If there was a war, as many as 48% of Poles aged 18–25 would join the army to participate actively in the conflict. 1 in 4 young people (26%) declare that they want to leave the country. all 5th (19%) would be in aid organizations. specified results bring investigation into the attitudes and values of the ‘Z’ generation applicable to recruitment and military service.
The task was implemented by the Bydgoszcz Centre for Doctrines and Training of Armed Forces (CDiSZ), a final study was late published. The studies lasted for 2 years (2023-2024) and were conducted through surveys among students and students and expert interviews with heads of educational institutions, teachers and school educators. The investigation trial included 1,200 young people from 25 schools and universities.
The survey raised questions of motivation factors to join the ranks of the military, while asking about the determinants that discourage ties to uniformed services. An crucial issue was the perception of the universal work of defence, military exercises, changes in the army or the impact of the war in Ukraine on the safety of Poland. Many questions afraid planet views and another characteristics of the surveyed generation. The data obtained were utilized to identify expectations and requirements of the young generation in the context of recruitment and service in the Polish Army.
Comfort and convenience of life on top
When asked about the characteristics of the "Z" generation most accurately characterise its representatives, the respondents pointed out: ease in absorbing and utilizing technological innovations (31% of the responses), advanced assurance (18%), no fear of the hazard being taken (13%), the request for fast individual improvement (12%) and the preservation of the balance between work and private life (12%). erstwhile youths were asked to show authority, 54% of them admitted that for support, advice and example they turned to household members. 22% of the respondents declared that they had no authority. another options – concerning prominent leaders, teachers, celebrities, figures from the planet of politics and discipline – gained a tiny percent (from 1 to 6%) of the indications.
The question “What matters most to you today?” respondents answered: comfort and comfort of life (38%), career (26%), household establishment (11%), safety of our country (10%). The values based on religion indicated 2% of respondents, protecting the planet 1%.
When researchers asked about the factors for success, representatives of the "Z" generation mentioned primarily perseverance and tenacity (33% of the indications), professional competence and qualifications (21%), and creativity and innovation (19%).
Requested to indicate the main sources of information collection: social media (36%), net portals (28%) and tv (16%).
As many as 73% of those surveyed are considered tolerant, 18% disagree.
Training for all
A series of questions straight related to military recruitment began with incentives to serve. In the assessment of young people, the most crucial in this context is the constant increase in wages (27% of responses), the anticipation of serving close the place of residence (25%), the possible of individual improvement (20%) and additional privileges (20%). 57% of those surveyed responded to the question of readiness to decision in the event of taking up service in the army (or another uniformed services). The "yes" responses represented 41% of the total. erstwhile asked to identify disincentives for service in the army, the respondents mentioned: continuous availability (29%), frequent change of residence (21%) and hierarchical organizational structure of the military (14%).
The next question was the motivation of military candidates. According to the respondents, volunteers mainly encourage: financial stableness (24%), the anticipation of obtaining earlier pension rights (19%) and the anticipation of individual improvement (11%).
In the context of possible entry into the military service active in the study, they consider themselves physically efficient (23%), disciplined and loyal (19%), capable of acting under time force (12%) and having leadership characteristics (11%). 57% of the “Z” generation believe that regular military exercises should apply to all citizens, 29% disagree.
Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) declared their willingness to volunteer for the military, undergo training and take an active part in armed action – in case of war. At the same time more than a 4th (26%) admitted that in specified a situation she would leave Poland. Almost all 5th surveyed (19%) prefers engagement in activities supporting charitable and humanitarian organisations.
The military is to be ready for the generation “Z”
What do these results say about young Poles and their readiness to serve? How should the military respond to this? Representatives of the “Z” generation appreciate individualism, individual development, flexibility, alleged work-life balance. conventional military values specified as hierarchy, discipline and ruthless submission are little attractive to them.
– I was amazed by the request for closeness to the place of residence, due to the fact that this contrasts sharply with the image of young people as mobile, frequently even unrooted," admits Colonel Arkadiusz Czaplewski of CDiszZ, 1 of the co-authors of the study. – At the same time, I find it hard to imagine an army that would not be a hierarchical structure, requiring large availability. Therefore, another advantages of the service, its uniqueness, must be highlighted in recruitment strategies. Let us conquer the fact that the military is changing, buying quite a few modern weapons – the officer advises, paying attention to the ease in absorbing news, which characterizes young Poles.
The survey concludes: “The Z generation is raised in the digital planet and strives to function in an environment saturated with modern technologies. Innovation, focus on cybersecurity, widespread usage of drones or artificial intelligence can attract more candidates curious in service in a modern environment."
“Z” generation representatives value organisations that advance flexible working hours and distant work. Hence the request to focus on promoting service models specified as territorial defence troops, voluntary basic military service, but besides various actions undertaken by the Ministry of Defence in the field of military and defence education (such as the programme “Train with the Army”).
The study indicates that in recruitment strategies taking into account the characteristics of the generation “Z”, it is essential to present troops as a place where conventional hierarchy does not exclude openness to dialogue, creativity, initiative or cooperation.
– Our investigation shows that young people are willing to follow clear rules. That they can work together if they see sense. That they are tolerant of cultural, spiritual and social diversity, which promotes the building of teams based on common trust, says Colonel Czaplewski and adds another crucial feature – a higher level of competence in abroad languages than in erstwhile generations. “Youth has quite a few assets that the army can draw from. We must be ready for the generation “Z” – the officer concludes.
