After completing their first firing, one of the moments most eagerly awaited by the young soldiers arrived—the traditional artillery baptism. In the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów, the trainees had to prove that they were symbolically ready to join the ranks of artillerymen.
Although conducted in a humorous and integrative spirit, the ceremony has remained an important element of military tradition for years. It is precisely in such moments that a sense of community is built—a sense that later accompanies soldiers during their daily service.
The participants faced a set of well-known trials. There was no shortage of crawling under a howitzer, climbing onto its deck and symbolically paying respect to the “Queen of the Battlefield”—as artillery has been called for generations.
One of the most distinctive parts of the ceremony was also tasting the legendary mixture prepared according to artillery tradition.
The culmination of the event was the traditional knighting. It served as the symbolic confirmation that the trial had been completed and that the participants had entered the artillery family.
Although there was mud, laughter and a little competition, the most important thing was maintaining the long-standing ceremony. Events of this kind remind us that military traditions are not only part of history, but also a way of building the identity of successive generations of soldiers.
For the participants, it was a day that would remain in their memories for a long time. From now on—in accordance with artillery tradition—they can proudly bear the name of artillerymen.