Mobilization: how to join the military based on your civilian expertise

Due to the full-scale war launched by Russia, the Ukrainian government has implemented martial law and general mobilization. The military constantly needs new recruits, but several factors may deter individuals from joining the Ukrainian forces.

One of the primary concerns is the fear for one's life. In many cases, mobilization is associated exclusively with active participation in hostilities. Understandably, people feel afraid in this situation. Nobody wants to get injured or killed. There is also the worry of how the government will support the soldier's family in case of any injury or unexpected events.

Another reason that can stop a person, according to the head of military recruiting of Lobby X, Oleksii Rudenko, is uncertainty. 

"Quite a lot of obstacles relate to the unknown. That is, where will you get? Will it be a certain lottery or not? In which division will you be, and what tasks will you perform?" he says.

Oleksii Rudenko. Photo from the Internet

Based on Lobby X's research, only 30% of posted vacancies are combat, involving work directly on or near the contact line. Other positions may require purely civilian skills.

"Actually, every aspect of civilian life has its equivalent in the defense forces. It varies depending on the requirements and nature of the job. This is apparent, as this is the military, and things are quite different here compared to civilian life," states Oleksii Rudenko.

In general, people are needed nowadays. Someone with motivation and specific qualifications would undoubtedly be valuable. A person could serve in Ukraine's armed forces even without a weapon. The military also requires individuals who work civilian jobs as IT professionals, videographers, PR experts, communicators, lawyers, agronomists, mechanics, loaders, or drivers.

Several platforms in Ukraine provide a different way of enlisting in the army, such as Lobby X, Work.ua, and Robota.ua. These platforms allow the candidate to personally select their desired division and role for service. The position can range from combat to non-combat.

Enlisting in the military through an alternative path is hardly any different from utilizing modern job search platforms. Upon visiting the website, a person can find a comprehensive list of available positions. From there, one can narrow down the options based on their profession or desired skills, apply for a position, and submit a resume with the contact information.

"The resume will be directly submitted to the division responsible for posting this job opening. They have their dedicated online profile where they receive applications. After reviewing the resumes, they determine which applicants meet their criteria. The team will then arrange an online or in-person interview with the chosen candidate," Oleksii Rudenko explains how the Lobby X platform works.

Next, the candidates determine if the position and department fit them well. They may have applied to multiple openings and should notify the employer of this. For instance, the candidates applied to this military division as well as two others. They may have an interview scheduled with them or are awaiting a response. Eventually, they will decide which one they would like to join.

Once a person has made a division selection, the division becomes an accompanying body. The initial process involves joining the defense forces, which may include signing a contract, mobilization, or transfer for current service members. In the first two scenarios, the division will handle the necessary paperwork, such as a recommendation letter. Following this, the candidate will either be directed to the appropriate territorial recruitment center or arrangements will be made directly with the division.

The division continues to provide support as the candidate interacts with the territorial recruitment center, passes the military medical examination, and is sent to the training center for basic and specialized military training if needed. Once the service members join the division, they may also receive additional training in various technical fields such as signaling, electronic warfare, or analysis.

"Yes, there might be some issues when contacting the territorial recruitment center. However, we always provide thorough training for our divisions on conducting effective recruiting and ensuring that the candidate is placed in the appropriate division. Thanks to our partnership with the Ministry of Defense, we closely monitor and resolve any issues that may arise. In the rare case of any difficulties, we guarantee that the candidate will still be placed in the desired position through Lobby X. If the candidates encounter any problems during the process, they can reach out to the department, and it will be resolved," explained Oleksii Rudenko when discussing potential challenges.

Anyone who meets the requirements outlined in the Ukrainian Law "On Military Duty and Military Service" may use this method. Additional qualifications may be necessary depending on the unit. However, the vacancy clearly states all duties, requirements, and conditions.

Suppose the position is tagged with #training. In that case, the department is particularly interested in individuals with combat experience and limited fitness levels, namely those who are still part of the defense forces but can no longer carry out combat duties. This includes those who have suffered combat-related trauma or injuries and are willing to share their knowledge. Ultimately, legal requirements and the specific guidelines set by each division must be followed.

Someone who has already received a call for military duty can also utilize these platforms. They can apply for the desired position, and the division will see their application and reach out to them. In their letter, the candidate can mention where they are currently in the process, such as completing their military medical commission, receiving the call for military duty, and preparing to start the territorial recruitment center's training in a week.

However, candidates should plan ahead and submit their resumes. Finding alternative ways to join the army can be a lengthy process. Many military units that post positions on the site are currently stationed in a combat zone, meaning they require time to gather the necessary paperwork and become familiar with potential candidates before conducting interviews.

"Over the past week, we've had multiple individuals ask us if it's feasible to apply for a position after receiving a call for military service. We responded, 'Yes, simply select a position and submit your application.' From there, it will be promptly forwarded to the specific divisions you're interested in. The division will then review your application and, if deemed suitable, will proceed with preparing and coordinating the necessary documents for your candidacy," explains Oleksii Rudenko.

This process of joining Ukraine's armed forces is similar to regular civilian employment. The unit receives a list of applicants who have applied for the job opening and reviews their resumes. Then, they interview all the candidates and may assign a test task for certain positions, such as communicator or graphic designer. After evaluating all candidates, the unit makes an internal ranking and selects the most suitable one. This chosen candidate is then guided from the moment they join the defense forces until the start of their service.

How are civilian professions applied to army positions?

The head of the Kyiv recruiting center for the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, Daniil Koval, addressed the question about the current demand for civilian professions in the army:

"Naturally, there is a large number of positions within each brigade. The brigade operates as a large entity requiring material and technological resources. No matter what profession you mention, a suitable position exists within the army."

