Legal and Paedagogical Principles of the formation of Professional Competencies of Military Chaplains: Domestic and Foreign Experience

The war in Ukraine necessitated the introduction of military chaplaincy as an official institution in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which became possible after the adoption of the Law "On Military Chaplaincy." (2024). Military chaplains perform not only a spiritual mission, but also provide moral and psychological support to personnel in conditions of hostilities. The experience of NATO countries shows that the effectiveness of chaplain service depends on proper professional training that combines religious, paedagogical, psychological and legal aspects. In this context, the study of the legal and paedagogical foundations for the formation of competencies of military chaplains is important for improving their training and effective integration into the Ukrainian military system. Taking into account globalization and instability in the capitalist world, military chaplaincy promotes a number of sustainable development goals by strengthening social institutions, ensuring the promotion of mental well-being and enhancing inclusive and fair military structures and practices. The institution of military chaplaincy emphasizes the importance of emotional and moral support during warfare and post-war periods. That is why the article is aimed to analyze the legal and paedagogical foundations for the formation of military chaplains’ professional competencies in Ukraine, with an emphasis on innovative teaching methods and aspects of sustainable development. The article uses the following methods of research: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, dialectical, analytical, analogy, abstraction and generalization. The article is aimed at substantiating the legal and paedagogical foundations for the formation of professional competencies of military chaplains, analyzing educational approaches and international experience for their implementation in Ukraine, with an emphasis on innovative training methods.