Abstract. Military vocational education is a part of the general education system. It faces similar problems and contradictions, that are of unique nature. One of the key tasks of the military vocational education is the training of specialists able to fulfill their professional duties effectively. It requires a special approach to the organization of the educational process and the formation of the cadets’ appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities. The article reveals the essence and content of military vocational education using the example of higher military education in the Rosgvardiya.