Recently AUK had the honor to host at AUK Campus Colonel Oleksandr Tonenchuk, a commander of the 126th Independent Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces. This meeting was a part of AUK Talks which brings AUK students and guests to outstanding people who have invaluable experience, shape our modernity, and influence social processes in the country.
Along with scientists, politicians, and economists, we deliberately invite combat commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to communicate with Ukrainian youth, students, and invited cadets. This way they get to know not just heroes, but people who are true leaders and can share their combat and life experience.
Colonel Tonenchuk studied at the US Naval Academy and has combat experience since 2014. He participated in the defense and liberation of the Right Bank, the defense of Bakhmut, in the operation on the Left Bank, and was with his unit in Krynky. Full cavalier of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky and cavalier of the Order For Courage.
During the meeting, Colonel Alexander Tonenchuk emphasized,
"Each of my positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2014 is the acquisition of certain leadership qualities that are needed on the battlefield. After all, the old command templates no longer work - each person who joins the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a person to whom the commander needs to find the key to ensure the success of combat missions."
AUK Chief of Staff Liudmyla Dolhonovska noted,
"I firmly believe that military leadership serves as a model that applies to all areas of life. When a commander talks about the formation of leadership qualities, what principles he sets for himself, how he analyzes his actions or mistakes - this experience can be applied anywhere. Therefore, it is important to invite such people to communicate with young people, because this is how we form real leaders."
Students and cadets enjoyed listening to a person from the hottest spots on the front. They had a chance to ask him a ton of questions, hear advice based on real experience, and receive straightforward answers to important subjects.
We are grateful to Colonel Oleksandr Tonenchuk for the frank, informative, and meaningful conversation!