MOBILE LESSONS LEARNED TEAMS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE: ADAPTATIONS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE WAR (2014–2024)
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Published:
Apr 1, 2025
Abstract
Abstract. The paper examines the employment of mobile lessons learned teams within the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War (2014–2024). These squads served as integral components of two successive learning systems and evolved through two phases: Formation (2014–2018) and Modernization (2019–present). The article explores the establishment of these groups and the development of their operational methodologies. It analyzes the specific roles these teams have played in learning processes, emphasizing their pioneering contributions to enhancing the lessons learned capability. Notably, these squads have been instrumental in ensuring the timely and high-quality analysis of critical combat experiences. Historical research of various categories of mobile lessons learned teams in the UAF and leading global militaries has been conducted, highlighting innovative approaches of the Ukrainian squads. The study proposes a classification of these groups based on their functional purposes, identifying three types: Collect and analyse observations; Supervise and assist in lessons implementation; and Monitor and evaluate the learning process. The findings include recommendations for improving the operational efficiency of these teams.
How to Cite
Pashchuk, Y. (2025). MOBILE LESSONS LEARNED TEAMS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE: ADAPTATIONS AND INNOVATIONS IN THE WAR (2014–2024). Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (1), 219-229. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2025-1-25
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Keywords
organizational learning, lesson identified, lesson learned, best practice, lesson analysis, experience implementation, NATO.
References
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26. SOP 2014. Tymchasova instruktsiia kerivnykam orhaniv viiskovoho upravlinnia ta komandyram viiskovykh chastyn po vyvchenniu, uzahalnenniu ta vprovadzhenniu dosvidu zastosuvannia viisk (syl) v Antyterorystychnii operatsii [Temporary Standard Operating Procedures to heads of military command and control bodies and commanders of military units on studying, summarizing, and implementing the experiences of troops (forces) in the Anti-Terrorist Operation]. Heneralnyi shtab Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy. 9 serpnia 2014 r. 5 s. [In Ukrainian].
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2. AR 2006. Army Regulation 11–33 AR 2006. Army Lessons Learned Program (ALLP). Department of the Army, Washington, DC, 17 October 2006. 22 p.
3. Army SOP 2023. Tymchasova instruktsiia z vyvchennia ta vprovadzhennia dosvidu v Sukhoputnykh viiskakh Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy [Temporary instruction on the study and implementation of experiences in the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]. SVP 7-00(162), 19.09.2023 r. 113 s. [In Ukrainian].
4. Army SOP MLLT 2023. Tymchasova instruktsiia z orhanizatsii diialnosti robochoi (mobilnoi) hrupy z vyvchennia ta vprovadzhennia dosvidu v Sukhoputnykh viiskakh Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy [Temporary instructions for organizing the activities of the working (mobile) group for studying and implementing experiences in the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]. SVP 7-00(162). 25.01.2023 r. 20 s. [In Ukrainian].
5. Cyert, R., March, J. (1963). A Behavioral Theory of the Firm. Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1963. 332 p.
6. Dixon, N. (2011). A Model Lessons Learned System – The US Army. 2011 Best Practices for Government Libraries. E-Initiatives and e‑Efforts: Expanding our Horizons. LexisNexis, 227-231 URL: http://www.lexisnexis.com/tsg/gov/best_ practices_ 2011.pdf.
7. Doctrine 2020. Doktryna z vyvchennia ta vprovadzhennia dosvidu u Zbroinykh Sylakh Ukrainy [Lessons Learned Doctrine in the Armed Forces of Ukraine]. VKP 7-00(01).01. Zatverdzhena nachalnykom Heneralnoho shtabu Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy 30.06.2020 r. Vykh. № 1928/NVHSh vid 03.07.2020 r. 30 s. [In Ukrainian].
8. Dyson, T. (2019). Organizational Learning and the Modern Army: A New Model for Lessons-Learned Processes. Abingdon: Routledge.
9. Dyson, T. (2020). A revolution in military learning? Cross-functional teams and knowledge transformation by lessons-learned processes. European Security. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/09662839.2020.1795835.
10. Dyson, T., Pashchuk, Y. (2022). Organizational learning during the Donbas War: the development of Ukrainian Armed Forces lessons-learned processes. Defence Studies. Volume 22, 2022. Issue 2: 141-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/14702436. 2022.2037427.
11. Henke, J., Krachenberg, A., Lyons, T. (1993). Cross-functional teams: good concept, poor implementation. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 1993, 10: 216-229.
12. Holland, S., Gaston, K., Gomes, J. (2000). Critical success factors for cross-functional teamwork in new product development. International journal of management reviews, 2 (3), 231-259.
13. Milton, N. (2010). The Lessons Learned Handbook: Practical approaches to learning from experience. Chandos Publishing, 1st Edition, 2010, 383 р. ISBN 978843345879.
