Tactical Combat Advisory Group (TCAG) FAQ
1. What is TCAG?
TCAG is a not-for-profit, non-government-controlled, volunteer training and advisory organization operating inside Ukraine. Its members are unpaid, former military professionals who serve entirely by choice under extreme danger.
TCAG’s mission focuses on:
– Improving survivability
– Standardizing training across brigades
– Mentoring officers and NCOs
– Teaching NATO instructional methods
– Strengthening discipline and battlefield readiness
– Developing tactical leadership
TCAG exists solely to train Ukrainian soldiers, assist Ukrainian instructors, and elevate the quality of battlefield preparation.
2. Are you a 501(c)(3), non-profit, or NGO?
No.
TCAG is none of these and has never claimed to be.
TCAG:
– Makes no money
– Does not solicit donations
– Holds no legal nonprofit status
– Operates entirely through self-funding
Rare voluntary donations go only toward:
– Fuel
– Transportation
– Training aids
– Supplies for Ukrainian instructors
TCAG never uses donations for personal benefit.
3. Does TCAG get paid or receive donations?
No.
TCAG instructors are completely unpaid and fully self-funded.
TCAG members personally cover their:
– Travel
– Equipment
– Food and lodging
– Medical supplies
– Uniforms
– Transportation
– Operational costs
TCAG has no income and no payroll of any kind.
4. Is TCAG legal?
Yes. 100 percent.
TCAG operates fully within:
– Ukrainian law governing foreign military specialists
– U.S. Department of State rules
– ITAR regulations
– Ukrainian command authority and ukranian Immigration Law
Every mission is approved, coordinated, and legally authorized by the Ukrainian Goverment.
5. Are TCAG members attached to or under contract with the AFU?
No.
TCAG members are not contracted, not enlisted, and not employed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Instead, they operate under the legal category of:
Foreign Military Specialists (Training and Advisory)
This means:
– They serve only as trainers and advisors
– They remain unpaid and independent
– They work under Ukrainian command
– They follow Ukrainian regulations for foreign specialists
They are not civilians, not contractors, and not combatants.
6. Is TCAG a military unit or PMC?
No.
TCAG is not:
– A PMC
– A mercenary group
– A private security company
– A combat unit
– A contractor organization
TCAG:
– Does not conduct combat missions
– Does not accept paid contracts
– Does not employ armed fighters
– Does not engage in armed operations
TCAG is a training and advisory group only.
7. Does TCAG fight on the front line?
No.
However, because TCAG supports real combat brigades, instructors may operate:
– Near front-line positions
– Inside live-fire training zones
– In forward command areas
In 2022, TCAG accompanied the 28th Mechanized Brigade on the zero line for advisory assessment — not for combat.
TCAG maintains noncombatant status at all times.
8. How many Ukrainian soldiers has TCAG trained?
TCAG has trained more than 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers across:
– 22+ brigades
– Multiple Marine Corps units
– Airborne units
– Mechanized infantry
– Artillery and rocket forces
– National Guard units
– Border Guards
– Territorial Defense Forces
– Special Police elements
This number continues to rise as TCAG trains hundreds more every cycle.
9. What Ukrainian units and institutions has TCAG supported?
TCAG has supported major institutions such as:
– General Staff J7 (Training Command)
– National Defense University of Ukraine
– 199th Airborne Training Center
– 241st Marine Training Center
– Mykolaiv Combined Arms Training Center
And frontline brigades including:
– 36th, 35th, 39th Marine Brigades, 1st and 501st Seperate Marine Battalion
– 28th Mechanized Brigade
– 79th Airborne Brigade, 79th Border Guards Detachment
– 17th Tank Brigade, 11th National Guard Brigade
– 126th Territorial Defense Brigade
– 32nd Rocket Artillery Brigade, Mykolaiv Special Police
Four additional units remain classified for OPSEC reasons.
10. Do TCAG members wear military uniforms?
Yes.
