With the completion of the last two territorial defense brigades, the Territorial Defense Forces reach a milestone. The move from direct subordination to the Minister of Defense into the General Staff command framework is seen as a natural progression, according to Brigadier General Krzysztof Stańczyk, the WOT commander.
On August 14, 2024, the Territorial Forces shift away from ministerial subordination and join the general command framework. After certification in June, the WOTs are positioned to take over critical tasks from operational forces, including airport protection in Rzeszów, a route through which aid to Ukraine passes.
A distinct phase of WOT development ends, and the administrative change is viewed as a normal evolution of the force structure.
– said General Stańczyk.
Certification serves as an assessment of capabilities achieved by the formation. It aimed to gauge the current stage of the Territorial Forces in terms of their ability to perform their missions. The results will help refine capabilities once the subordination change occurs, ensuring readiness and effectiveness.
– added.
18 WOT brigades
Today, the WOT comprises 18 brigades, two training centers, the Gryf Military Unit for Unconventional Activity, the SONDA Non-Commissioned Officer School, and a command battalion. Among these are two Border Defence Component brigades: the 19. Nadbużańska and the 20. Przemyśl. This year will see the transformation of two light infantry battalions into border defence battalions within the 1st Podlasie and 4th Warmian-Masurian Defence Brigades. By 2026, the 1st Podlasie and 2nd Lublin Brigades will become border defence brigades, bringing the total to four Border Defence Brigades within the WOT. The core task of the newly formed Border Defence Component is to safeguard vulnerable border areas.
With the formation of the 15th Lubusz and 17th Opole brigades this year, the WOT formation reaches full organization. Structural adjustments will occur only when needed to adapt to new conditions.
– said Stańczyk.
He also noted efforts to arm territorial defence forces with more advanced systems, including plans to form artillery batteries into specialized units, composed increasingly of professional soldiers.
Support companies were established in brigades 1-6 and border defence brigades 19 and 20. Planned expansions include similar companies for the newly formed brigades 15 and 17. The remaining brigades are slated to receive support companies after 2025.
– he said. He added that the support companies will be equipped with strike capabilities: Javelin anti-tank systems, Warmate loitering munitions, Piorun air defense systems, and Fly Eye unmanned aerial vehicles for image reconnaissance.
From 2026 to 2028, the plan envisions artillery subunits with a 105-mm caliber in the first six brigades and two border defence brigades. The decision on whether artillery will be towed or self-propelled will be linked to the Tułacz program, which funds artillery modernization across the armed forces. The ambition also includes arming territorial defence battalions with drones, a capability demonstrated by the Ukraine conflict. The target is to acquire more than 1,200 drones of various types.
– said the WOT commander.
Soon, per higher command orders, the responsibilities for protecting the Rzeszów-Jasionka airport will transfer from operational forces as units of the 18th Mechanized Division shift to support eastern border protection.
– he inquired.
Brig. Gen. Krzysztof Stańczyk noted that this marks the first time the entire Armed Forces have undergone certification in connection with the Territorial Armed Forces’ subordination change. The certification team included more than forty officers from the General Staff, the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the Support Inspectorate, and other military institutions.
The presence of WOT soldiers and professional soldiers after an alarm check showed an appearance rate of over 86%. – This is positive. In addition to personnel, the certification evaluated training completion, equipment readiness, mobilization base elements, WOT subunit training, command system elements, and decision-making at the WOT command post—from planning to issuing orders to subordinate units.
– the general calculated.
Furthermore, the certification team analyzed the WOT’s participation in exercises and operations over the years, providing a broader view of the formation’s capabilities and readiness. Stańczyk highlighted the Anakonda-23 exercise, which tests WOT cooperation with operational forces, Steadfast Defender 24 and Dragon 24. The forces also participate in bilateral exercises with partner nations, such as Adriatic Strike in Slovenia, Ridge Runner in the United States, and Steadfast Jupiter in Norway.
At the brigade level, dozens of exercises are conducted in collaboration with operational forces and civilian services such as the State Fire Service, the Police, the Border Guard, the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, and the National Air Navigation Services Agency.
– added. He recalled WOT participation in Resilient Spring and Sustainable Immunity operations related to the pandemic.
“WOT is a cross-section of the entire society”
Stańczyk emphasized that WOTs are not a force like operational troops. They represent a broad cross-section of society with soldiers who are often employees, students, or schoolchildren. He warned against equating WOT with operational forces, noting their distinct service nature and training methods.
WOT personnel continuously develop and adapt their skills. Their main role is to assist local communities in crisis operations and support rescue services. Since 2021, they have consistently supported border protection with the Border Guard. More than 700 WOT soldiers are currently deployed on the eastern border alongside operational troops.
The broader mission includes enabling operational forces to maneuver freely during defensive operations. Training has continued since the WOT’s inception, and the aim remains to reduce imperfections. The leadership acknowledges that as a newer type of armed force, substantial work lies ahead.
– said the WOT commander.
Stańczyk stressed that the WOT relies heavily on volunteers. At present, over 87 percent are Territorial Military Service personnel. This dynamic affects personnel fluctuations, yet it also adds value, as soldiers who leave to return to civilian life form trained reserves ready to serve if needed. Such shifts are viewed as a positive asset in times of threat.
The ongoing training of conscripts, who are called up two days a month and another fourteen days a year for field training, will always reflect the unique needs of the WOT. While many soldiers are passionate enthusiasts balancing work or studies with service, comparisons to professional soldiers from other forces are not always appropriate. The WOT is becoming more professional; in some brigades, a majority are professional soldiers, with a growing share of territorial military service personnel contributing to readiness.
Currently, more than 40,000 people serve in the WOT. The force remains highly adaptable, with some members changing life plans or residences to accommodate duty. The lack of understanding among some employers about the nature of TSW can influence decisions to leave. The “WOT-Friendly Employer” program promotes a positive stance toward accommodating soldiers in civilian careers.
The WOT is the youngest branch of the Armed Forces, continually learning from its experiences. The changes described are part of an ongoing process to improve capabilities. The focus remains on training, adaptation, and identifying roles for the future of this force.
As a separate branch, the WOT was established in early 2017. Initially expected to comprise 53,000 soldiers in 17 brigades, with one in each voivodeship except Mazovia, where two brigades would operate, laws placed them under the Minister of National Defense and eventually under the General Staff once ready for action.
Source: wPolityce