From War Experience to Generation Z

Social issues are besides an crucial aspect. They concern the general public to be prepared for emergencies, especially so-called ztek, i.e. representatives of the youngest generation in the labour market. “We have established a squad of military and civilian scientists who are conducting investigation for us. We want to gain the most comprehensive cognition about the Z generation, due to the fact that it is its members who are expected to replace the current soldiers. We want to adapt the training process to them, but besides make tools that will enable us to communicate effectively with them now – explains Brig. Gen. Miernik.

Practical training

The Poznań conference is not only hours of discussion. "Trainer-25" is besides held at a camp in Biedrusk, which belongs to the Center for Training of Land Forces. “Our base is gradually expanded so that our instructors can prepare soldiers to operate the state-of-the-art equipment,” said Colonel Rafał Matera, Commandant of the Centre. – At the moment, CSWL specialists supply courses for crews and maintenance of Abrams M1A1 and K2 tanks. Training on the latest version of Abrams, or SEPv3, is inactive supervised by Americans, but we will shortly gain independence. We are besides slow preparing for courses for soldiers who will service the Borsuk combat infantry wagons – he adds.

At the same time, CSWL educates its staff at all times. And it was this kind of class that the journalists invited to Biedrus present had the chance to observe. By noon, Abrams and K2 tanks left for the field range. The vehicles took positions and on the signal moved forward, beginning fire. After passing the designated section, they began to retreat, all the time firing at the opponent. Our instructors are the participants. They fire from tank cannons for purposes 1,800 metres distant and device guns for purposes between 600 and 1200 metres distant – explains Colonel Maciej Łukarski, commander of the battalion of combat vehicles. – They are very experienced tankers, hence quite a few dynamics. And effective shots – he adds.

Technical innovation tests

On the adjacent tactical belt, demonstrations of innovative equipment were carried out, from which the Polish Army does not yet use, but it may happen in the close future. Today's exercises are a consequence of military cooperation with arms companies and investigation centres.

One of the hills had a drone operator on it. At the signal, he releases a tiny device that spins a ellipse over the heads of the soldiers gathered next to him. These scope the shields placed close and open fire with rifles. 1 of the bullets reaches the target. The drone is falling to the ground. However, losses are not great. – This is 1 of the structures developed by us. Very cheap. The drone is named Komar, it is partially printed and the cost of its production does not exceed PLN 1300. Furthermore, any elements from this damaged copy can be recovered and utilized from the construction of another 1 – explains Major Krzysztof Górski from the Department of Computer discipline and Modern Technology of the Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław. There's more news here. Soldiers, for example, shoot mobile platforms, on which fantasy imitations of people are embedded. Vehicles decision forward, turn, key, they are a truly hard target. After hitting the fantomas "consist" on the hinges, they can be utilized repeatedly. At another stations, we watch a demonstration of the shooting with colored ammunition or drone jamming devices.

– The modern planet is changing very dynamically. They evolve methods of combat and method capabilities of equipment. The training process must be adapted to these changes. To prepare the soldiers for the challenges ahead. And this is the problem we deal with – concludes Gen. Miernik.