According to data from the Ministry of National Defence (MON) as of July this year, Poland’s armed forces now include over 210,000 professional soldiers and 41,000 members of the Territorial Defence Forces (WOT). Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the government set a target of expanding the army to 300,000 personnel. Legislative changes over the past three years, as well as improvements in recruitment processes, are helping achieve that goal. At the same time, interest in military classes and officer training academies continues to grow.
“The pace of enlistment in the Polish Armed Forces is something we at the Ministry of Defence are very pleased about. We’re seeing a lot of excellent candidates. This is evident from this year’s record admissions to military universities — interest is truly enormous,”
says Paweł Mateńczuk, Plenipotentiary of the Minister of National Defence for Military Service Conditions, in an interview with Newseria.
Record Competition for Military Universities
Poland currently operates five military academies:
- the War Studies University in Warsaw,
- the Military University of Technology in Warsaw,
- the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia,
- the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław, and
- the Polish Air Force University in Dęblin.
In addition, there are numerous training centers, non-commissioned officer schools, and civilian universities cooperating with the armed forces.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, the admission limit for candidates seeking professional military training was 2,661 places nationwide — far fewer than the number of applicants.
At the Military University of Technology, a record 2,937 candidates competed for 1,243 places. The most popular programs were Economic Logistics (8.4 candidates per place), Cryptology and Cybersecurity (5.45), Safety Engineering (4.85), and Logistics (4.32).
At the Military University of Land Forces in Wrocław, 958 places were offered, including 784 in the Command program.
Students admitted to military programs this year began their education under the rules introduced by the Homeland Defence Act. First-year students serve as voluntary basic military service members, and from the second year onward, they become professional soldiers.
A Volunteer Army with a New Generation of Recruits
“From my perspective as a former GROM special forces veteran — and someone who always volunteered for service — our professional army is truly an army of volunteers,”
explains Mateńczuk.
“Young people are joining not out of obligation but from genuine passion — often already equipped with solid military knowledge. Through pre-military training programs, defence courses, and veteran-led initiatives, they come prepared and motivated. What’s more, many come from uniformed classes and already have the military spirit in their veins.”
According to the Central Military Recruitment Centre (CWCR), nearly 30,000 students across Poland are currently enrolled in uniformed classes. The Certified Military Classes pilot program began in 2017 and has since evolved into Military Preparation Units (OPW) — of which there are now 570 nationwide. CWCR data show that one in three graduates of such programs later joins the armed forces.
“When it comes to attracting recruits, there’s little left that could be described as underdeveloped. The war in Ukraine has shown that the army is a place where one must be — it’s no longer just about service in peacetime but about taking responsibility for one’s country,”
adds Mateńczuk.
“Today’s soldiers know this — and I’ve seen it firsthand among those serving on the border. They understand that they’re defending not only Poland but also Europe.”
New Recruitment System and Improved Pay
The Homeland Defence Act of 2022 created a new recruitment framework. The Central Military Recruitment Centre and its regional branches now operate nationwide, streamlining enlistment. The Act also introduced the voluntary basic military service, which over 42,000 volunteers have completed since its launch — many of whom have since joined the professional army.
The legislation also raised salaries: the monthly base pay for a private has increased from PLN 2,500 in 2015 to PLN 6,000 today, along with new bonus and motivational allowances.
“There will always be room for improvement in recruitment regulations. Every generation has its own expectations, limits, and strengths. This system must be flexible — if a regulation doesn’t fit a specific social or age group, it needs to evolve,”
says Mateńczuk.
Building Toward a 300,000-Strong Army
According to the Ministry’s plan, the Polish Armed Forces are expected to reach around 300,000 soldiers within the next few years — approximately 250,000 professional soldiers and 50,000 territorial defence troops.
As of July, the total stood at around 210,000 professionals and 41,000 WOT members.
“If we include reservists, the Polish Army already exceeds 300,000 — in fact, we can talk about a 500,000-strong force,”
says Mateńczuk.
“Reserve training is ongoing and quite intensive. But when I speak of professional soldiers, I emphasize professionalism — we’re not looking to take everyone, but to build a modern, highly trained army.”
Public Support for the Military
According to a March 2025 IBRiS poll for Rzeczpospolita, 55% of Poles believe that mandatory military service should be reinstated in light of current international tensions, while 35.8% oppose the idea and 9.2% remain undecided.
Public trust in the military remains high. A 2024 CBOS “Social Trust” survey found that 84% of Poles trust the armed forces — 25% definitely trust and 59% rather trust — while only 8% express distrust, and another 8% have no opinion.
“Looking at how society perceives soldiers today, I think we all understand how crucial it is to have a strong, capable army that reflects our society’s strength,”
Mateńczuk concludes.
“A strong army is built on a strong nation — the two are inseparable.”
