“Service on foreign missions builds Poland’s position in the world, Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak said during the celebration of the Day of Veterans of Operations Outside the Country. He emphasized the importance of army numbers and encouraged civilian military personnel to become soldiers.
“This service determines the position of Poland on the international arena”
This is a very important service, it determines the position of Poland in the international arena. We are an active ally in NATO, our missions also take place in EU and UN format
– said the minister on Saturday in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki (Mazowieckie Voivodeship) during the celebration of the Veterans Day of Operations Abroad. The head of the Ministry of National Defense also signed a decree on promoting the service among civilian employees of the Ministry.
We build the security of our homeland, our activity, strength in alliances is important in a situation where we may be threatened
he noticed.
Today’s war near the Polish border, the Russian attack on Ukraine shows how important it is for the Polish army to be strong, very firmly entrenched in alliances, mainly in the North Atlantic Alliance
– added.
Amendment to Veterans Act
He pointed out that the Sejm on Friday passed an amendment to the Veterans Act, drafted by the Ministry of National Defense, which would see the allowance for wounded soldiers on missions paid not only to pensioners, but also to those who are still sick. serve or work.
I also signed a decree on promoting military service in organizational units subordinate to the Minister of National Defense
– he said.
We have 172,000 soldiers, and there will be 300,000 army
He referred to the announcement of an army of 300,000 men and to new forms of conscription, such as voluntary conscription. According to Błaszczak, the army currently has 172,000 men in all types of service, including WOT and soldiers with voluntary basic military service. soldiers.
I encourage others to join the Polish army
– he said. He recalled that subordinate units employ more than 40,000 people. workers, some of whom are retired soldiers, but most of them civilians.
The decree signed on Saturday is – as the deputy prime minister said – an incentive for these people to join the Polish army. The first path assumes the transformation from a civilian position to a military position with a higher salary. An employee who decides to make such a change can be appointed to a military position after training in the context of basic voluntary service.
Poland has an advantage – we have a soldier, a person who can use weapons
said the minister. The second path provides for the entry of a civilian employee into the WOT. The incentive is a salary supplement of PLN 1,000 and additional leave.
I encourage you to take advantage of this proposal, it is very important for the Polish army to be strong, it is the best method to deter the aggressor
– argued the Deputy Prime Minister.
We know that Putin decided to rebuild the Russian Empire
he added, reiterating that they always threatened neighboring countries.
Awarding department awards
The head of the Ministry of National Defense presented the veterans with department awards – the Wounds and Injuries Badge and Defense Merit Medals.
Major Katarzyna Rzędowska, director of the Center for Veterans Operations Outside Borders, pointed out that Veterans Day is celebrated together with the United Nations International Day of Peacekeepers.
From Korea to Haiti, Polish soldiers and military collaborators have performed or are still performing responsible service to ensure world peace and security
– she said.
Veterans Day
The celebrations remind us of the Polish state’s five-decade involvement in such operations. The service of thousands of Poles under the UN Blue Flag not only contributes to stability and peace, but is also an expression of our country’s willingness to fulfill its international obligations
– she said. She stressed that we should not forget the dangers faced by soldiers, employees and officers who perform such tasks.
Veteran officers of the SOP, police and SFS were decorated by the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Bartosz Grodecki, who read a letter from Minister Mariusz Kamiński.
Poles appreciate your contribution to building a comprehensive security system. Your daily service is a constant concern for the safety of the Republic of Poland and its citizens
– Kaminski assured in the letter.
You fulfilled your duties professionally and with commitment in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine and Haiti. By serving under the Polish flag, you prove that our country takes its allied obligations very seriously
– added.
The ceremony was attended by participants of the 4th Veterans Motorcycle Rally and cyclists from the 6th Airborne Brigade from Krakow, who traveled thousands of miles to pay tribute to their colleagues who fell and died on missions.
The celebrations were accompanied by a military picnic with a display of equipment, including Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carriers and Cougar armored vehicles.
The Day of Veterans of Actions Beyond State Borders, instituted by the Sejm in 2011, was first celebrated on May 29, 2012.
READ ALSO: The Sejm passed the veterans law amendment. Minister Błaszczak: This is in response to the demands of those who served in missions
rm/PAP
Source: wPolityce