The Department of Special Physical Training and Survival is a core structural unit of the Institute responsible for educational, scientific, methodological, organizational, and sports activities in the field of military-applied sports.

The principal tasks of the Department include:

• enhancement of cadets’ physical qualities through means of special physical training;

• formation of military-applied motor skills, including movement across rugged terrain on foot and on skis, overcoming natural and artificial obstacles, grenade throwing, hand-to-hand and knife-fighting skills, military-applied swimming, etc.;

• ensuring cadets’ psychological readiness to perform training-combat and combat missions in accordance with their assigned duties;

• development of future officers’ skills and competencies necessary for sustaining vital activity in autonomous conditions and on the battlefield;

• organization and conduct of training sessions and competitions in military-applied sports.

The Department of Special Physical Training and Survival delivers two academic disciplines: “Physical Education and Special Physical Training” (PE&SPT) as well as “Combat Survival System of a Soldier (CSSS)”. In addition, optional training is provided in the following military-applied sports sections: hand-to-hand combat, mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing, various styles of wrestling, practical shooting, military pentathlon, orienteering, and the combat army system.

A distinctive feature of the educational process in special physical training in the senior years of study (3rd and 4th years) is teaching PE&SPT discipline according to a block (modular) system. The block (modular) instructional system provides  the division of the curriculum into logically completed blocks (modules), including:

• obstacle negotiation and grenade throwing;

• hand-to-hand combat training, including knife fighting and aggressive close-quarters combat ;

• mountain assault training;

• march training with elements of ski training, land navigation, and counter-UAS (anti-drone) training;

• methods of servicemen’s movement on the battlefield with elements of the combat army system and applied shooting;

• physical training standards;

• military-applied swimming and water survival;

• integrated practical training sessions.

The educational and training process at the Department is conducted by highly qualified specialists, including one Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine, one Honored Coach of Ukraine, five Masters of Sports of Ukraine; three Doctors of Philosophy (PhD); and two professors (associate professors).