More than 13,000 volunteers have signed up for the new type of service. “We have prepared 15 thousand places this year, but, if necessary, we will increase this number” said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak during a meeting with soldiers of the 18th Mechanised Division in Nisko.

On Sunday, 28 August 2022, the head of the national defence ministry took part in the solemn military oath of 123 soldiers of voluntary basic military service in Nisko. Across Poland, in nine towns and cities, 745 volunteers who had just completed 28 days of basic training took the oath.

Their training included weapons training, drill and military regulations. After the oath-completed basic training, the soldiers can move on to the next stage of service, to the specialised training. It lasts 11 months and is combined with the duties in a military unit. To date, more than 13,000 volunteers have signed up for service (for its various stages).

“You have just become official soldiers of the Polish Army. I am very pleased that most of you have decided to become professional soldiers. So, you will continue your specialist training. Some of you have decided to join territorial military service, so you will serve as WOT soldiers. This is a formula that allows you to combine professional activity or studies with military service”, Mariusz Błaszczak said to the soldiers.

One of the priorities of the Ministry of National Defence is to increase the size of the Polish Army. This is ensured, among other things, by the Act on the Defence of the Homeland. Under its provisions, financing of the Army is increased with the aim to increase the size of the Polish Armed Forces to at least 300,000 soldiers, including 250,000 professionals, 50,000 OT soldiers, and to build new tactical compounds particularly in the east of Poland.

Adrian Andrzejewski