The military seeks individuals with vocational and technical training in electrical work, locksmithing, carpentry, and plumbing. Even tractor-driving skills can be valuable. For instance, an electrician in the armed forces can effectively troubleshoot issues and handle tasks like repairing, installing, or upgrading electrical systems and equipment. Locksmiths and mechanics also play essential roles in conducting diagnostics, fixing, and restoring automotive or armored vehicles and their components.

"The same goes for the loader. In the military, this role is known as a rigger. Whenever the brigade needs to relocate, receive, unload, or load ammunition, or move warehouses, these tasks are not carried out by robots. People do them," explains Daniil Koval, referring to another job with a military analog.

Agronomists and their specialized expertise should also be considered. These individuals work with maps, and modern agronomists also utilize specialized software. The ability to interpret agricultural land maps and create or revise them is a valuable skill that can be used to protect the state.

Daniil Koval pays special attention to the people who work in the IT field. "If we have IT workers join our team, we will find them a suitable position based on their intellectual abilities and skills. There may be some minor adjustments needed for the software. Still, someone who knows programming, coding, and testing will surely thrive in areas like radio-electronic warfare or intelligence," he explains.

You can now also discover job openings for lawyers on the Lobby X platform. Those with this education will make excellent members of staff. In cases of incidents within the brigade, the lawyer will assist in conducting internal investigations. They can also advocate for the interests of the military unit, handle supply and procurement bids, and resolve any disputes.

Oleksii Rudenko discusses the qualifications needed for Air Force positions: "We were recently asked to fill a vacancy in our air squadron. A non-military background is possible if you thoroughly understand flight coordination. These skills can be effectively utilized in a military context. The role is known as a combat flight control officer."

The key is to have a strong desire to contribute to Ukraine's armed forces. For those with experience and expertise, this is a chance to put them into action through military service. For those still lacking qualifications, there will be learning opportunities.

"In the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, we will ensure that individuals are placed in roles that match their specialties and interests. Moreover, we are dedicated to helping each person find their ideal branch within our brigade. This will allow them to develop new skills and knowledge while contributing to the important cause of protecting and reclaiming our homeland," remarks Daniil Koval, leader of Kyiv's recruitment center for the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

According to Oleksii Rudenko, there are many requests from different press agencies. Specifically, there is a demand for videographers, public relations officers, and communicators. Serhii, who used to work in marketing, shared his journey and how individuals from the media industry can support the army's efforts. He was able to join the military through the help of Lobby X.

Serhii used to work as an SSM marketer and PR specialist. When the full-scale invasion began, he joined a volunteer unit and was stationed at checkpoints, protecting essential locations. However, he later developed health issues related to a previous sports injury, which prevented him from remaining in the volunteer unit.

"After receiving medical care, I began searching for a division that I could join based on my expertise. I wanted to continue the same work that I excelled at as a civilian," Serhii remembers.

This is a photo of soldier Serhii from his archive.The serviceman discovered his current job through the Lobby X platform. Serhii remembers sending out his resume to multiple units for a considerable amount of time. Finally, the 228th separate logistics battalion provided him with a positive response. This battalion, modeled after similar NATO units, is part of the Ground Forces. He is currently responsible for providing strategic support to combat units in eastern Ukraine.

"The recruiters from this battalion reached out to me. We had our initial interview over the phone. Then, in Kyiv, along with Lobby X, the battalion organized a public meeting with the commander. Other applicants for different positions within the battalion were also invited. During the meeting, we were informed about our main responsibilities and the recruiting process. It was a well-planned and effective event. Soon after, we were invited to the territorial recruitment center, where we were accompanied by personnel department specialists who did a fantastic job. Just four days later, we were already at the training facility," recalls Serhii about starting his new position.

To those interested in joining the military, the serviceman recommends not worrying about it not working out on one's first try. He's also been rejected or told the position was no longer available.

"You must keep trying even if it doesn't work the first time. I think I was successful on my third attempt," he concludes.

"We're currently in the training department, which has all the necessary equipment. In the past, we were told that the guys were 'barefoot and naked,' but now we have been provided with a large range of clothing, from slippers to warm uniforms and thermal wear. The officers in this training unit are very dedicated and professional. They are also very compassionate; there's no sense of the 'brutal Soviet military' that everyone fears," says the soldier as he describes his training experience.

Serhii's role in the service will be closely tied to his civilian expertise. "My duties are similar to what I did in my civilian job," he notes. However, various situations can arise in times of war. As a result, like all service members, he must be prepared to engage in combat at any given time. To this end, Serhii receives physical, moral, and psychological training through the training department.

When discussing the necessity of media professionals in the military, Serhii emphasizes that the war extends into the information realm and requires skilled leadership. He explains, "It's become common practice for every battalion and military unit to maintain a presence on social media and create websites. Professionals must do this work."

The soldier states that numerous negative misconceptions surround the Ukrainian army, and it is the responsibility of media professionals in military roles to dispel them. Their efforts contribute to enhancing the overall perception of the army. Serhii strongly believes that the Ukrainian army is not representative of Soviet practices, which must be conveyed.

To increase your chances of winning, consider developing a motivational product, promoting it, or understanding the target audience's perceptions. This is how public relations experts can positively impact the outcome of future recruitment campaigns. Serhii also stresses the significant role of the press department in achieving this goal.

"This is truly beneficial for the family members of soldiers in this unit. Seeing their loved ones on social media through photos and hearing stories from their commanding officers adds a human aspect to the experience."

Therefore, using Serhii as an example, one can clearly see that every individual skill is already an advantage. When utilized correctly, it significantly enhances the usefulness and effectiveness of a person in the military.