Polish Territorial Defense volunteers complete first shooting drill; 21 soldiers promoted to junior officers

Volunteers of the 6th Mazovian Territorial Defense Brigade (6 MBOT) carried out their first live‑fire shooting at the Lipiny range after weeks of safety instruction, dry‑fire practice and weapons handling training. Participants described the experience as emotional and rewarding, noting that the drill tests the skills acquired during their sixteen‑day basic course. The next phase will include a tactical loop and a final oath ceremony to formally enlist them as soldiers of the brigade.

In Toruń, a ceremony on the Old Market Square marked the promotion of 21 soldiers to the first officer rank. The officers had completed a six‑month program run by the Land Forces Academy and the Rocket and Artillery Training Center, which covered shooting and tactical training. Among the newly commissioned was senior corporal Anna Skoczyńska, who expressed pride in serving as a reconnaissance officer in the 5th Lubusz Artillery Regiment. General‑colonel Andrzej Kupis highlighted the need for higher‑level military education to develop specialist artillery personnel.