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Serhii Leshchenko – Adjunct of doctoral studies and adjuncts. National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine. (Ukraine)
ORCID 0009-0001-2526-5182
DOI - https://doi.org/10.52363/dcpp-2025.2.5
Keywords: leadership, leadership competencies, non-commissioned officers, model, professional training, National Guard of Ukraine.
The article is devoted to the theoretical substantiation and methodological analysis of the structural and functional model for developing leadership competencies among the non-commissioned officers of the National Guard of Ukraine under the conditions of reforming the military education system. Based on systemic, activity-based, competency-oriented, and synergetic approaches, the conceptual foundations of the model are determined, reflecting the interrelation of theoretical, psychological-pedagogical, and organizational-practical mechanisms of leadership formation among sergeants. The model is structured into four interrelated blocks: motivational (aimed at shaping value orientations, intrinsic motivation for leadership, and awareness of the social significance of the professional role), content-based (covering a system of knowledge, skills, and abilities in managing a military team), organizational-procedural (defining the forms, methods, and tools for implementing the competence development program), and result-evaluative (focused on identifying the dynamics and effectiveness of professional growth).
A pedagogical experiment involving 120 non-commissioned officers confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed model: a statistically significant increase in the level of leadership competence formation was recorded in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the implementation of the model contributes to the development of strategic thinking, communicative interaction, self-regulation in stressful situations, decision-making readiness under uncertainty, as well as to strengthening cohesion and moral-psychological resilience within military units. The structural and functional model has practical significance for modernizing educational and professional training programs for the NCO corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, improving mentoring systems, and fostering a culture of military leadership. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of using the proposed model as an effective tool for the holistic development of professional and personal qualities of mid-level military leaders.