The article discusses the methodology of the research, the education of legal literacy of cadets of military universities. The author substantiates the need to use a systematic approach as a general scientific basis for solving the pedagogical problem of educating legal literacy. Based on the results of the study, elements, components, subjects, external and internal aspects and connections in the process of legal literacy education are identified. The effectiveness of the use of a systematic approach that contributes to the consideration of all aspects of legal literacy, from basic legal knowledge to the development of legal behavior and consciousness, has been updated.