Nearly 130 recruits have joined the ranks of the Świętoszów Brigade. Their initial training will last four months. They have been assigned to the tank company of the 1st Tank Battalion.
Before moving on to classes at shooting ranges and tactical training grounds, the recruits must learn theory covering, among other things: occupational health and safety, military prevention and discipline, fire prevention, legal issues, the protection of classified information, and medical training. They have already completed their first drills and physical-education sessions, and are learning the principles of military conduct.
On Monday, 9 May, during the morning assembly, weapons were ceremonially presented to the preparatory-service soldiers. The privates selected to receive weapons from the commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General Maciej Jabłoński, were: Marcin Ćwiertniewicz, Wojciech Merunowicz, Adam Zasadziński and Paweł Domański. Despite their limited experience, they rose to the challenge.
On Friday, the recruits will attend classes at the shooting range. Although they will not yet fire their first shot, they will learn about the construction, purpose and combat capabilities of small arms so that they can soon conduct firing exercises without difficulty.
The volunteers had different motivations for putting on the uniform. “I was driven by patriotic motives, stable employment and the opportunity for development,” said Private Recruit Rafał Józefowski. Private Recruit Piotr Wilczyński said: “I am one of the first generations not to have been subject to compulsory military service, but I believe that every man should join the army. Until now, I pursued my interest in military matters through involvement in various pro-defense associations. I was commander of Krakow’s Academic Legion and trained my colleagues, so I wanted to be more credible and experience military life firsthand. I am also a university lecturer, teaching subjects related to national security, and I want to be more professional in what I do.”
Some made their decision quickly, while others, like Private Recruit Damian Sobala, had been planning a military career for several years: “I have been exercising and training for two years in order to become a soldier.”
During Wednesday’s classes, the recruits were visited by the commander of the 10BKPanc, Brigadier General Maciej Jabłoński, who welcomed them into the armored family, summed up their first week of training, and encouraged the young soldiers to serve diligently and engage in their daily activities.
Capt. Adriana Wołyńska/ii