One Year of the Adaptation Course for Recruits: From Pilot Initiative to Training Standard

Since April 2025, adaptation courses for newly arrived servicemembers have been introduced in training centres of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Prior to the start of Basic General Military Training (BGMT), recruits attend a three-day programme covering the history of Ukraine, financial literacy, international humanitarian law, psychological support, and legal awareness of their rights and obligations during military service.

The purpose of the course is to make the transition from civilian life to military service structured, understandable, and psychologically manageable. It serves as a bridge that helps recruits gradually adapt to their new role and prepare for service.

The course was introduced on the initiative of Military Ombudsman Olha Reshetylova, who at the time served as the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemembers and Their Families. The programme was initially piloted in one training centre. In practice, such courses have contributed to reducing cases of unauthorised absence (AWOL) in training units and strengthening motivation for service.

Over the year of implementation:

• Since September 2025, by decision of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the updated Comprehensive Adaptation Programme for newly arrived servicemembers prior to BGMT has been scaled across all training units conducting training for mobilised personnel.
• Dozens of partner organisations and public institutions have been involved in the programme. These include NGOs Frontline Reforms and the Human Rights Centre “Pryntsyp”, the Boryviter Military School, the Azov Patronage Service, representatives of the Main Directorate for the Protection of Servicemembers’ Rights of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and legal professionals from the Free Legal Aid system. This has enabled the establishment of a sustainable network of trainers delivering courses in training centres.
• In cooperation with NGO Frontline Reforms, and with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, a handbook for mobilised servicemembers was developed and published, providing essential information on service, rights, and obligations. In addition, a training course was delivered for instructors to strengthen legal awareness among mobilised personnel.
• In response to the expansion of BGMT conducted directly within combat units, the format of the programme has been adapted: trainers now deploy to military units and train instructors to independently deliver adaptation sessions.

The programme continues to be coordinated and further developed, with ongoing efforts to update its content and expand adaptation practices for servicemembers.