There are two ways to obtain an officer rank. The first option involves training: servicemen with a bachelor’s degree take intensive, multi-month tactical-level courses (L-1A or L-1B), and then receive an appointment to an officer position.
The second way is direct appointment. For specialists with a master’s degree and at least two years of proven management experience, an accelerated procedure is provided. They can receive the rank of “junior lieutenant” and be appointed to a management position with a higher staff category even before completing the courses, using their management skills now. Such officers will undergo training later, during their service.
The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the assignment of the primary officer rank opens up prospects for further development in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Servicemen can complete the following levels of professional military education (L-1C, L-2), gain command experience, and advance in rank to lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain, and higher,” — the Ministry of Defense emphasized.
