What fire scope does a hand grenade have? What is the permissible dimension of hair and nails in soldiers? What is simply a business secret and what was an impulse to accelerate the construction of the “Tarchy East” – the participants of the final of the “Army EkstraKLASA” competition, which turned out to be 16 teams of top military class students across Poland, faced specified questions.
The final of the 5th Interschool cognition Tournament about the Polish Army was held at the Club of the Warsaw Garrison Command. 16 three-man teams arrived in the capital, selected in regional eliminations. They are the best military class students from all over Poland. There were over 8 teams to the strict final. At stake was the title “Mistry of the Army Extraclass”.
Tournament played for respective years addressed to students military preparation units, manufacture military branches and participants in the Defence Ministry Programme ‘CYBER.MIL classy’. Colonel Tomasz Włodarczyk, Deputy Head of the Central Military Recruitment Centre, emphasises that the aim of the task is to popularize cognition of the army, advance military service and strengthen civic and pro-defensive attitudes among youth.
CWCR Vice-Chief highly assessed the level of cognition of students who reached the final. The issues afraid many areas and required solid and multi-weekly preparation. Teenagers had to show cognition of, among others, history, military regulations, drills, civic education, as well as the “Tarcza East” programme or the presence of the Polish Army in NATO structures. “I am very pleased that specified young people want to grow their cognition of the military and I hope that they will shortly strengthen the ranks of the armed forces,” said Colonel Jerzy Porajski of the Ministry of Defence.
In the end, the rivalry was won by the representation of I LO in the Bolesław Chrobry advanced School Complex in Leczyajsk. The silver medal was awarded to the XVI LO National Army in Tarnów. 3rd place was taken by cadets from VI LO in the method and Service School Complex in Tarnowskie Mountains. The winner's guardian emphasized their commitment and hard work during preparation. “We were hoping for the first eight, but the work and the sleepless evenings resulted in a large success”, said Rafał Tuleja.
The students emphasized the importance of teamwork. “We are a good team, we are persistent, and as we set ourselves up with a task, we are aiming for a goal,” says Krystian Sage, a student from LO in Leczyajsk. Paweł Bednarski, squad captain, points out that the fresh issue that was not present during the tournament in erstwhile years was the Shield East theme. However, as the winner admits, it was not a problem. Much more time had to be spent by players to learn the rules of the armed forces or to learn the details of the drill.
In turn, silver medalists stressed that good communication and cooperation were very crucial during the competition, which facilitated their entry to the podium. The competition was under time pressure, not only knowledge, but besides reflexes, stress opposition and strategy.
Just outside the podium, there was the Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski advanced School in Staszów. The 5th place was awarded to the 111th PUL advanced School in Volomina. It was followed by: Maria Skłodowska-Curie advanced School in Hajnówka, the National Army Uniform-Technical Schools squad in Ostrów and the Agricultural Schools squad in Prudnik.
All those who reached this phase received prizes in kind – backpacks, including: a metallic cup with a carabinian, a thermal bidon, a front flashlight, a pocket knife, a compass or a first aid kit.
The organizer of the “Military EkstraKLAS” tournament is Central Military Recruitment Center.
