Poland Launches Nationwide Defense Training for Students and Pensioners
Poland’s Ministry of Defense is launching a nationwide voluntary defense training program for citizens of all ages — from students to retirees — beginning November 22.
Poland is set to launch a nationwide defense training program for citizens of all ages, from schoolchildren to pensioners, in what officials describe as the most extensive civilian preparedness initiative in the country’s modern history.
Announcing the program, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen national resilience and readiness amid growing regional security challenges.
“Over the past six months, the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense have been working intensively on what is the largest project in Poland’s modern history — a voluntary national defense training system,”
said Kosiniak-Kamysz.
The program will be open to all citizens, including school students, working adults, and retirees, and will focus on basic defense skills, emergency preparedness, and situational awareness.
A pilot phase will begin on November 22, with over 10,000 participants joining the first round of training sessions. Full implementation is expected in early 2026, with exercises taking place at 132 Territorial Defense Force (WOT) units across the country.
The move comes as Poland continues to expand its defense posture, increase military spending, and boost societal readiness — positioning itself as a frontline NATO state prepared for both conventional and hybrid threats.
