Tactical Combat Advisory Group (TCAG) – Complete Unit History
Founding and Purpose
The Tactical Combat Advisory Group was founded in early 2022 at the onset of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. The organization was established by Bradley “Top” Crawford, a retired United States Army veteran whose background includes advanced instructor training, unit development, and combat advising roles across multiple operational theaters. TCAG grew from volunteers who initially served inside the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, where several members were selected to serve as platoon leaders and later company commanders in newly formed Ukrainian Legion units. The practical leadership gained while embedded with Ukrainian units in those early days proved the need for a persistent, structured training partner. From the start, TCAG’s mission was to train, advise, and assist Ukrainian forces from inside the Ukrainian defense system rather than from the outside.
TCAG has always operated as an unpaid, self funded, and independent volunteer organization. Members receive no salaries or compensation and cover their own travel and living expenses while deployed. The group accepts occasional donations only for fuel, training aids, and supplies that directly support Ukrainian soldiers and instructors. Every volunteer serves under Ukrainian command and in compliance with applicable regulations. The organization follows the principle Action, Not Words, and that ethic continues to guide all operations.
Mission and Mandate
TCAG operates as a not for profit, not under government control volunteer organization dedicated to improving combat readiness, training standards, and survivability across the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The group functions strictly within Ukrainian law and in full compliance with United States ITAR and Department of State regulations where applicable. TCAG’s work resembles humanitarian assistance through training, focusing on saving lives by improving skills, discipline, and unit cohesion.
Mission objectives:
• To train Ukrainian soldiers and instructors in advanced combat skills, tactical development, and modern battlefield methods.
• To advise Ukrainian commanders at multiple echelons from platoon to brigade.
• To build sustainable Ukrainian training systems that continue to operate after international volunteers depart.
These objectives guide every TCAG operation and partnership.
Early Operations (2022)
National Level Advisory Work in Kyiv
At the beginning of the full scale invasion, Mr. Crawford was called to Kyiv to help address urgent national level challenges involving mobilization, force regeneration, and training reform. He worked directly with President Zelensky’s mobilization group, members of the Verkhovna Rada, and senior officials within the Ministry of Defense. The focus was to improve mobilization efficiency, rebuild depleted units, and stabilize Ukraine’s ability to generate combat ready soldiers. The work revealed significant systemic gaps in training structure, instructor development, and soldier preparation that required long term solutions.
This period clarified the scale of the training challenge and shaped TCAG’s strategic approach. The lessons learned in Kyiv informed program design, doctrine templates, and the prioritization of instructor development. This national level work established the blueprint that TCAG would implement across the country.
Early Operations in Mykolaiv and a Russian Assassination Attempt (2022)
After Kyiv, Mr. Crawford moved to Mykolaiv to begin the first field training and advisory missions that would define TCAG’s operational identity. Mykolaiv was among the most heavily targeted cities in southern Ukraine and endured constant artillery, rocket, aviation, and missile attacks. During this period he also served as a senior advisor to the Commander of the Ukrainian Marine Corps and the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, providing guidance on force regeneration, unit rebuilding, and the development of combat effective formations. This work established TCAG’s long term mission focus on structured and survivability based soldier development.
Training took place in basements, bunkers, forest belts, trenches, and damaged neighborhoods where instruction was frequently interrupted by incoming fire. Courses emphasized trench warfare, movement under fire, small unit tactics, marksmanship, and battlefield medicine. In mid 2022 Russian forces carried out a deliberate Kalibr missile strike that detonated near Mr. Crawford’s residence, wounding him. He returned to training shortly thereafter, underscoring the commitment and resilience of TCAG personnel. The attack confirmed that TCAG’s advisory work was considered strategically impactful by opposing forces.
Frontline Deployments and Marine Corps Reconstitution
(2022)
In mid 2022 TCAG advisors deployed with the 28th Mechanized Brigade, operating on the zero line to observe enemy movement, advise on defensive dispositions, and provide real time tactical counsel. These deployments placed advisors in constant risk from artillery, rockets, and aviation strikes. The direct operational exposure confirmed the necessity of training that mirrored battlefield realities and stressed survivability. TCAG advisors worked shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian commanders during planning and execution, improving situational awareness and tactical outcomes.
TCAG played a central role in rebuilding the 36th Marine Brigade after the siege of Mariupol. The organization designed a 30 day Rapid Tactical Training Program that focused on core infantry skills, small unit cohesion, combat medicine, amphibious tasks, and realistic force-on-force drills. The program transformed civilians and fragmented survivors into combat ready Marines in a compressed time frame. By late 2022 more than 1,000 Marines had completed the program, demonstrating the effectiveness of condensed, combat focused training.
