Poland to Train 400,000 Volunteers in Massive Program

Poland is launching an unprecedentedly large-scale military training program aimed at training 400,000 volunteers by 2026. This initiative, which Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz called "the largest military training in Polish history," is named "In Readiness" (W gotowości).

According to Reuters, the program will be voluntary and open to all citizens, from schoolchildren to working adults, companies, and the elderly. It aims to provide the population with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies.

The training program includes several important components, including a basic security course, survival lessons, medical instructions, as well as courses on cyber hygiene.

Poland's Deputy Defense Minister, Cezary Tomczyk, presented the scale of the program for the near future. He noted that "in November and December alone ... they will train about 20,000 people in individual training, but the total number ... taking into account all forms of training, will be about 100,000 people." Thus, Poland is making a clear statement to increase the resilience and preparedness of its citizens against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions in the region.