At the headquarters of the 20th Przemyśl Territorial Defence Brigade (20. PBOT) named after Major General Stefan Rowecki, whose wartime pseudonym was “Grot”, the first intake of volunteers this year took place. More than 130 residents of the region decided to begin their service as part of the nationwide campaign “Holidays with the Territorial Defence Forces”.
As the spokesperson for the 20. PBOT, Second Lieutenant Rafał Laska, informed on Saturday, those who reported to the barracks in Przemyśl on Friday included residents of the Jarosław, Lubaczów, Przemyśl, Sanok, Lesko, Bieszczady, Przeworsk and Brzozów counties, as well as the city of Przemyśl.
“They are people of various ages and professional backgrounds, from adult secondary school students, through civil servants and full-time employees, to individuals currently seeking employment,” added Second Lieutenant Laska.
The first day of training included registration, issuing of uniforms and completion of administrative formalities. On Saturday, the soldiers received their weapons.
As the spokesperson emphasized, the most important test for the new recruits will take place at the end of the month – the final exam (the so-called tactical loop) and the ceremonial military oath. The ceremony is scheduled for February 28 this year in the town of Zarzecze. It will conclude the basic training stage for the newly enlisted territorial soldiers.
Second Lieutenant Laska reminded that individuals who have never previously served in the military undergo basic training, the so-called “sixteen”. “It includes instruction in marksmanship, tactics, conduct on the battlefield, first aid and topography,” he explained. The eight-day refresher training, in turn, is intended for reserve soldiers and aims to refresh their previously acquired skills.
Recruitment to the 20. PBOT is conducted on a continuous basis. Those interested in service may submit applications at the Military Recruitment Centre appropriate to their place of residence or electronically via the ePUAP platform. Candidates may also seek assistance from Territorial Defence Forces recruiters through the unit’s dedicated website.