Abstract:

The paper aims to discuss innovative career education of professional soldiers and development of soft skills. Its authors highlight the significance of lifelong learning within education policies of European countries. The system of education and training in the Slovak Armed Forces is also based on lifelong education. Furthermore, the authors present specific features of professional military education of enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers as well as officer corps. Nowadays, more and more emphasis is being placed on education and training of officers who work in teams, lead other personnel and make decisions at different levels of command (strategic, tactical and operational).

Having conducted an analytical study, the authors contributed to improvement of military education quality. Following the study results, they drew several conclusions related to lifelong education quality and professional military education and training based on contemporary social and security changes. The authors proposed a new competency model for a commander – leader, which was inspired by the ADRP 6 -22 Leadership Requirements Model. The Slovak Armed Forces might benefit from the specification of basic traits, skills, abilities and competences that commanders – leaders should demonstrate.

Focus on competences in human resources management is a reciprocal instrument (an employer – the armed forces and potential employees – professional soldiers, leaders in particular) that can be used in recruitment. One of the model’s advantages, in comparison to partial definitions in various documents and regulations, is that it can be used in popularisation of military jobs and, mainly, throughout an entire military career.

Keywords:

Lifelong education, career education, education and training of professional soldiers, leadership competency model.