[1] From 1971 to 1973, Sergeyev studied at the Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Soviet Union, from which he graduated with honors.

In 1983, he was appointed chief of the Operations Directorate of the Main Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Soviet Union.

[1] In 1994, Sergeyev received an academic degree of the doctor of technical sciences with a thesis on combat control systems.

The number of military educational establishments was reduced markedly from their previous levels, which had not changed since Soviet times.

The Airborne Forces suffered some reductions, while the Naval Infantry only escaped due to their competent performance in Chechnya.

In December 1999, Marshal Sergeyev called NATO enlargement, in and of itself, a threat to global and European collective security and world politics.

He particularly stressed the deployment and use of NATO forces out of area without a United Nations or OSCE mandate as a threat that devalues confidence-building measures, arms control treaties and security.

[4] However, the ongoing fighting in the south of the country caused some concern about his efficacy after Vladimir Putin became president.