TCAG Ukraine: How the Tactical Combat Advisory Group Saves Ukrainian lives

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, technology often takes center stage. At Defense Tech for Ukraine, our primary mission is the innovation, development, and deployment of cutting-edge defense technologies to give Ukrainian forces a qualitative edge on the battlefield. From FPV drones to electronic warfare suites, we believe in the power of innovation to save lives. However, technology is only as effective as the hands that wield it.

While the world marvels at sexy defense tech and high-profile missile systems, a more fundamental crisis persists: the desperate need for professional, comprehensive infantry training for new Ukrainian recruits. It is just as important to the war effort to ensure that a recruit receives the training necessary to become a professional, competent, and effective soldier as it is to provide them with a rifle or a drone.

For many Ukrainian defenders, the transition from civilian to soldier happens in a matter of weeks. This short, often just five-week training cycle is the most important factor in keeping them alive on the battlefield. It is a critical investment in human life that is frequently overlooked by Western governments in favor of hardware shipments. To address this, we are calling upon our community—specifically military veteran volunteers and GWOT veteran volunteers—to support the mission of the Tactical Combat Advisory Group (TCAG).

The Critical Importance of the Training Lifecycle

The war in Ukraine is a high-intensity conflict the likes of which have not been seen in decades. It combines the brutal trench warfare of World War I with the digital precision of the 21st century. In this environment, the margin for error is zero.

Survival is a Skill, Not Luck

When a schoolteacher, a truck driver, or a software engineer is mobilized, they are thrust into a world of sensory overload. Without proper conditioning and tactical grounding, the “fog of war” can lead to fatal mistakes. Professional training provides the muscle memory and cognitive framework required to survive the first 72 hours of combat—the period where the highest percentage of casualties occur.

Training isn’t just about learning to shoot; it’s about learning how to move under fire, how to communicate under stress, and how to administer life-saving medical care to a comrade. When we talk about volunteer training Ukrainian soldiers, we are talking about giving a father the skills he needs to return home to his children.

The Force Multiplier Effect

A single well-trained squad can hold a position against a disorganized platoon. By imparting NATO-standard doctrine, veteran volunteers help Ukrainian units move away from outdated Soviet-era “top-down” command structures toward decentralized leadership. This agility allows small units to make real-time decisions, adapting to battlefield changes faster than their adversaries. This is where the Tactical Combat Advisory Group Ukraine excels, filling the gaps that institutional military aid often misses.

Addressing the “Training Gap”

While Western nations have hosted Ukrainian troops for training exercises, the scale of the mobilization means many soldiers are sent to the front with only the most basic orientations. The logistical hurdle of moving tens of thousands of troops across borders for training is immense. This is why on-the-ground, agile training organizations are vital. They bring the expertise to the soldiers, rather than waiting for the soldiers to come to the expertise.

Introducing TCAG: The Tactical Combat Advisory Group

When discussing the most effective ways to support the Ukrainian infantry, one name stands at the forefront: TCAG. Founded and led by experienced veterans, including the respected and awarded commander Bradley Crawford (AKA Brad Crawford or TCAG Crawford), the Tactical Combat Advisory Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to professionalizing the Ukrainian defense force through rigorous, high-standard military instruction.

The Mission of Tactical Combat Advisory Group Ukraine

TCAG operates on the belief that the quality of the soldier is the ultimate determinant of victory. Under the leadership of Crawford, TCAG has established itself as a premier provider of NATO-standard training doctrine. They don’t just teach people how to fight; they mold truck drivers, students, and other civilians into steel-hard defenders determined to keep their country free.

The TCAG Training Process

O Tactical Combat Advisory Group focuses on a holistic approach to soldiering. Their curriculum is designed to be intensive, practical, and immediately applicable to the current realities of the Donbas and southern fronts.

1. Individual Lethality and Marksmanship: TCAG instructors move beyond the basics of “aim and fire.” They teach advanced marksmanship, weapon maintenance, and the psychological aspects of combat shooting
2. Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC): In a war dominated by artillery, shrapnel wounds are the leading cause of death. TCAG ensures every soldier is proficient in applying tourniquets, managing airways, and stabilizing casualties under fire.
3. Small Unit Tactics (SUT): This is the bread and butter of the Tactical Combat Advisory Group. Volunteers teach recruits how to move as a team, clear trenches, breach buildings, and set up defensive perimeters that are resistant to drone surveillance and indirect fire.
4. Leadership Development: One of the core tenets of Crawford’s philosophy is identifying and developing effective non-commissioned officers (NCOs). By empowering junior leaders to take initiative, TCAG helps create a resilient and adaptable military structure.

