Second Lieutenant Agnieszka Kozik, currently the commander of a forward observers platoon, was one of the first two women in the ranks of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade. She decided to join the army eight years ago. “At first, you could see surprise in the eyes of most of the men,” she recalls. – “They were not prepared for it, and then suddenly—a woman appeared from one day to the next.”
It was not always easy. But throughout that time, the second lieutenant was supported by her husband, who also serves in the Bolesławiec-based Brigade. The couple met while still at university. They got married and then ended up in the same unit. “At first, we served in the same subunit,” says Agnieszka Kozik. There is no longer any official chain of command between them. At the end of August, her husband left on a peacekeeping mission to Syria. “I want him to come back as soon as possible,” the woman admits.
Second Lieutenant Anna Jarosz has worked in the 23rd Artillery Brigade for a year. She is a legal officer. As a civilian, she completed law studies in Lublin. However, she did not want to do a standard desk job. She completed officer training at the Higher School of Land Forces Officers in Wrocław. In the Brigade, she deals, among other things, with preparing legal opinions and checking contracts. “But it is not exclusively static work; something is happening all the time,” the second lieutenant emphasizes. Morning exercises and shooting at the training ground—she certainly cannot complain about boredom.
Both women readily admit that they adapted to military life very quickly, even though it requires many sacrifices from them. “Contrary to appearances, a lot is expected of us,” emphasizes Agnieszka Kozik.
“Women are perceived as good soldiers,” admits Captain Remigiusz Kwieciński, press officer of the 23rd Artillery Brigade. – “Men treat them like colleagues in skirts.” That does not mean women are not treated with due respect. “Men use vulgar language less often in my presence,” Agnieszka Kozik says with a smile.
A career in the military? Why not!
What qualities should a woman who decides on a military career have? “Responsible, consistent, mentally resilient, physically fit,” lists Anna Jarosz. – “She should also enjoy an active lifestyle.”
Being a woman
“We stick together,” both artillerywomen admit. They have interests unrelated to work. “When we come home, we are no longer in uniform,” emphasizes Agnieszka Kozik. Like almost every woman, they enjoy shopping. They take part in various sports. They cook. They have their own plans and dreams. The commander of the forward observers platoon is preparing to defend her master's thesis. The legal officer, meanwhile, very much wants to be admitted to the attorney-at-law traineeship.
How do they feel in uniform? “Excellent,” says Anna Jarosz. “At least I do not have to put together an outfit every day,” she adds jokingly.
(GA report)