This article argues that Ukraine offers a cautionary taleregarding the two main modern models of force generation. Neitherthe professional high-tech war model, favored by Western militaries,nor the whole-of-society war approach, said to have saved Ukraine in 2014and 2022, proved successful formulas for Ukraine. Considering that Ukraineis fighting for survival, with Russian forces inside the country, the failureof both models in action has serious implications for NATO member statesas they deliberate on their choices regarding future force generation.