At the moment, the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine — which includes more than 250,000 sergeants…
Andrii, with the vivid medieval callsign “Baron” from Vinnytsia, has served in the Armed Forces since 2011. Choosing a contract service, at 18 he began his path from a private to the senior sergeant of the 52nd Separate Artillery Brigade.
Over the years of service and participation in combat actions during the repulsion of armed aggression by the Russian Federation, he developed several important principles characteristic of the NCO corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Baron” shared these core principles of a Ukrainian Armed Forces sergeant and his combat path with ArmyInform.
The “old” war of the JFO era was fought with Soviet weapons
“I completed the BTC the ‘basic training course’ — in Desna. It was three months of training, and then you were sent to the unit that had requested you. Since then I’ve been in the Armed Forces till today”, — Andrii says.
His first combat experience came in 2019 during the Joint Forces Operation, when he fought in the Donetsk region. It was mostly a trench war — the memories of which are the only thing remaining, so drastically has the nature of combat changed since then.
“It was mostly a trench war. Our main task was to hold the positions. We were a fire support platoon of an airborne assault company of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, suppressing the enemy with fire. We worked with SPG, AGS, and machine guns of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm calibre”, — the serviceman recalls.
“Baron” did not encounter any Western weapons then — he didn’t just not use the famous Javelins; he didn’t even see them. The brigade had exclusively old, Soviet-made weapons, which, however, performed reasonably well — for that phase of the war, they were sufficient.
From the Air Force to the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade
Andrii speaks cautiously about the start of the full-scale invasion — at that time he served in the Air Force, providing security for key facilities. The main threat in February – April 2022 came from Russian air-dropped bombs and missiles, though sabotage could not be ruled out either.
Guarding Air Force facilities under such conditions was extremely important, as the protection of the Defence Forces of Ukraine and civilian targets — which Russia was striking — depended critically on fighter jets, air defence systems, and other components.
“In 2024, I was assigned to the 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, serving in the rifle battalion. We carried out combat missions in the Kurakhove direction. This is the former 5th Separate Tank Brigade. Now I serve as the senior sergeant of the 52nd Separate Artillery Brigade”, — “Baron” clarifies.
At that time Andrii was the company’s senior sergeant, later the battalion’s senior sergeant. He worked closely with the soldiers. His long service and previous combat experience helped greatly — “Baron” knew what to say to his soldiers and, most importantly, how to show by personal example what needed to be done.
A sergeant is above all a role model
“My tasks were to work with the soldiers, deploy to the point, supply the personnel with ammunition, bring the men to the position, ensure communications, set them up on site, orient them on the terrain, including sectors of fire and possible enemy approaches”, — “Baron” lists the many responsibilities of a sergeant.
From this routine combat work came the core principles he considers fundamental for NCOs regardless of their rank. “Follow me, do as I do!” — he repeats the motto of the Ukrainian Armed Forces NCO corps, reflecting the sergeant’s role as a leader, mentor, and example for subordinates, who leads them by personal example and takes on the most difficult tasks.
“First of all — control of the personnel, ensuring soldiers clearly follow the commander’s orders. This is very important. To do this, you must understand the soldier, listen to his needs and problems. When you do this, the soldier will listen and execute orders.
It can be done only by a sergeant who was once a soldier himself and understands what that means. A fighter must know that his commander has combat experience, that he goes where he sends the soldier. This is how trust is formed. Holding a position is not enough — you must show the soldiers that you deserve to be in it”, — Andrii explains.
He emphasizes that the NCO corps is the true backbone of the Armed Forces. A sergeant can replace a soldier and perform his tasks, support him, and when necessary even replace an officer, taking command in combat.
Words matter, but trust is built through actions
Actions and personal example are decisive in working with soldiers, Andrii believes. They cannot be replaced by any words, no matter how convincing. If a soldier sees a sergeant capable of doing — and doing — the same things he expects from the men, that is what builds the strongest trust.
“Trust must be built through actions. Personally leading people, showing that the commander is not afraid, that he can give clear orders. The commander must explain to the personnel why they are here and what they need to do”, — the serviceman says.
A sergeant must also have an excellent understanding of all weapons used by his soldiers and be able to demonstrate and explain how they function, how they should be used and maintained. Thus, the sergeant is a universal soldier.
“During any training, the commander must demonstrate weapons and how to use them, so soldiers are trained in this direction and can apply everything clearly.
We have a motto: ‘Follow me, do as I do!’ It didn’t appear among sergeants by chance. Because a sergeant, as a leader, must show his skills, his professional abilities, in accordance with the tasks set by senior commanders. A sergeant walks ahead — like a leader. He leads the soldiers”, — “Baron” emphasizes.
“Rise, knights!”
Speaking about the urgent need for strengthening and expanding the NCO corps, Andrii “Baron” encourages soldiers not to ignore opportunities to attend NCO courses and assume relevant positions afterward. In the 52nd Separate Artillery Brigade, he motivates the best soldiers to make such decisions.
“You shouldn’t stay in one place. Most people fear the responsibility of being accountable not only for themselves but also for others — for their comrades, for the personnel. And that’s true because a sergeant carries great responsibility.
But this fear must be overcome, because a capable sergeant is extremely important in the Armed Forces. Perhaps this will sound a bit solemn, but sergeants truly are the backbone of the army, its foundation. Therefore, responsible soldiers should be encouraged to become sergeants, and they themselves should not avoid such opportunities”, — the serviceman stresses.
These words of Andrii, combined with his medieval callsign “Baron”, evoke the actions of the French crusader knight Balian of Ibelin. In 1187, during the siege of Jerusalem by the forces of Sultan Saladin, Balian knighted all men capable of wielding a weapon. This step became a strong motivating factor, inspiring the former commoners to fiercely defend the city.
In the well-known feature film “Kingdom of Heaven” by director Ridley Scott, Balian of Ibelin, portrayed by Orlando Bloom, speaks the following lines:
“Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and God will love you. Speak the truth, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong.
Arise, knights!”
“Who do you think you are? Do you want to change the world?” — the bishop asks him in horror. “If they are all knights now, will they fight better?”
“Yes”, — Balian replies.
