The article briefly reveals the main events and circumstances that took place during the preparation and defense of the candidate’s (1951–1954) and doctoral (1960–1968) dissertations of one of the founders of the theory of military pedagogy, Honored Scientist of the RSFSR, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Major General Alexander Vasilyevich Barabanshchikov (06.12.1924 — 17.02.1997). The content and style of leadership of dissertation research of applicants by A.V. Barabanshchikov are characterized.