An officer, an innovator, but above all a commander who goes beyond the pattern. Brig. Gen. Dr. Rafał Miernik was not afraid to carry out fresh tasks throughout his service. For soldiers, he's a leader with a charisma who can take them into action. “You should be constantly in attack and face further challenges,” says General Miernik, winner of Buzdigan ’23.
Brig-Gen Rafał Miernik military traditions were taken from the household home. The soldiers were his father and older brother, which inspired the general to tie his future to the army. First, he enrolled in military advanced school, then as a volunteer, he did basic service to finish his studies at the then College of Officers in Wrocław. The first position of duty, commander of the platoon, was held in the 17th Wielkopolska Mechanized Brigade in the Interstate. As he says, he chose this unit due to the fact that he knew that the service would be demanding and would surely bring many challenges. And that's what happened.
General Miernik (then captain) was the first in the Polish Army company commander to is equipped with wheeled transporters armoured Rosomac. We did everything first. First shooting, swimming, exercise. It was a immense amount of work, but besides a large nobilitation for me and my soldiers – the general recalls. This trial coincided with military preparations to go on a mission to Iraq. During the 4th shift of the Polish Military Quota, the officer was the commander of the combat company. Colonel Sławomir Rudkowski, then commander of the battalion, in which the Buzdygan winner served, recalls that he was distinguished by both commitment and knowledge. – We did not deficiency work, but Captain Meternik was very obligatory. He never looked at the watch, although sometimes we didn't have adequate day to do anything. I could number on him in any situation – says the Colonel.
No wonder the officer’s career began to develop. He served in various positions in 17 BZ. With large sentiment he himself returns to the 7th Battalion of the Wielkopolska Horse Rifles from Wędrzyn. It was under his command that the cavalry were the main force of the Alpha Combat Group during the 9th shift. PKW Afghanistan. After returning, practically without rest, the shooters horseback headed by a colonel. They took the task of creating a maneuvering battalion in the framework of the European Union Combat Group on-call.
In 2018, as an experienced head of training 17 BZ, he made changes and decided to service in territorial defence troops. He became commander of the recently formed 12 Wielkopolska OT Brigade. – Many times I was asked why I decided to take specified a step, especially due to the fact that this kind of armed force did not enjoy good PR at the time. This did not make it easier to carry out the task, due to the fact that all decision we made had to "reliable in the fight", but I knew that what we were doing was simply necessary," said the officer.
He admits that creating an individual was a challenge. Everything came from scratch. He was the 1 who accepted the first soldiers, took care of their training, their infrastructure, and developed many essential solutions for the functioning of the brigade.
The effectiveness of these actions was verified in 2020, erstwhile the full planet faced the COVID-19 pandemic. – At that time, soldiers supported the activities of hospitals, besides the alleged covid, were besides present in social services homes, educational institutions. It was an invaluable collaboration. Had it not been for WOT and openness then colonel. Meernika, surely we would have been worse through this time – says Jędrzej Solarski, the first deputy president of Poznań. The soldiers did a large job. I think the effects of the action proved the request for a WOT – the general believes.
In 2021, the officer returned to the operational troops. From Wielkopolska, where 12 BOT was stationed, he moved to Lublin. He's a commander. 19 Lublin Mechanicalised Brigade. The unit was besides in the forming process, so it besides lacked challenges. “Here I saw how crucial it is for the residents to feel safe and so the presence of the army,” he says. Under Brig-Gen. The unit's number of soldiers increased twice and the brigade itself was successfully certified. Gen. Dyw. Arkadiusz Szkutnik, commander of the 18th Mechanized Division, which is subject to 19 BZ, appreciates in Brig. Gen. The measurement is primarily organizational capacity, first ideas, but besides effective in implementing them. But always the soldiers are the most crucial to him. And they see in him not only a commander, but above all a man with large charisma who can kidnap them into action – he assures.
The officer himself headed the Military Task Force in 2023 Podlasie. – Under my command were 10,000 soldiers from various units, of which 7.5,000 were on the border itself. They had to be provided not only with safe conditions of service, but besides with specified prosaic issues as social and surviving conditions. I must admit that it reminded me a small of my service outside the country," she says. The soldiers secured a 380-kilometre long of border. The criterion of success became to keep good cooperation with residents, authorities and another services in Podlasie. I'm not hiding that I had a WOT experience. However, the very command of the WZZ Podlasie was a truly immense challenge, very demanding not only for me, but for everyone who stands here in defence of the Polish border – the general points out.
Currently, Brig-Gen. Miernik continues to service in Lublin and prepares the unit for further exercises, certification, implementation of Abrams tanks. What is behind his success so far? As he states, about what he is the leader, the experience decided: “I tried to get the best out of all situation and then implement it.” He inactive thinks command is the hardest of plays. – So many years in different positions have shown me that this is simply a demanding field, but besides incredibly building. You should be on the decision all the time and take on the next challenges. That's what I've done so far, and I'm not going to halt – he assures.