At TCAG we issue and wear official uniforms with pride and professionalism. All of our instructors adhere to a strict uniform standard; their appearance reflects our commitment to excellence, discipline, and the professional strength we bring to training Ukrainian forces. Wearing the uniform signals our role as dedicated instructors and reinforces credibility, safety, and mutual respect with the units we support.
– Professionalism
– Instructor credibility
– Safety and identification
– Avoiding confusion with civilians
– Compliance with Ukrainian expectations
Uniforms do not make TCAG a combat unit — they reflect military expertise and training roles.
11. Is TCAG recognized by Ukrainian authorities?
Yes.
TCAG has received:
– Blue-stamped authorization letters
– Official cooperation agreements
– Command-level endorsements
– Unit certifications
– National training center recognition
TCAG is legally welcomed and authorized throughout the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
12. Has TCAG come under enemy fire?
Yes.
TCAG instructors have been exposed to:
– Cluster munitions
– Artillery strikes
– Aviation strikes
– Drone activity
– Ballistic missile attacks
This occurred during work in Mykolaiv, Kramatorsk, Kherson, and several other regions.
TCAG does not seek combat exposure — it is a risk of working near active brigades.
13. Does TCAG run its own training school?
No.
TCAG integrates directly into:
– Ukrainian brigades
– National training centers
– Marine Corps training facilities
– Ukrainian instructor academies
All training is Ukrainian-owned, Ukrainian-led, and Ukrainian-directed.
TCAG only enhances and supports existing Ukrainian structures.
14. Why does TCAG not release all unit names?
Operational Security (OPSEC).
TCAG does not disclose:
– Locations
– Recent units
– Unit numbers
– Soldier identities
– Sensitive affiliations
– Dates of training operations
This prevents:
– Russian targeting
– Leaks of sensitive troop movements
– Compromised brigade readiness
15. Does TCAG claim superiority over other organizations?
No.
TCAG respects all volunteers helping Ukraine.
TCAG simply performs a different mission — hands-on combat training and advisory support inside Ukraine.
16. Why is there misinformation about TCAG?
Because TCAG is:
– Unpaid
– Unaffiliated with any government
– Active inside Ukraine daily
– Working with real brigades
– Producing measurable results
– Following strict OPSEC
These factors attract:
– Trolls
– Jealous individuals
– Russian propaganda networks
– People who fabricate stories online
TCAG continues working regardless of disinformation.
17. What is TCAG’s motto?
Action, Not Words / Acta Non Verba.
This reflects:
– Doing the work
– Avoiding politics and drama
– Supporting Ukrainian soldiers directly
– Focusing on results, not recognition
18. What is the Instructor Revolution?
The Instructor Revolution is a TCAG-driven initiative to modernize Ukrainian military instruction.
It includes:
– NATO-based teaching methodology
– Professional instructor development
– Standardized lesson plans
– Survivability-focused training
– Ukrainian-led training autonomy
Hundreds of Ukrainian instructors have already been trained through this program.
19. Do TCAG members use airsoft weapons?
Yes.
Airsoft and replica weapons are standard, professional training tools used throughout Ukraine. They are employed not only by TCAG instructors but also by Ukrainian instructors at most national and brigade-level training centers. These systems allow safe, realistic rehearsals of movement, CQB, urban operations, and tactical drills without the risks associated with live ammunition.
– CQB drills
– Urban combat rehearsals
– Patrolling instruction
– Safe movement exercises
– Battle drill repetition
Live-fire instruction occurs only under Ukrainian command authority.
20. Was Mr. Crawford targeted by a Russian missile?
Yes.
In 2022, a Kalibr missile was fired directly at his location by Russian forces.
The missile detonated approximately 30 meters from his residence, wounding him.
He continued the mission after recovery.
21. Do TCAG members operate independently?
No.
All TCAG activities operate under:
– Ukrainian commander approval
– Ukrainian oversight
– Ukrainian authority
TCAG does not self-deploy or act without direction.
22. Do TCAG members conduct missions on their own?
No.
TCAG does not conduct:
– Combat missions
– Patrols
– Recon operations
– Independent field actions
TCAG is training and advisory only.
