At the age of 69, General Waldemar Skrzypczak, a erstwhile commander of the Land Army, a associate in abroad missions and a valued strategist, retired. His death is simply a painful failure to the military community and to those with whom he has worked for years.
Career in State and Military Service
Waldemar Skrzypczak was born on 19 January 1956 in Szczecin. From his youth, he tied his life to his uniform. He graduated from the Higher Officer's School of Armoured Forces in Poznań and then the Academy of General Staff of the Polish Army in Warsaw. He besides completed his education in the United States, finishing his course in managing strategical resources in California's Monterey.
For many years he was active with the armored troops. From 2006 to 2009 he served as commander of the Land Army. It was then, in a hard time for the Polish army, that he played an crucial function in expanding the presence of soldiers in abroad missions, especially in Afghanistan. In 2009, he decided to resign, openly criticizing the then Ministry of National Defence for excessive bureaucracy and tardiness in providing the essential equipment to soldiers.
Commander on Missions and MON structures
Gen. The Violin is peculiarly prominent in his global mission to Iraq. In 2005 he took command of the Multinational Center-South Division as part of the 4th Amendment of the Polish Military Quota. Thanks to his decisions and actions, the number of attacks by the rebels was reduced.
After completion of linear service, gene. The violinist didn't part with the defence department. In 2011, he became an advisor to the national defence minister Tomasz Siemoniak, and a year later he assumed the position of Undersecretary of State in the MON. His knowledge, experience and cognition of military realities were invaluable in creating and implementing defence policy.
One of the most media moments of the general's career was his engagement in the Nangar Khel case. After the tragic incidental of 2007, 8 civilians were killed as a consequence of the fire in the Afghan village, The violinist defended Polish soldiers accused of war crimes. As the then commander of the Land Army, he knew the reality of the mission and frequently stressed the hard situation of soldiers operating under force and in danger of life.
The case continued for years, and its final date was not until 2016, erstwhile the ultimate Court maintained the acquittal or suspension conviction against the defendants. The General did not hide the relief and satisfaction that the trial ended in a way that he felt was fair and closed the hard chapter in the past of the Polish Army.
To the death of the General The violinist has expressed his sadness and appreciation for his accomplishments. The national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the general was a symbol of dedication and professionalism. In turn, Tomasz Siemoniak, erstwhile head of the MON, recalled him as a man of passion, devoted to soldiers and to the state.
Waldemar Skrzypczak left behind not only a rich professional achievement, but besides a immense heritage of values – loyalty, courage and concern for people in uniform.
Silence after the volley, goodbye to the large commander
The departure of General Waldemar Skrzypczak is simply a minute of reflection on the function he played in the modern Polish Army. He was not only a soldier, but besides a mentor and authority. Many young officers learned from him how to command with honor and responsibility.
Although his voice is already silent, his memory will stay alive in the past of the Polish army. Lieutenant General Waldemar Skrzypczak will be remembered forever as a man who was not afraid to tell the truth, defend his soldiers and make hard decisions.
