FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES OF JUNIOR COMMANDERS IN THE TRAINING CENTERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF UKRAINE

The article addresses the issue of developing leadership competencies among junior commanders in the training centers of the National Guard of Ukraine amidst contemporary security challenges caused by the ongoing russian-ukrainian war. The decisive role of effective military leaders in ensuring unit combat readiness, maintaining personnel morale, coordinating actions on the battlefield, and operating in non-standard situations is emphasized. Based on the analysis of modern scientific literature, guiding documents (particularly the Doctrine of Military Leadership in the National Guard of Ukraine), and international experience, the key aspects of leadership development among servicemen are identified. The main characteristics of a military leader are outlined, including the ability to lead by personal example, make decisions under uncertainty, maintain morale, develop subordinates, demonstrate strong communication skills, and take responsibility for the lives of their subordinates. The article presents the results of an empirical study conducted at the end of 2024 among commanders of units of the National Guard of Ukraine. The purpose of the study was to assess the level of leadership competency among graduates of the Vasyl Vyshyvanyi Training Center of the National Guard of Ukraine. A total of 270 respondents participated in the survey. Analysis of the results revealed that over 30 % of sergeants demonstrated a medium or low level of leadership competency, indicating a need to improve the educational training program. The authors propose ways to enhance the professional training system for junior commanders, including increasing the volume of practical exercises, actively applying interactive learning methods, improving the qualifications of instructors, and expanding mentorship programs. The necessity to revise the curriculum structure is also emphasized, with a stronger focus on tactical, firearms, professional psychological, and military medical training. The conclusions justify that the development of leadership competencies among junior commanders should be systematic and continuous, taking into account dynamic combat experience, changes in the security environment, and the challenges of modern warfare. The proposed improvements can contribute to raising the preparedness level of the sergeant corps and enhancing the effectiveness of the National Guard of Ukraine's operational performance. The results obtained have practical significance for improving educational programs in military training institutions, developing methodological recommendations for leadership competency development, and shaping an effective system of professional training for the sergeant corps amid the transformation of the security and defense sector.