Recruitment for Poland’s new voluntary general military service will kick off this weekend as the government seeks to double the size of its armed forces. The defence ministry has revealed details on the conditions for the year-long service, including pay rates and benefits.
The voluntary general military service, introduced by a new defence law passed in March, is an alternative to the existing two routes into the army: professional military service and the Territorial Defence Forces (TDF, also known by its Polish initials WOT), which was founded in 2017. Compulsory military service ended in Poland in 2009.
Potential recruits can receive further information and apply at outdoor information events held in 32 locations this Saturday as well as at 70 other recruitment points. They can also apply online at a website titled “Become a soldier”.
Ile trwa? Kto może do niej przystąpić? Jakie są wymogi i na czym ta służba będzie polegać?
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Przyjdź na #piknik i #ZostańŻołnierzem
DOBROWOLNEJ ZASADNICZEJ SŁUŻBY WOJSKOWEJ.
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2⃣1⃣ maja czekamy na Ciebie w 32 miejscowościach w całej 🇵🇱.
📝https://t.co/ViNlJMTZ1U
–@tvp_info pic.twitter.com/9zGeDy9NB2— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) May 16, 2022
To sign up, they will need their national ID card, education diplomas, and other relevant documents such as language certificates, evidence of courses completed and their driving licence.
Once accepted, they will undergo basic training lasting 28 days in a military unit, culminating in an oath, and then 11 months of specialist training, either staying in barracks or commuting. Trainees will receive a monthly salary of 4,560 zloty (€982), as well as board and lodging, and may leave at any point.
They will also have the right to paid leave and be able to join the active reserve or TDF. After completing their year-long service, they will have priority in applications to join the professional army as well as for public administration positions, reports Business Insider Polska.
The introduction of voluntary basic military service was provided for by the Homeland Defence Act, which was initially proposed by the government in October but signed into law shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The legislation will raise state defence spending to at least 3% of GDP next year, making Poland one of the biggest relative spenders in NATO, whose members are expected to reach a target of at least 2%.
It foresees the size of the armed forces more than doubling, from the current 143,500 troops (111,500 professional and 32,000 territorials) to 300,000 (250,000 professional and 50,000 territorials). It also establishes a simplified recruitment process, more flexible promotion rules, and a system of incentives to encourage military service.
Main image credit: W. Kompała / KPRM (under public domain)
Ben Koschalka is a translator and senior editor at Notes from Poland. Originally from Britain, he has lived in Kraków since 2005.
