In Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, the first oath of voluntary basic military service was taken by 128 soldiers who had completed 28 days of basic training at the 2nd Mazovian EOD Regiment in Kazun Nowy and at the 41st Training Aviation Base in Deblin. Nearly 700 volunteers across Poland took the oath on 3 July.

By the end of the year, six more training terms will be organised for volunteers of basic military service. The Ministry of Defence and the Polish Army are ready to train 15,000 volunteers for basic military service this year. The Central Military Recruitment Centre has already received 8,000 applications for training.

“Many thanks to those who took the oath today. All the soldiers I asked today said that they would stay in the Polish Army. I know that 70% of soldiers across Poland who take the oath today will stay in the Polish Army”, emphasized Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak.

Voluntary basic military service was introduced by the Act on the Defence of the Homeland. After basic training, volunteers take the military oath, becoming soldiers in the rank of private. They then complete a 11-month specialised training course.

Volunteers receives a salary of PLN 4,560 while serving and soldiers under 26 years of age being tax exempt. During their service, they can improve their professional qualifications, e.g. make a driving license, obtain qualifications for a machine operator or welder, make a diver’s patent and a parachute jumper. He also gains priority in recruitment for professional military service. Those who decide not to continue in the service after the training programme are transferred to the reserves. They are entitled to priority for employment in, for example, public administration.

Adrian Andrzejewski