Expansion and Nationwide Impact (2023–2024)
Throughout 2023 and 2024 TCAG scaled its mission nationally, training more than 22 brigades and supporting multiple national training centers. Advisors worked across regions, including Mykolaiv, Kramatorsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson region, and central Ukraine. Training cycles ranged from rear area professionalization to near frontline tactical instruction, always adapted to local operational needs. The consistent provision of instruction improved unit readiness, reduced basic errors, and increased survivability across many formations.
During operations in Kramatorsk TCAG instructors conducted live training while under artillery and drone attack. Despite repeated enemy action, every planned training event was completed and measurable improvements in soldier performance followed. TCAG’s dependability earned trust from brigade level commanders and expanded access to additional units and training centers.
Major Commands and Units Supported:
General Staff J-7 Directorate
National Defense University of Ukraine
199th Airborne Training Center
241st Marine Training Center
Mykolaiv Combined Arms Training Center
79th Airborne Brigade
79th Border Guard Detachment
36th Marine Brigade
35th Marine Brigade
32nd Artillery Brigade
28th Mechanized Brigade
1st Separate Feodosia Battalion of Marines
501st Separate Marine Battalion
17th Tank Brigade
126th Territorial Defense Brigade
39th Coastal Defense Brigade
11th Brigade, National Guard of Ukraine
Mykolaiv Special Police
Several additional units remain unnamed for operational security.
The Instructor Revolution (2024–2025)
Recognizing that Ukraine’s long term success depends on the quality of its instructors, TCAG developed and implemented a nationwide Instructor Development Program based on United States Army and NATO training doctrine. The program emphasized classroom management, learning theory, instructional methods, communication skills, command presence, tactical theory, and after action review procedures. Mr. Crawford and senior TCAG staff delivered guest lectures at the National Defense University and at multiple brigade training schools, providing battlefield proven methods and practical classroom techniques.
Hundreds of Ukrainian instructors completed the program and began applying consistent pedagogical standards across their brigades. The initiative created a new generation of professional military educators and reduced the training variance that had plagued wartime mobilization. The Instructor Revolution established sustainable, repeatable, and locally executable training standards that strengthened Ukraine’s long term training capacity.
Doctrine, Tools, and Long Term Capacity Building (2024-2025)
TCAG produced doctrine templates, structured lesson plans, training checklists, and performance evaluation tools to help brigades institutionalize training standards. These resources enabled commanders to track progress, enforce requirements, and improve unit accountability. TCAG also assisted with the establishment of internal training commands capable of continuing instruction without external advisors. The result was a measurable increase in unit self sufficiency and the ability to regenerate combat power in sustained conflict.
TCAG’s doctrinal contributions focused on survivability, small unit cohesion, realistic repetition, and instructor development, ensuring that lessons learned in the field were codified and taught consistently across diverse formations.
Partnerships and Recognition (2025)
TCAG maintains close working relationships with Ukrainian military and educational institutions and with international veteran networks. Key partners include the Ukrainian Marine Corps Command, the General Staff J-7 Directorate, and the National Defense University of Ukraine. The organization has received official letters of cooperation, commendations, and authorization documents from multiple Ukrainian commands validating the legality and importance of its work. International partners and veteran networks have also recognized TCAG’s contributions and professional standards.
The group’s reputation was earned through consistent presence, professionalism, and a willingness to train under the same battlefield conditions faced by Ukrainian soldiers. This trust allowed TCAG to expand its mission and influence across multiple operational sectors.
Legacy and Impact (2022-2026)
Since 2022 TCAG has trained more than 5,500 Ukrainian soldiers across Marines, airborne, mechanized, artillery, tank, and territorial defense units. The organization’s integrated model of foreign advisors working shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian instructors ensured that every skill taught was immediately applicable and locally sustainable. TCAG’s training has directly improved survivability, discipline, and combat effectiveness, and it has been credited by many soldiers as life saving.
Every platoon trained, every instructor certified, and every unit that improved its readiness reflects TCAG’s mission success. The organization prioritized results over publicity and built a lasting institutional legacy inside the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Motto and Ethos
“Action, Not Words / Acta Non Verba.”
TCAG’s culture is rooted in discipline, humility, and continuous action alongside Ukrainian soldiers. The group measures success by improved outcomes on the battlefield and by the enhanced survival of the soldiers it trains.
Current Status (2026)
As of 2026 TCAG continues to operate inside Ukraine under the leadership of Bradley “Top” Crawford. The organization remains unpaid, self funded, and independent while advising frontline brigades and national training centers. TCAG continues to develop doctrine, train instructors, and assist commanders in establishing sustainable internal training systems. Its record of instructional excellence under fire has made it one of the most trusted volunteer advisory groups operating within Ukraine today. TCAG remains prepared to continue this work for as long as Ukraine requires experienced advisors.