On Monday, January 25, a ceremony to hand over the duties of commander of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade was held at the military unit. Colonel Roman Kłosiński handed over his duties to Colonel Jarosław Kraszewski.
Among those attending the ceremony were the commander of the Land Forces, Gen. Tadeusz Buk, the head of the Rocket and Artillery Forces of the Land Forces, Gen. Franciszek Kochanowski, Bolesławiec County head Cezary Przybylski, deputy county head Stanisław Chwojnicki, chairman of the County Council Karol Stasik, Mayor of Bolesławiec Piotr Roman, secretary of Bolesławiec Municipality Andrzej Dutkowski, Dean Stanisław Kusik, the Brigade chaplain Sławomir Szelągowski, Bolesławiec County State Fire Service commander Grzegorz Kocon and municipal police commander Emil Zając.
Gen. Tadeusz Buk spoke first. “The position of artillery in the Polish military would not be as strong if it were not for Colonel Kłosiński’s dedication and achievements,” he said.
One of the most important elements of the ceremony was the handover of the unit’s colors to the new commander. The colonels also signed a protocol confirming the transfer and acceptance of duties.
“Serving for more than four years in the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade was an honor and a privilege for me. During that time, I carried out many tasks assigned by my superiors,” Colonel Kłosiński said during the ceremony. “No commander, however, could have completed all these tasks without his subordinates: the soldiers and civilian employees of the unit.
“I wish the Brigade’s new commander satisfaction in leading this unit, and I hope that the Bolesławiec artillerymen will be a model for the artillery of the Land Forces,” added the former head of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade.
“I feel honored and proud that my superiors have enabled me to become the commander of this unit,” said Col. Jarosław Kraszewski. The new commander stressed that he would uphold the Brigade’s artillery traditions. He added that the tasks facing the unit represented a challenge for him, one he intended to meet.
The ceremony on the parade ground concluded with a parade by the subunits.
Colonel Jarosław Kraszewski, a graduate of the staff course. He began his military career in 1988, when he entered the Higher Officer School of Rocket Forces and Artillery in Toruń. He graduated in 1992 as vice-valedictorian, simultaneously earning the honorary title of “Master of Artillery Fire.” He then took command of a fire platoon in the 23rd Cannon Artillery Brigade in Zgorzelec.
He remained in the Brigade until 1998. From 1998 to 2000, he studied at the National Defence Academy in Warsaw. He was subsequently assigned to the Land Forces Command.
In 2002–2003, he studied at the United States Army Command and General Staff College. From 2006 to 2008, he worked at the National Security Bureau. Last year, he returned to the Land Forces Command as assistant to the head of Land Forces training.
He took part in military missions outside the country, including in Iraq.
(information from the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade/ii)