The commandos' military unit lifted the secret to the candidates for service. She organised a training course that showed the challenges to be faced with in the mountains. The deficiency of sleep, the crossing through the ice-covered river and night marches made respective people plan to become a commando, put it on the shelf.
Saturday morning. respective twelve men in trekking outfits, with their backpacks packed to the edges, stand in front of the entrance to the commando military unit's office passes. They're looking around insecurely due to the fact that they don't truly know what they're looking for. Among them are soldiers, including those from voluntary essential military service, subsicks and civilians. 12 o'clock after volunteers comes out 1 of the commandos. He rapidly checks the attendance list and then takes candidates to the Lublin unit.
Selection sample
Commando Military Unit short, weekend training for candidates for service in combat teams, alleged preselections, has already organised respective times. The interest in JWK's offer is considerable, and it is being edited by more and more people. In March 2025, more than 35 volunteers volunteered to participate in the preselection, but yet 20 daredevils appeared in the unit. However, they were not random people. The invitation to participate in the preselection of JWK is received only by candidates who have previously passed the fitness exams and passed the interview with a scientist and are now preparing for the endurance test in the mountains.
– During the selection, we observed very good candidates who, although they were prepared to test physically and mentally, fell out due to insignificant slips. They either lacked cognition or skills. We decided to meet the candidates and share with them the experience to increase their chances during the selection for the conflict teams – Deputy Commander JWK explains where the thought for specified training came from. – We show volunteers what tasks they can anticipate selection, we advise on how to prepare equipment or clothing – says the officer. However, the commandos emphasize that they do not uncover all secrets. – Candidates receive only a sample, a taste of what they will experience during the appropriate field game. It can be said that it is specified a selection in the pill – says ‘Adams’, JWK's selection manager, who has been dealing with both her and basic training of soldiers who are to power sub-units of combat units for respective years.
Implementation: Polish Armed Forces. Written and directed by Ewa Korsak, Magdalena Kowalska-Sendek. Photos and installation: Marcin S. Kopeć
Before the preselection training for good started, each associate had to show the essential documents, including a individual ID and a certificate from the doctor of deficiency of contraindications to long-term effort. – We inform everyone that the medical certificate has a monthly expiry date. Meanwhile, it happens that candidates come with a certificate obtained six months earlier. specified failure to comply with the rules results in the removal from the selection, says “Adams”. Like, for example, losing the starting number. The preselection participants are given a numbered band, which must be worn on their shoulder for the full duration of this training (similar to the appropriate selection). After the verification of the ‘Adams’ documents, he explains to candidates what stages the field game consists of and what requirements the instructors have for participants. He stresses that each volunteer has 3 attempts to get to the unit. – If you feel underprepared, sick or have any kind of sick injury, let it go. There's no point in losing 1 chance if you're having second thoughts. Old injuries will surely renew in the mountains, then your elimination will only be a substance of time – he explains “Adams”. The selection manager besides explains what this weekend training is for, encourages questions to instructors. This is the last bell to refine the details. Ask, due to the fact that now you have the opportunity. For selection, we will ask you questions – he adds.
Start Time
They're setting up in a two-string. Each carries a pack weighing about 20 kilos. The commando equipment was completed according to the list they had previously received from the unit. Now it's time for 1 of the most repeated selection tasks. - Attention, gentlemen. delight unpack your backpacks. You have tens of seconds to do this. Start time – says 1 of the instructors. Candidates occupy the places designated by the instructors in the gym and then unpack their backpacks. - Two, come on. We will not wait for you – the teacher shouts. According to the list, all essential elements are displayed – e.g.: sports shoes, ankle shoes, sleeping bag, thermal blanket, flashlight, spare batteries, water container, notebook, pencil – and candidates lift and show the indicated object.
Instructors besides sensitize volunteers on what they cannot take for selection. These include watches, various types of medicines and athletics nutrition. We have medical safety during the selection. Only a paramedic or doctor can decide to give you medicines, specified as painkillers. You can only have the means to care for hygiene and feet: powders, cream against abrasions and patches," says the physician. And a fewer moments later, while checking the backpack of 1 of the trainees from his pants pocket on the floor, a blister of the pain pills falls...
It takes respective twelve minutes to check each volunteer's equipment. Instructors look in the pocket of backpacks, jackets, shoes, carimats. During this time, many questions arise about food rations. Can you take tuna canned meat instead? Can chocolate have nuts, or should it be bitter? Can the crisp bread have any additives? – the coursers ask.
