We wanted to give the civilians any insight into the challenges that peculiar forces gotta face. In the program we showed the struggles of daredevils performing tasks inspired by the selection of elite units of the Polish Army – says Major Wojciech „Zachar” Zacharków, head of instructors in the program “Special Forces Poland”.
For 8 weeks on Polsat TV, we followed the destiny of the participants of the program "Special Forces Poland". Eighteen daredevils underwent a stress test that was modelled on a selection process for peculiar forces units.
Wojciech “Zachar” Zacharków: I received an invitation to participate in the task a year ago. I agreed to participate in it due to the fact that it is simply a concept based on a British program whose business card is SAS soldiers. I myself watched the British version of "SAS: Who dares, wins", so I was certain that it would not be a humorous, mocking program, but 1 that would bring the public closer to any degree, which is active in the service in peculiar troops. We've not only shown a substitute selection, but besides a number of tasks to be addressed by soldiers of peculiar units already during basic training.
For many years you have been liable for the selection and basic training of soldiers in the Gliwice Military Unit of Agat. Is that why you took the lead in the teacher group?
My experience surely mattered here. I've been driving for years. selection for Agata And I was liable for training the basic stormmen. Then for a while I was active with the peculiar Forces Training Center and trained elevations on the Jata course. I besides conduct preselection courses all the time, which prepare candidates for service in special troops. So I am glad that I was trusted and entrusted with the function of head of instructors. I worked with very experienced operators who served in peculiar troops for many years and participated in the most hard military missions abroad. The instructor's squad included Marek “Włoczyki” Stan from the GROM military unit, Piotr “Gniady” Hajkowski from Formozy and Piotr “Soyers” Soyka from the Commandos Military Unit. In addition, Łukasz “Sikor” Sikor, a erstwhile JWK lifeguard, protected the participants of the program medically. Although we represented different units, we rapidly formed a very good team.
How much did the programme directors benefit from your business experience? Did you have an impact on the programme scenario?
The program “Special Forces Poland” was filmed in May 2024 on the grounds of the “Barit” air base in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. It was a reality show formula, so production continued continuously for about 2 weeks. That means we didn't have any doubles, repeated shots and directed conversations. The audience saw what the participants truly experienced. And surely a large part of their struggles.
I'm not hiding that interference in the program's script was very difficult. We, as soldiers, wanted to show on tv as much as possible the real army, the tasks that the participants in the selection of peculiar troops are actually facing. And it didn't truly work out due to the fact that production was more focused on showing the emotions of participants. But we realize that tv is governed by its laws and that it was essential to balance to any degree what the military does with what affects the popularity of the project. And ratings are built through emotions and interesting stories of people.
In the end, we have reached a compromise, and the producers have given us considerable credit. So we could make recruits feel the “taste” of peculiar troops.
18 participants volunteered to participate in the project. It was a very diverse group, with a different level of physical fitness and intellectual endurance. This is at the start of a different programme from the actual selection.
That's true, but remember, we're inactive talking about a program that's inspired by selection, not truly giving the qualifying process to peculiar troops. The participants of the task were subjected to physical tests that I was preparing due to the fact that I had to be certain that they could handle the tasks prepared for them. I did not participate in casting or intellectual tests.
References to the actual selection were not lacking. First of all, the recruits received equipment according to the list, which was based on this selection, with the difference that everyone had the same equipment. I besides wanted it to be of good quality and to make it easier, not more difficult. Participants besides received numbers which deprived them of their identity during the programme. For me and the instructors, it didn't substance who they were, what they were doing in private life, due to the fact that each of them had an equal chance. They acted in time and sleep deficits and were permanently tired. They besides received limited amounts of food, the alleged dry military rations, to yet the last 2 days act without food or rest. They were besides notoriously subjected to various kinds of physical tests. all free minute – although it was not visible in the program – we utilized for additional torment of participants. Recruits had to execute countless push-ups, squats, and another weight-bearing exercises. All to bring people to the limits of their ability, to learn actual motivations and to force candidates to drop their masks.
After watching 8 episodes of the program, I could hazard saying that this was mainly about overcoming the limits of my capabilities.
You're right. Our recruits, doing all kinds of tasks, faced their fears and phobias, overcome pain and fatigue. announcement that the participants who were not able to do physical tasks could not overcome certain intellectual limitations and leave their comfort zone. The recruits could have dropped out of the program for 3 reasons, as could the selection: for medical reasons, at the request of the instructor, erstwhile they did not execute the prescribed tasks, and of course at any time they could resign voluntarily. Note that there was no material reward for the winner in this program. This proves that they were not driven by any external stimulus, but by interior motivation. A determination akin to that of peculiar military candidates.
The strongest were overcoming their weaknesses. 8 people made it to the final, but 4 of them did not last the final attempt. Did you see the shift in recruits during the program?
Of course. The changes were very visible. Initially we saw people who were very free to approach the program, and to tasks with humor and smile. They realized very rapidly that although it is simply a tv show, there is no fun here. Thanks to the approach of instructors, fatigue and physical effort, they changed their approach. They were more focused, involved, integrated. They cared not only about themselves, but besides about the full group. For themselves and for others – during group tasks – they fought against their weaknesses and fears. The same is actual erstwhile there are fewer candidates left. We always see a better squad combination.
By decision of instructors, the program was won by a recruit from No. 1, or Justyna Christiansen. 37-year-old flight attendant, boxing and kick-boxing lover. Why her?
Because from the very beginning of the program, she showed character, will to fight, integrity and determination. She engaged 100% in all tasks and never gave up. She wasn't complaining or complaining. I know that quite a few people bet that the youngest associate in the program will win, or "sixteen". A teenager was physically strong, but we could not separate him due to the fact that he lacked appropriate emotional maturity, he sometimes acted besides chaoticly and bravado.
Nevertheless, it was to any degree he was the winner. Justyna Christiansen gave him her win.
According to the plan, the winner of the program was to receive an invitation to various military trainings by instructors. And to the surprise of all, the “one” declared that its prize was given in full or in part to “the young”. She stated that she would no longer be a commando, but from the "sixteen" yes.
The boy took that chance. He's already been to my pre-election training in the mountains. He inactive maintains that he will someday become a peculiar Forces soldier. Well... He's on his way. He learned from what we told him during the program. During the presentation course he acted carefully, he was calm and calm. He worked well with the group and achieved very good results. Sometimes specified failure or hard experience can contribute to a change for the better, especially erstwhile we learn from it. The "Sixth" of the finale of the program did not treat it as a failure, but simply as a valuable experience. That's what I meant. You can see the boy has humility in him.
The program is resonating.
I'm happy to confirm, due to the fact that it's not just a recruit with a number 16 going to uniform. There are besides 2 participants to military training – recruits with numbers 1 and 6. She besides late announced that in 2025 she would begin military service and take an oath. This is large information, due to the fact that it shows that the program has achieved the goal, which we have set with instructors, among others, so promotion not only of peculiar forces, but besides of military service in general.
For years he was liable for selection to JW Agat and basic training. After the military service ended, he worked with the peculiar Forces Training Centre and trained elevations Course Jata Lublin. In addition, he organized an inspired selection of a mountain marathon in Bieszczady, or Memorial named after Sławomir Berdychowski. He besides led "The Murph Challenge" – a Polish edition of crossfit competitions devoted to the memory of fallen soldiers. He continues to train and train peculiar army candidates. "Zachar" is the winner of Buzdigan 2020 – Armoured Poland Award.