Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Friday in the Sejm that the government was working to introduce universal military training for all adult man in Poland. This initiative aims to prepare the public for possible military threats. But are these plans realistic? And how do experts and opposition respond to this proposal?
Prime Minister Tusk on universal military training
During his speech in the Sejm, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stressed that by the end of 2024 the government wanted to make a model of military training for adult men. – We are not proposing to return to essential military service. We have respective models, 1 of the most appreciated is the Swiss model said the head of government.
The Swiss model assumes mandatory military training for citizens who then constitute a reserve of armed forces. Tusk pointed out that the aim was to make a reserve adequate for possible risks.
General Bryś: Plans are ready, only implementation is missing
Former Head of the Central Military Recruitment Center, General Mirosław Bryś, positively assessed the Prime Minister's initiative, but pointed out the deficiency of action from the current head of the Ministry of Defence. – Plans are, only implement them!!! – wrote the general on platform X.
Bryś recalled that in 2024, MON under the leadership of Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz established much less reserve soldiers for the exercise than in 2023 during the time of Mariusz Błaszczak. – What training are we talking about today? We hear only about the creation of further plans and concepts over the year – he added.
General Bryś, who was appointed manager of the “Become Soldier of the Republic” Programme Office in 2022, stressed that all essential training plans were ready. In his opinion, only the political will to implement them is lacking.
Controversy around General Brysia
General Mirosław Bryś was recalled from the position of Chief of the Central Military Recruitment Center in January 2024. The reason was to make controversial statements during the briefing on the organisation of military picnics. According to Onetu, the general was going to say: “One more picnic like this and we'll win the election”. Brys himself powerfully denied these reports, claiming that he had never said specified words.
Despite controversy, General Brys enjoys designation in the military environment. In May 2023 he was promoted by president Andrzej Duda to Brigadier General.
Does universal military training have a chance of success?
Prime Minister Tusk's initiative met with a affirmative reception of part of the opposition, but besides raises doubts about its implementation. General Bryś emphasizes that training plans are ready, but there is no consequence in their implementation.
A key challenge will be to supply adequate financial and logistical resources for specified large-scale training. Furthermore, it will be essential to convince the public of the thought of universal military training, which may prove hard in the absence of a direct military threat.
Summary
Universal military training for men in Poland is an ambitious plan, which aims to increase the country's defence readiness. However, its implementation requires not only prepared plans, but besides consistent action by the government. Will this task be implemented? Time will tell.
In 24. @MON_GOV_PL Under the leadership @KosiniakKamish set up definitely little acorns for exercises than in times of @mblaszczak in 23rd. What training are we talking about today? We hear only about the creation of further plans and concepts in the position of the year. Plans are, only implement them!!! https://t.co/kgge1FCl9y
— Brig. Gen. Mirosław Bryś (@MiroslawBrys) March 7, 2025
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General harshly criticizes Pal Tusk in the field of universal military training of Poles