Council of experts
In focus, they perceive to what the doctor and scientist gotta say. The erstwhile warns candidates against the usage of unauthorised anabolics, tells how crucial it is to take care of body termics and hygiene, as well as appropriate rationing of water and food. – Adrenaline will surely do its occupation and despite the large effort you will not feel hungry. Don't let it fool you. You must eat so that there is no fainting – he warns “Mazi”. He besides advises candidates not to bring advanced mineralized water with various additives, especially erstwhile they have never had 1 before. – We have already had specified cases, and they always end in the same way: proliferation, and consequently weakening or dehydration and resignation from selection – says the physician. In turn, the scientist explains to the candidates how crucial it is to have a affirmative attitude to choice the importance of motivation in the recruitment process. – A physically strong candidate with mediocre motivation has little chance of completing the selection than the seemingly weaker one, and with a strong psyche, comments “Adams”.
After the lectures, time speeds up. Candidates march under a 12-meter tower. They wear harnesses, helmets, and then 1 by 1 they climb up the speleological ladder. The seemingly simple task of any is difficult. They don't know the right technique, and alternatively of utilizing their leg strength, they pull up on the ladder on their hands. However, they perceive to the instructor’s suggestions and draw conclusions and learn from the mistakes of their colleagues. – This is simply a good exercise for them, due to the fact that not everyone has the chance in preparation to usage the speleo ladder. Then they will work on the line bridge – says the selection manager.
Water Hop
As the sun leans toward the west, they leave the walls of the Commando Military Unit. They decision fast into the field, where the next tasks await them. First of all, the water crossing. Coursers are surprised, especially as the surface of the water is covered with ice. But no 1 discusses. They rapidly undress into their underwear, pack all their equipment into cross-country bags, and then dip in ice-cold water. The candidate with number 30 performs the first task. He's got the hardest part, 'cause he's the 1 who's been paving the way for the remainder of his friends, smashing the kwir. Under the influence of his body weight, pieces of ice begin to crack. The kid doesn't care about the temperature or the ice in his chest. A fewer minutes later, going ashore, he pulls a backpack behind him. Now he needs to dry and dress as shortly as possible.
– I cut myself a small bit – he says, pointing at the chest. Well, individual had to. I'm very determined to get into this unit. I took an invitation to preselection just to prove myself in specified hard situations. I would never have forced myself to do that alone in training. Here I must follow the instructions of the instructors and do all the tasks at the pace imposed by them – he says. He is from Wielkopolska, 2 years ago he ended his service in territorial defence troops and subjected his full life to selection preparations. Last year, he didn't pass his first attempt. He fell out of injury.
Now he takes the challenge a second time. I went abroad regularly to make money there. And then for my savings I rented an flat in the Kłodzka Basin, which is in the area where JWK leads the selection, and I trained there – he says. He did 12 workouts a week. He walked on mountain trails with loads, carrying up a backpack filled with rubble. He besides practiced at the gym, swam at the pool, and cared about his diet. – I have a period to test in the mountains and thanks to the preselection I know what else I can improve. I surely gotta practice with my backpack, not just at the gym. You gotta do push-ups, sit-ups, step-ups. The backpack moves, it is uncomfortable, which is an additional obstacle – emphasizes candidate with number 30. But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. At night, respective candidates resign from further participation in preselection.
I can do it!
– I came here for tips before the right selection, I besides wanted to check my equipment – says another man. He's just over 20. He comes from Bieszczad, presently he does not work or learn. He devotes his free time to training and preparation for selection. – Instructors give us many applicable tips that will surely be useful. And it is known that the devil is in the details – says the boy. He admits he's learned a lot. “For example, thanks to the water crossing, I know that you gotta have 2 cross bags with you. Just in case 1 of them gets interrupted. Wet things in the mountains are a disaster – the boy admits.
The night of preselection passes very quickly. Candidates on commandos march on Lublin forests, practice in navigation, designation of azimuts, and execute various peculiar tasks, e.g. transport the injured. Long-term marches are interrupted by series of physical exercises and short pauses for rest. – Instructors found the most inclined and uncomfortable places in the field. That's where they let us make the carimates and rest. As shortly as we closed our eyes, we had to break off for the collection, rapidly pull up your equipment and decision on – 1 of the volunteers reported. After sunrise, they do their last job. In pairs they must carry most likely 100 kg wooden beams. It wasn't easy. We've only been gone 24 hours. Real, five-day selection will surely be a challenge. But I am calm, I can do it – summarizes 1 of the students.
The commando military unit organizes preselections twice a year, before the spring and autumn test in the mountains. The results of these short weekend training – as the commandos say – are visible. "It is hard to put it as a percentage, but it surely has a affirmative effect. Among those who number the field game, we see people who previously participated in the preselection – concludes Deputy Commander JWK.
