He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1955, where he played varsity soccer, became a cadet regimental commander, and was in the graduating class of 1959.

During a year of intense fighting along the DMZ, Nick was awarded three Silver Stars and was instrumental in devising new tactics and counter measures that frustrated a tenacious enemy.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he produced intelligence reports prior to the start of the Yom Kippur War that led to a personal commendation from the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Abrams.

Back home after two years in command, Krawciw was nominated by the Army Chief of Staff to attend the Senior Seminar of the Department of State.

[2] Since he spoke Ukrainian fluently, Krawciw was urged by the United States Department of Defense to become involved in assisting the newly independent Ukraine to establish political freedom and a marketplace economy.

With the approval of the U.S. government, Krawciw met with Ukrainian officials and agreed to help them set up a non-profit, non-governmental political science institute.

[2] At the behest of the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and the Undersecretary of Defense, Krawciw and his wife Christina moved to Ukraine in 1992 where, for a year, he worked to reorganize, educate, and restructure the Ukrainian military on Western lines.

Krawciw assisted in professional development, including ethics, guided reduction of forces to appropriate levels, and identified sound leaders.