November 6, 2025, 12:56 p.mNovember 6, 2025, 12:56 p.m
Poland sees itself increasingly threatened by Russia and is therefore launching a large program for voluntary military training for its citizens.
The pilot phase of the “On Standby” project will begin on November 22nd, said Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz in Warsaw. The goal is to train 400,000 citizens in the coming year.
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.Image: keystone
“We are living in the most dangerous times since the Second World War. There is a war raging behind our border, there are acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea and fights in cyberspace,” said Kosiniak-Kamysz, referring to neighboring Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. That’s why the program was developed. It is aimed at “all Polish citizens who want to take part” – from children of primary school age to employees and senior citizens.
Training modules can be booked via app
The program consists of four modules: Security Basics, Survival, First Aid and Cybersecurity. The training takes place on weekends, and each module usually lasts one day, as the Ministry for Digitalization announced on X. Using an app, every citizen can book the training courses that interest them near their home.
KOLEJNA NOWA USŁUGA w mObywatelu!
Od dziś w aplikacji mObywatel można zapisać się na bezpłatne szkolenia obronne To ważna inicjatywa, która uczy, jak reagować w sytuacjach kryzysowych, udzielać pierwszej pomocy czy dbać o cyberbezpieczeństwo.
Dziękuję zespołom z… pic.twitter.com/I2ZzgYswX5
— Dariusz Standerski (@DStanderski) November 6, 2025
Companies can also arrange group training for the entire workforce. “Defense training is not to be equated with service in the army; it does not end with an oath or entry in the list of reservists,” the Ministry of Digitalization clarifies.
Poland is hoping for more soldiers for its army
The EU and NATO country Poland is one of Ukraine’s closest political and military allies. It also serves an important role as a logistical hub for Western military aid to Kiev. Poland also sees itself as threatened by Russia and is therefore massively arming itself.
According to the Ministry of Defense from the summer, Poland’s armed forces number 210,300 men and women, including 37,000 volunteers in the home service (WOT). The country wants to expand its army to a strength of 300,000 soldiers. In order to get more citizens to take up arms, the country has long been experimenting with short military training courses in different formats. (sda/dpa)
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