The Command of the General Branches of the Armed Forces Championship No. 1 – 11LDKPanc in completing the OSF, held on 20–21 May 2015, took place this year in Świętoszów. Eight units subordinate to the Black Division took part: the 4th Anti-Aircraft Regiment from Czerwieńsk, the 1st Engineer Regiment from Brzeg, the 6th Airborne Brigade from Kraków, the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade from Świętoszów, the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade from Międzyrzecz, the 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade from Rzeszów, the 23rd Artillery Regiment from Bolesławiec, and the 34th Armored Cavalry Brigade / 11th Command Battalion from Żagań. A team representing the Żagań Training Area of the Land Forces (OSPWL) also took part.
The championship was opened by the host commander, Colonel Maciej Jabłoński, who welcomed the Black Division soldiers to Świętoszów: “I wish you all success. In a sense, you have already won, because by completing this extremely demanding course and exceeding your own physical limitations, you accomplish something that goes beyond the applicable standards. I wish you success in this challenge. I declare the championship open.”
On the first day of the championship, only one round of individual runs took place. Unfortunately, the weather did not favor the organizers that day, and they were forced to stop the competition because of intensifying rainfall. On Thursday, a second round of individual runs and team runs were held.
The final standings have looked quite similar for several years. The leading Black Division competitors usually reach the podium. However, the level of athletes competing in this discipline rises from year to year. In 2013, the best result in completing the Physical Fitness Course (OSF) during the Black Division Championship was 50.40 s, achieved by Corporal Adam Marcinkowski. During last year’s General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces Championship, the individual winner was Senior Private Dominik Gałązka (17WBZ), who recorded a time of 49.76 s.
This year’s winner was once again an armored soldier from Świętoszów. Corporal Adam Marcinkowski won the individual championship with a time of 48.51 s. Close behind him was Senior Private Dominik Gałązka of the 17th WBZ (48.87 s), followed by Second Lieutenant Marcin Kołoszuk of the 4th Anti-Aircraft Regiment (49.05 s). With a small deficit, another Świętoszów soldier, Corporal Andrzej Kanicki, took fourth place (with a time of 49.68 s).
The team standings are as follows:
- 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Świętoszów – 73.59 s
- 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade, Międzyrzecz – 77.78 s
- 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade, Rzeszów – 89.66 s
- 23rd Artillery Regiment, Bolesławiec
- 6th Airborne Brigade, Kraków
- 1st Engineer Regiment, Brzeg
- 34BKPanc/11 Command Battalion, Żagań
- 1st Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Czerwieńsk.
The cups and medals were presented to the participants by Major General Jarosław Mika, commander of 11LDKPanc. Congratulating the champions and all the soldiers who competed during the two-day event, he said: “Congratulations on your victory in this most demanding and strenuous sport, practiced by no one other than soldiers. Congratulations to everyone, because this requires not only fitness and endurance, but also strength of spirit and character. Anyone who takes on this obstacle course also takes on themselves and their own weaknesses. Congratulations once again.”
Colonel Maciej Jabłoński accepted the cup for the best OSF team from the commander of the Black Division.
The best competitors will represent the Black Division at the Polish Army Championship.
Katarzyna Przepióra