DIRECTIONS OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF FUTURE OFFICERS’ TRAINING AT MILITARY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the topical problem of reforming the military education of the Armed Forces of Ukraine according to the principles of military specialists’ training in NATO member countries. The main tendencies of improvement of the quality of education within the military higher educational institution are determined. The study revealed that the current system of military education needs improving in the context of guaranteeing its quality. It is noted that proper military education should be considered as a result of military training, and the staff of military higher educational institution acts as a guarantor of its quality. Improving the quality of professional training of future tactical-level officers of the Armed Forces is a significant scientific and pedagogical problem, which involves solving a number of issues, in particular, improving the regulatory and legal framework of military education, intensification of educational aspect of the activity of military higher education institutions and optimization of other ones, etc. High competence and readiness to effectively perform tasks for protecting the Motherland and to participate in international military cooperation are the basis of officers’ professional activity. Ensuring the quality of military education should be regulated by the updated legal framework. To train the officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, NATO standards related to the requirements for knowledge, abilities, skills, competencies of specialists of all levels and profiles who interact in the military structures of the armies of the leading countries and members of the alliance should be taken into account and applied. Taking into account the peculiarities of the modern training of tactical-level officers, as well as the standards of military education in the leading NATO member countries, the following main directions for improving the quality of future officers’ training at military higher educational institutions were formulated: comprehensive consideration and implementation of the models for guaranteeing the quality of military education according to NATO standards; comprehensive motivation of cadets towards professional development; updating the material and technical base of military higher educational institutions; improvement of psychological support; and creation of the education quality department in the organizational and staff structure of military higher educational institutions. Due to the implementation of these proposals, the social status of training at a higher military educational institution will increase, which will contribute to the formation of highly qualified, competent officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who will meet the challenges of today. In general, this will affect the popularization of military education and the general image of the military service. Key words: military education, higher military educational institution, quality of military education, competence, cadets, NATO standards.