President Andrzej Duda approved a series of promotions across the Polish armed forces, elevating twelve officers within the Polish Army, one officer from the Military Counterintelligence Service, one officer from the State Protection Service, one officer from the Border Guard, and two officers from the Prison Service. This information was confirmed by the National Security Agency and reflects a broad modernization effort within Poland’s security institutions.
The formal acts of appointment will be presented by the President on the occasion of National Independence Day, taking place on November 9, 2023, at the Presidential Palace. The ceremony is planned as a public demonstration of the leadership’s confidence in the capabilities of the nation’s military and security apparatus as Poland strengthens its defense and internal protection structures.
Lieutenant General Wiesław Kukuła, who serves as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army, has been elevated to the rank of General of the Polish Army, the highest grade in the professional forces. This promotion recognizes his leadership in operational planning, force development, and strategic coordination across the armed forces during a period of evolving security challenges in the region.
Major General Adam Joks, who commanded the 2nd Polish Corps and held the role of commander of the land component, has been promoted to lieutenant general of the Polish Army. The promotion reflects his responsibilities in coordinating land-based operations, integrating multinational partners when required, and ensuring readiness of ground forces for national defense and alliance commitments.
The following individuals have attained the rank of Major General in the Polish Army: Brigadier General Robert Kosowski, who serves as Rector-Commander of the Academy of War Arts; Brigadier General Krzysztof Nolbert, who acts as the Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the United States of America; and Brigadier General Wojciech Ziółkowski, Commander of the 16th Mechanized Division. Each appointment acknowledges significant leadership, educational, and international liaison roles that bolster Poland’s strategic military education, diplomacy, and force readiness.
The group promoted to Brigadier General comprises Colonel Dariusz Czekaj, Commander of the 12th Mechanized Brigade; Colonel Mirosław Downar, Commander of the 10th Armored Brigade; Colonel Mariusz Majerski, Commander of the 1st Masurian Artillery Brigade; Colonel Jacek Sankowski, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Infrastructure; Colonel Michał Sprengel, Defense Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Colonel Krzysztof Stańczyk, the 1st Deputy Commander of the Territorial Forces; and Colonel Piotr Waniek, Deputy Chief of Staff for Support and Chief of the Division of the 2nd Polish Corps within the Land Component Command. This cohort highlights the broadened responsibilities of senior officers across operational commands, international postings, and critical support roles that sustain Poland’s readiness posture and interoperability with allied forces.
Colonel Maciej Szpanowski, who heads the Military Counterintelligence Service, has been promoted to Brigadier General within the same service. The promotion underscores the ongoing emphasis on balancing national security, intelligence capabilities, and counterintelligence operations amid evolving threats and the need for robust information protection for military planning and civilian institutions alike.
Colonel SG Piotr Boćko, Rector-Commander of the Border Guard College, has been elevated to Brigadier General of the Border Guard. This appointment reflects the ongoing effort to strengthen border security, protect critical infrastructure, and enhance cooperative operations with international partners in safeguarding Poland’s frontiers and internal stability.
SOP Colonel Radosław Jaworski, Commander of the State Protection Service, has been named Brigadier General of the State Protection Service. The move signals a continued focus on safeguarding state institutions, officials, and sensitive sites through professional leadership and advanced protection capabilities.
The following officers were named General of the Prison Service: Colonel SW Artur Koczerba, District Director of the Prison Service in Koszalin; and Colonel SW Piotr Sękowski, Deputy Director General of the Prison Service. Their promotions align with ongoing reforms and modernization efforts within Poland’s correctional and security framework, aiming to improve institutional resilience, safety standards, and operational effectiveness across detention facilities.
These promotions collectively point to a deliberate strategy to strengthen leadership at all levels of the security architecture. By elevating senior officers across land and air components, intelligence, border protection, and custodial services, Poland signals a commitment to integrated defense and security operations that can adapt to shifting regional dynamics while reinforcing national sovereignty and public safety across the country.