23. Do TCAG members have legal status in Ukraine?
Yes.
TCAG members operate with:
– Ukrainian-issued approvals
– Documented permissions
– Legally recognized status
– Coordination with Ukrainian commands
TCAG operates in full compliance with Ukrainian law.
24. Are TCAG members allowed to stay long-term?
Yes.
Foreign military specialists supporting Ukrainian training programs are allowed to remain under Ukrainian legal statutes and command sponsorship.
25. Do you recruit anyone?
No.
TCAG accepts only individuals who:
– Have real military service
– Possess combat or training experience
– Demonstrate discipline and professionalism
– Meet physical and mental standards
– Understand OPSEC
– Can operate without supervision
– Hold no criminal record
TCAG does not accept untrained or inexperienced volunteers.
26. Why do you train so many brigades?
Because Ukrainian commanders consistently request TCAG due to:
– Improved survivability
– Higher tactical readiness
– Stronger discipline
– Better leadership performance
– More effective training cycles
TCAG’s impact is direct, measurable, and recognized across Ukraine.
27. Why do you move brigades sometimes?
TCAG moves based on:
– Operational needs
– Brigade rotation
– Command-level requests
– National training center schedules
– Seasonal training requirements
– Security considerations
TCAG goes where it is needed most.
28. Do you work with international partners?
Yes.
TCAG works with:
– Ukrainian training institutions
– European instructors
– Ukrainian higher military academies
– Training reform committees
This cooperation supports modernization, standardization, and professionalization across Ukraine’s military training system.
29. Why not show every certificate or authorization?
Because these documents contain:
– Classified unit identifiers
– Commander names
– Operational timelines
– Sensitive locations
– Internal AFU structures
Releasing them publicly would violate OPSEC and endanger Ukrainian soldiers.
30. Why do some people online attack TCAG?
Because TCAG:
– Is real
– Is on the ground
– Does not ask for money
– Cannot be influenced
– Works with sensitive units
– Maintains strict confidentiality
– Produces results that trolls cannot refute
This makes TCAG a target for propaganda, jealous individuals, and bad actors.
31. Do TCAG instructors photograph soldiers?
Only when:
– Authorized
– Approved by Ukrainian leadership
All images are reviewed to ensure:
– Faces are blurred
– No unit identifiers remain
– Locations are concealed
– Sensitive equipment is hidden
TCAG protects Ukrainian soldiers first.
32. Do you represent the U.S. government?
No.
TCAG represents no government, no agency, and no state.
Members serve solely as private individuals using their experience to help Ukraine survive and win.
33. Why do TCAG members stay so long?
Because:
– The mission saves lives
– Ukrainian soldiers deserve proper training
– Unit survivability increases dramatically with correct instruction
– Standards must remain consistent and professional
– TCAG instructors are committed to winning this war
This is duty, not a job.
34. What is the long-term vision for TCAG?
To help Ukraine build a:
– Modern, standardized national training system
– Professional instructor corps
– Survivability-first training doctrine
– Nationwide training manual
– Self-sustaining Ukrainian training infrastructure
TCAG aims to make Ukraine fully self-reliant in training.
35. Are you civilians?
No.
TCAG members are:
– Unpaid military specialists
– Operating under Ukrainian legal authority
– Performing military training functions
– Recognized by Ukrainian commands
They are not civilians in practice or in function — they are military-experienced specialists supporting Ukraine, fully legally.
fully self-reliant in training.
36. Do you provide free health care?
No.
There are no volunteer organizations in Ukraine that provide full medical coverage for their unpaid volunteers. However, TCAG maintains medically trained members on staff who can provide local treatment for illnesses and minor injuries. When necessary, we have access to local medical facilities at low cost or through the Ukrainian military units we train with.
When you come here, you operate at your own free will and at your own risk, no different than any other volunteer organization in Ukraine. We believe in transparency so all volunteers understand that TCAG provides support, guidance, and basic care when possible, but long-term or comprehensive medical coverage is not provided by any volunteer organization in this country.