Day of the Territorial Armed Forces
Citizens who volunteer to defend their homeland are acknowledged for their dedication by the nation’s leaders. In this gathering, the Territorial Defense Forces counted approximately 38,500 soldiers—a testament to the growing participation in this unique service. The defense minister also highlighted the significance of these troops as a vital component of the armed forces.
In Rzeszów, the anniversary celebration of the Territorial Armed Forces brought together the President and the Minister of National Defense. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the formation.
The President expressed gratitude to the soldiers and commanders serving in the Territorial Armed Forces, noting that thousands of citizens serve their country by balancing everyday jobs and family responsibilities with a commitment to national security. He underscored that a considerable portion of the personnel holds higher education, with many bringing technical training and specialized skills such as information technology and logistics expertise that would be difficult to cultivate through ordinary channels.
The President also thanked those who answered the call to strengthen the nation’s safety and emphasized that every citizen bears some responsibility for the fate of the homeland.
He recalled collaborating with the then defense minister at the start of his presidency in 2015 to establish the Territorial Defense Forces. The aim, he explained, was clear: allow people with ordinary lives and careers to serve their country if they choose to do so.
The need for such forces was clear not only for the state but also for a large segment of the population. Territorial forces were created, and volunteers quickly proved their essential value. Any doubts about practicality or the speed with which duties could be taken up faded as it became evident that the WOT soldiers were consistently prepared and readily available for duty.
In the address, the Minister of National Defense described the Territorial Defense Forces as an integral branch of the armed forces. They are composed of people who resonate with the legacy of service and sacrifice to the homeland, echoing the spirit of the Home Army.
With a conflict unfolding beyond the eastern border, and a determined leadership seeking to strengthen national resilience, the strongest response lies in empowering the Polish military. The WOT stands as a crucial element of this strategy, a volunteer-driven force whose members dedicate their private time to national service.
Their contributions at the border are pivotal to national security and to the ongoing development of the country.
During the ceremony, several soldiers received awards for long service and other recognitions. The head of the Ministry of National Defense presented the soldiers of the 3rd Podkarpacka Territorial Brigade with a commemorative book that chronicles the Home Army’s message for future generations. The book gathers testimonies from Home Army veterans across the country and is structured into sixteen chapters. It will be displayed in the Tradition Hall of the Podkarpacie Brigade and later distributed to other brigades and battalions nationwide.
The commander of the Territorial Defense Forces noted that the formation had its beginnings on January 1, 2017, with the establishment of eighteen brigades, two training centers, a command unit, and the Sonda school for non-commissioned officers along with the Gryf military unit. Over six years, the WOT has become a dependable part of the state’s crisis response framework. Current figures show more than thirty-eight thousand five hundred volunteers serving in WOT units. The ceremony also featured the presence of visiting defense officials from Estonia.
The celebration culminated in a parade through the streets of Rzeszów, where observers could see equipment such as Abrams and Leopard tanks, KRAB and K9 howitzers, self-propelled mortars, and Rosomak wheeled armored vehicles. Following the ceremonial roll call, a public military picnic was organized for attendees. The Territorial Armed Forces stand as the fifth branch of Poland’s military structure, alongside the army, air force, navy, and special forces. Created on January 1, 2017, their mission centers on defending local communities in peacetime and cooperating with operational forces during war, guided by the motto Always Ready, Always Close.
Citation: wPolityce