The idea of reinstating universal military conscription in Poland has resurfaced, sparking debate among the country’s top military officials.
While some argue that compulsory service should be brought back as soon as possible, most high-ranking generals—including advisors to Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz—strongly oppose the move, citing a lack of infrastructure and the effectiveness of voluntary service.
This was reported by WP Tech.
A Divided Military Leadership
Not all military officials see eye to eye on the issue. General Leon Komornicki, in a recent interview with Radio ZET, stated that Poland should immediately restore conscription.
However, other leading figures, including Generals Roman Polko, Bogusław Pacek, and Mieczysław Bieniek, argue that now is not the right time to reintroduce mandatory military service.
General Polko, former commander of the elite GROM unit, pointed out that Poland does not lack volunteers but lacks the training infrastructure to accommodate them.
"We don’t have a shortage of people willing to be trained, but we do have a shortage of facilities where they can be trained," Polko explained.
Similarly, General Pacek, director of the Polish Army Museum, believes compulsory service is unnecessary, advocating instead for voluntary enlistment.
"It’s better to have motivated soldiers than ones conscripted under duress," he said.
Infrastructure Concerns and Modern Training Needs
Polko also emphasized that Poland’s military must first focus on training reservists on modern weaponry before even considering a general draft.
"If someone trained on a T-72 tank, they won’t see that tank anymore if called up. Instead, they’ll need to learn to operate an Abrams or a Krab artillery system," he explained.
Forcing conscription without the proper infrastructure and resources would only stretch the military thin, diverting professional soldiers from their core responsibilities to train new draftees.
Instead of universal conscription, the generals argue for a more targeted recruitment approach.
"The army has deficits in certain areas—let’s draft people where they are needed, rather than drafting aimlessly," Polko stated.
For example, he suggested that IT specialists could train the army on cyber defense, rather than being trained as foot soldiers.
A Need for Long-Term Planning
While opposing an immediate return to conscription, the generals acknowledge the need for preparation.
"If conscription must be reinstated in an emergency, we need to be ready," said General Pacek.
He stressed that infrastructure—including barracks, medical care, training grounds, fuel supplies, and logistics—must be in place before Poland considers mass conscription again.
"There should be no scrambling for boots, uniforms, or food rations when the time comes," he warned.
For now, the Polish Ministry of National Defense has no plans to reinstate conscription. General Bieniek, an advisor to the defense minister, confirmed that Poland will continue relying on voluntary service and the Territorial Defense Forces to strengthen its military.
