The article is devoted to one of the areas of military pedagogy – cadet education. It describes the features of forms and methods of educational work in the Petrovsky Poltava Cadet Corps (1840-1919) – the first military educational institution in the Ukrainian provinces of the Russian Empire. The main activities of the Petrovsky Poltava Cadet Corps were: general and special military. General education provided the study of a wide range of subjects (the law of God, Russian language and literature, foreign languages, mathematical sciences, natural history, physics, chemistry, cosmography, geography, history, legislation, drawing, calligraphy), as well as religious, moral, aesthetic, physical, labor education, contributed to the intellectual development of cadets, the formation of honor and dignity, agility and endurance, instilled noble behavior. Pupils were also taught music (music theory, playing musical instruments, choral singing, secular work and spiritual music). Special military (military sciences, military-physical, military-training) was aimed at mastering the basics of military affairs, practical skills and the formation of the strength of spirit necessary for the military to perform its duties to protect the state. In the first twenty years of the institution's activity, the military element was the main one in the training of cadets, and its basis was considered to be military training. It practiced at least 6 hours a week and spent the same amount of time on fencing and gymnastics. The foundations of military affairs were laid during the mastering of courses artillery, fortification, tactics and military topography. The factual material presented in the article proves that the forms (lessons, additional classes, subject groups, independent work, control test, exams, excursions, stay in the summer camp) and methods of educational work in the Petrovsky Poltava Cadet Corps contributed to the formation of a comprehensively developed personality of the cadet, devoted to military affairs and the state. One of the methods of education in the Petrovsky Poltava Cadet Corps was the method of training. The implementation of this method primarily contributed to the formation and rooting in the cadets of one of the most important in their future work traits such as discipline. Cadets were also taught to read (independent and group). It included: conversations, reading of works of classics, pedagogical situations, educational reading of periodicals with the subsequent discussion. The functioning of cadet corps and lyceums with enhanced physical training in modern Ukraine, based on the principles of cadet education, is the basic basis for the formation of highly qualified officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thus, recourse to the experience of military pedagogy is relevant.