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Poland Launches Voluntary Citizen Training Program, Pilot Starts Nov. 22

Leaders say the app-bookable courses bolster national preparedness in response to war-related threats from Russia.

Overview

  • The government targets 400,000 trainees next year under the new nationwide initiative called 'In Bereitschaft'.
  • Participants can choose four one-day weekend modules covering security basics, survival, first aid, and cybersecurity via an app.
  • Officials stress the trainings are voluntary, do not constitute military service, and do not involve an oath or entry on reservist lists.
  • The offering is open to all citizens from primary-school children to seniors, with companies able to schedule group sessions for employees.
  • Poland counts about 210,300 personnel in its armed forces and seeks to expand the regular army to roughly 300,000, a push framed by the defense minister as preparation for the most dangerous period since World War II.