Monday, January 7, was an extremely important day for the soldiers undergoing basic training. That was when they began three months of military service, which would consist of uninterrupted training under the supervision of experienced commanding personnel from the unit in Świętoszów.
Seven days later, on January 14, the day came when the commander of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade presented weapons to the recruits from the basic training company. A weapon that is a soldier’s most important tool and attribute. A weapon that from then on they would use during training and, if necessary, also in the defense of their homeland.
Along with their assigned weapons, the soldiers also received an enormous vote of confidence and were thereby entrusted with great responsibility. Over the next several months, they would train to learn how to properly use this most important tool in every soldier’s service.
Their duty would be to take care of the weapons and use them properly, in accordance with the applicable safety regulations and the rules that would be presented to them by their superiors and instructors.
Colonel Artur Pikoń addressed the recruits gathered on the assembly square with these words:
I warmly welcome you to the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, which upholds the traditions of the 1st Polish Armored Division. You have decided to put on a uniform bearing the white-and-red flag and a black beret displaying an eagle with a crown, and that entails an obligation. In a few minutes, you will receive weapons intended to serve in the defense of our homeland. I believe that you will rise to all the challenges that await you in the near future. Above all, I wish you perseverance.
After these words, the first four soldiers undergoing preparatory training stepped forward in front of the formation standing on the square. The representatives received weapons and military booklets from the commander. Each of them responded loudly and proudly, “For the glory of the Homeland,” after Colonel Artur Pikoń presented him with his weapon.
The remaining soldiers of the preparatory training company received their weapons from the company commander, Lieutenant Paweł Sroka on the brigade’s assembly square.
In a month, the soldiers will face another important day that remains in a soldier’s memory forever: the Military Oath, when, proudly gazing at the Banner of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, they will recite the Oath – pledging loyalty to service to the Republic of Poland.