Why TCAG Crawford’s Approach Works

Bradley Crawford and his team bring decades of combined experience from the Global War on Terror (GWOT). This experience is invaluable because it involves asymmetric warfare, urban combat, and the integration of various combat arms—all of which are relevant in Ukraine. The TCAG methodology is stripped of “fluff.” It is raw, essential, and focused entirely on what works when the bullets start flying.

How Military Veteran Volunteers Can Help

Defense Tech for Ukraine is not just a hub for engineers; it is a call to action for those who have served. We believe that the expertise held by Western veterans is one of the most underutilized assets in the defense of Ukraine.

For the GWOT Veteran Volunteer: On-the-Ground Training

If you are a GWOT veteran volunteer with experience in infantry tactics, medic protocols, or specialized combat roles, your skills are in high demand. Experienced veterans can travel to eastern Ukraine to work directly with the Tactical Combat Advisory Group Ukraine.

In the field, you will be:

• Mentoring Ukrainian instructors to ensure the sustainability of the training programs.
• Conducting live-fire exercises and tactical maneuvers in environments that mimic the front lines.
• Providing real-time feedback to recruits, helping them iron out mistakes before they reach the zero line.

Directly volunteer training Ukrainian soldiers is a profound way to utilize your military background. It is an opportunity to stand on the right side of history and ensure that the values of freedom and sovereignty are defended by a professional force.

For the Military Veteran Volunteer: Remote Support

We recognize that not every military veteran volunteer can deploy to a conflict zone. Life, family, and health commitments are significant. However, your experience is still desperately needed. Those who cannot volunteer in person can support TCAG remotely by joining on of TCAG’s back-end support teams:

• Logistics and Procurement: Use your knowledge of military gear and supply chains to help TCAG source essential equipment, from high-quality tourniquets to cold-weather gear and ballistic protection.

• Creating Training Materials: Help translate complex NATO doctrines into digestible, visual training manuals or video modules that can be distributed digitally to soldiers in the field.

• Public Awareness and Advocacy: Veterans carry a unique authority when speaking about war. By sharing the story of TCAG and the importance of infantry training, you can help shift the narrative in Western media toward supporting “human capital” investments in Ukraine.

• Fundraising: Professional training requires ammunition, fuel, food, and facilities. Veteran-led fundraising initiatives are highly effective because donors trust the word of those who have “been there and done that.”

The Synergy of Tech and Tactics

At Defense Tech for Ukraine, we often see a divide between the “tech world” and the “tactical world.” Our partnership with organizations like the Tactical Combat Advisory Group aims to bridge that gap.

For example, when we develop a new drone-integrated mortar firing system, it is the Tactical Combat Advisory Group Ukraine that provides the tactical context: How will a squad use this in a treeline? How does it fit into the 5-week training cycle of a new recruit? By involving Brad Crawford and his team of instructors in the feedback loop, we ensure that our innovations are not just technologically impressive, but tactically sound.

The Call to Action: Join the Mission

The defense of Ukraine is a marathon, not a sprint. As the conflict continues, the replenishment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces remains the most pressing challenge. We cannot allow the bravery of Ukrainian civilians to be squandered by a lack of professional preparation.

Whether you are a GWOT veteran volunteer ready to pack your bags for the East, or a military veteran volunteer looking to lend your logistical expertise from home, there is a place for you in this fight.

Why Volunteer with TCAG and Defense Tech for Ukraine?

• Direct Impact: Your actions directly correlate to a higher survival rate for Ukrainian soldiers.

• Professional Integrity: Work with a team led by Bradley Crawford, ensuring that your efforts are part of a highly professional, NATO-aligned mission.

• Purpose: Rediscover the camaraderie and mission-driven focus that defined your military service, applied to one of the most consequential conflicts of our time.

How to Get Started

1. Visit TCAG:  Go to https://tcagukraine.org to learn more about their specific training modules and current needs for instructors.
2. Contact Us: Reach out through the Defense Tech for Ukraine portal to see how your specific technical or military skills can be matched with an ongoing project.
3. Spread the Word: Share this post within your veteran networks. The more GWOT veteran volunteers we can mobilize, the stronger the Ukrainian defense becomes.

In the end, wars are won by people. No matter how many satellites are in orbit or how many autonomous vehicles are on the ground, the ultimate guarantor of Ukrainian sovereignty is the soldier in the trench.

Tactical Combat Advisory Group understands this better than anyone. By focusing on the “unsexy” but essential task of training, Brad Crawford and his team are saving lives every single day. We at Defense Tech for Ukraine are proud to support this mission, and we encourage our community of volunteers to do the same.

Invest in the soldier. Support the training. Help us turn brave civilians into the professional force that will inevitably bring peace back to Ukraine. Whether through tech innovation or tactical instruction, every contribution brings us one step closer to victory.

Volunteer today. Your experience will save lives.

To get involved, sign up for volunteer opportunities on TCAG’s website