14. MSR 2018. Naukovo-doslidna robota, shyfr «DOSVID-A», 2018. [Military Scientific Research, final report, code “DOSVID-A”, 2018]. Zvit zakliuchnyi. Derzhavna reiestratsiia № 0118u000090d. Lviv: NASV, 2018 r. 92 s. [In Ukrainian].
15. MSR 2020. Naukovo-doslidna robota, shyfr «DOSVID-ZSV», 2020 [Military Scientific Research, final report, code «DOSVID-ZSV», 2020]. Zvit zakliuchnyi. Derzhavna reiestratsiia № 0120u102708. Lviv: NASV, 2020 r. 126 s. [in Ukrainian].
16. Murray, W. (2011). Military Adaptation in War: With Fear of Change. New York: Cambridge University Press, 10 Oct 2011, 352 p.
17. NATO 2011. The NATO Lessons Learned Handbook. NATO Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre. Second Edition. September 2011. 70 p.
18. NATO 2016. Joint Analysis Handbook, 4th Edition, 2016. Lisbon: Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre. 135 p.
19. NATO 2020. NATO Representation to Ukraine. Letter NRU 2020/082, Kyiv, Ukraine, 21 August 2020. 10 p.
20. NATO 2022. The NATO Lessons Learned Handbook. NATO Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre. Fourth Edition. June 2022. 59 p.
21. OT 1580/NOV 2014. Propozytsii shchodo roboty operatyvnykh hrup uzahalnennia dosvidu pidhotovky ta zastosuvannia Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy [Proposals for the operation of working groups to summarize the experience of training and employment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine]. Lviv: ASV, 2014. Vykh. 1580/NOV vid 30.05.2014 r. Zghidno z rozporiadzhenniam nachalnyka Voiennonaukovoho upravlinnia HSh ZSU 322/41 vid 24.03.2014 r. 28 s. [In Ukrainian].
22. OT 12/NOV 2015. Vidomosti pro stan naukovoi roboty v Akademii sukhoputnykh viisk iz vyvchennia dosvidu uchasti Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy v boiovykh diiakh pid chas provedennia Antyterorystychnoi operatsii [Information on the state of scientific work at the Army Academy to study the combat experiences of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation]. Lviv: ASV, 2015. Vykh. 12/NOV vid 03.02.2015 r. Zghidno z rozporiadzhenniam nachalnyka HSh ZSU 28699/5 vid 16.12.2014 r. 17 s. [In Ukrainian].
23. OT 297/NOV 2019. Propozytsii do Metodyky vyvchennia ta vprovadzhennia dosvidu v Zbroinykh Sylakh Ukrainy, do tabelia terminovykh donesen [Proposals to the methodology for the study and implementation of experiences in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Recommendations to the list of urgent lessons learned reports]. Lviv: NASV, 2019. Vykh. 297/NOV vid 01.11.2019 r. Zghidno z rozporiadzhenniam Komanduvacha Sukhoputnykh viisk ZSU 116/7/2/3582 vid 18.03.2019 r. 178 s. [In Ukrainian].
24. Pashchuk, Y., Salnyk Y., Pashchuk, N. (2015). Metodyka roboty operatyvnykh hrup vyvchennia dosvidu zastosuvannia Sukhoputnykh viisk Ukrainy v Antyterorystychnii operatsii [Methodology of operation of mobile lessons learned teams of the Ukrainian Land Forces in the Anti-Terrorist Operation]. Viiskovo-tekhnichnyi zbirnyk Akademii sukhoputnykh viisk. ASV, Lviv, Vol. 13/2015, 127-133. https://doi.org/10.33577/2312-4458.13.2015.127-133. [In Ukrainian].
25. Pashchuk, Y. (2024). Comparative military-historical research of systems of study, implementation, and dissemination of experience in the Soviet Armed Forces in World War II and the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (2014–2018). Military History Bulletin. Vol. 1(51), Kyiv, NUOU, 2024, 52-60. https://doi.org/10.33099/2707-1383-2024-51-1-52-60.
26. SOP 2014. Tymchasova instruktsiia kerivnykam orhaniv viiskovoho upravlinnia ta komandyram viiskovykh chastyn po vyvchenniu, uzahalnenniu ta vprovadzhenniu dosvidu zastosuvannia viisk (syl) v Antyterorystychnii operatsii [Temporary Standard Operating Procedures to heads of military command and control bodies and commanders of military units on studying, summarizing, and implementing the experiences of troops (forces) in the Anti-Terrorist Operation]. Heneralnyi shtab Zbroinykh Syl Ukrainy. 9 serpnia 2014 r. 5 s. [In Ukrainian].
27. SOP 2020. Tymchasova instruktsiia vyvchennia ta vprovadzhennia dosvidu u Zbroinykh Sylakh Ukrainy [Temporary Lessons Learned Standard Operating Procedures in the Armed Forces of Ukraine]. VKDP 7-00(01).01. 15 lypnia 2020 r. 72 s. [In Ukrainian].