On Saturday, May 21, Polish National Defense started the recruitment for voluntary basic military service. On this occasion, military picnics were held in 32 towns in Poland where young people could join the army. “On the first day of recruitment, 1,600 people volunteered”, informed Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak.

“This is just the beginning of the recruitment. By the end of the year, 15,000 places will be prepared for candidates. Next year we will increase this number”, wrote on Twitter Minister Błaszczak inaugurating the recruitment campaign at the picnic in Kraśnik.

“The entry into force of the Law on Defense of the Fatherland is a very important step for the Polish armed forces. We all know very well what is happening beyond our eastern border, we are aware of the threats. These dangers are real. Russia attacked Ukraine, there is a war abroad”, said the minister and added that the best and most effective response to these threats is to strengthen the Polish armed forces. “That is why we decided to start a campaign of voluntary basic military service”, he explained.

Voluntary service consists of two components: 28 days of training and 11 months of service. The salary in this period is at the level of the rank-and-file soldier of the Polish Army – PLN 4,600.

The Polish Army is also looking for civilians – people with particularly important specialties from the point of view of defense, especially divers, parachute jumpers, forklift operators, truck and coach drivers. “We also need cooks, people with medical and legal qualifications. The range of specializations is wide, we welcome everyone who wants to serve the Republic of Poland”, said the deputy head of the Ministry of Defense, Wojciech Skurkiewicz.

During the picnics “Join Voluntary Essential Military Service”, participants could also see military equipment, talk to soldiers and eat delicious military pea soup.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński