Latest news with #militarytraining
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
'This is no vacation': young Poles do summer army bootcamp
Sweating and out of breath, young Poles throw grenades and practise evacuating the wounded at a training ground outside Warsaw. Instead of relaxing at the beach, they have chosen to do army drills over the summer holidays. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid "Vacation with the Army" programme, which the defence ministry launched to promote military service among young people as Poland beefs up its security. The EU and NATO member -- which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine -- has been strengthening its defensive assets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 out of fear that it could be next. "The training includes shooting and tactics classes, field studies, and general air defence," said lieutenant Patrycja Adamska, spokeswoman for the army's 10th Car Regiment, one of the units involved in the programme. "The recruits have an opportunity to experience the discipline of soldier life," she told AFP. The participants, most of them 18 to 20 years old, spend 27 days in a unit, after which they are awarded a rank and can continue service or become part of the reserve personnel. Michal Piekut, a master's student in international security, was surprised by the rigour of the drills. Sporting camouflage paint and in full uniform, the 29-year-old was barely standing from the exertion. "This is no vacation, it's intensive military training. I thought I wouldn't make it," he told AFP after dragging a heavy munition chest across many metres of sandy terrain. "Nobody fainted yet, but the day is young," he deadpanned. Lieutenant Michal Gelej from the army recruitment office said the programme "constitutes a wonderful alternative to summer jobs", as a payout of 1,400 euros awaits those who complete it. Goran Meredith, a 19-year-old American studies student at the University of Warsaw, said the money and summer timing allowed him to participate, otherwise he "wouldn't have time to be here". The ongoing war in Ukraine was another incentive. Piekut said he was considering a future military career: "I want to become a reserve soldier, and if need be, serve my homeland." - Learning from Ukraine - Just after Russia's Ukraine invasion, Poland adopted a homeland security law that included the goal of "enlarging military personnel". It also updated its voluntary conscription programme in 2022 with an eye towards increasing the army reserve. It drew nearly 90,000 candidates over the years 2023 and 2024. The defence ministry launched the "Vacation with the Army" programme last year, along with exercises in schools and weekend boot camps for civilians, promoted by a large-scale social media campaign. "The Ukrainian example teaches us that the professional army gets used up in about a year" if it cannot draw on adequate reserves, said Bartosz Marczuk, a Sobieski Institute expert who co-authored a report on the idea of introducing mandatory military training in Poland. "We are the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, and its keystone of security," he added. Marczuk said that any reintroduction of mandatory army service -- which Poland ended in 2009 -- would need to be preceded by voluntary programs. "That's why all initiatives of this sort have to be supported," he told AFP. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that by 2027, Poland will expand its voluntary military training program to accommodate 100,000 recruits per year, in order to create "an army of reservists". Piekut doubted whether his compatriots were up to the task. "Most adults could not handle it. There are very high requirements, physically, psychologically, and in terms of discipline," he said. str/amj/gv
Arab News
2 days ago
- Arab News
'This is no vacation': young Poles do summer army bootcamp
WARSAW: Sweating and out of breath, young Poles throw grenades and practice evacuating the wounded at a training ground outside Warsaw. Instead of relaxing at the beach, they have chosen to do army drills over the summer holidays. Nearly 10,000 men and women have volunteered for the month-long, paid 'Vacation with the Army' program, which the defense ministry launched to promote military service among young people as Poland beefs up its security. The EU and NATO member — which borders Belarus, Russia and Ukraine — has been strengthening its defensive assets since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 out of fear that it could be next. 'The training includes shooting and tactics classes, field studies, and general air defense,' said lieutenant Patrycja Adamska, spokeswoman for the army's 10th Car Regiment, one of the units involved in the program. 'The recruits have an opportunity to experience the discipline of soldier life,' she told AFP. The participants, most of them 18 to 20 years old, spend 27 days in a unit, after which they are awarded a rank and can continue service or become part of the reserve personnel. Michal Piekut, a master's student in international security, was surprised by the rigour of the drills. Sporting camouflage paint and in full uniform, the 29-year-old was barely standing from the exertion. 'This is no vacation, it's intensive military training. I thought I wouldn't make it,' he told AFP after dragging a heavy munition chest across many meters of sandy terrain. 'Nobody fainted yet, but the day is young,' he deadpanned. Lt. Michal Gelej from the army recruitment office said the program 'constitutes a wonderful alternative to summer jobs,' as a payout of 1,400 euros awaits those who complete it. Goran Meredith, a 19-year-old American studies student at the University of Warsaw, said the money and summer timing allowed him to participate, otherwise he 'wouldn't have time to be here.' The ongoing war in Ukraine was another incentive. Piekut said he was considering a future military career: 'I want to become a reserve soldier, and if need be, serve my homeland.' Just after Russia's Ukraine invasion, Poland adopted a homeland security law that included the goal of 'enlarging military personnel.' It also updated its voluntary conscription program in 2022 with an eye toward increasing the army reserve. It drew nearly 90,000 candidates over the years 2023 and 2024. The defense ministry launched the 'Vacation with the Army' program last year, along with exercises in schools and weekend boot camps for civilians, promoted by a large-scale social media campaign. 'The Ukrainian example teaches us that the professional army gets used up in about a year' if it cannot draw on adequate reserves, said Bartosz Marczuk, a Sobieski Institute expert who co-authored a report on the idea of introducing mandatory military training in Poland. 'We are the largest country on NATO's eastern flank, and its keystone of security,' he added. Marczuk said that any reintroduction of mandatory army service — which Poland ended in 2009 — would need to be preceded by voluntary programs. 'That's why all initiatives of this sort have to be supported,' he told AFP. In March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that by 2027, Poland will expand its voluntary military training program to accommodate 100,000 recruits per year, in order to create 'an army of reservists.' Piekut doubted whether his compatriots were up to the task. 'Most adults could not handle it. There are very high requirements, physically, psychologically, and in terms of discipline,' he said. Meredith agreed: 'We're in our first week and 10 people have quit already, so it speaks for itself.'
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed assesses national service recruits at Liwa Training Centre
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, on Monday assessed national service recruits at Liwa Training Centre. He attended specialist demonstrations by the 22nd cohort of the country's National Service Programme for the 2024-2025 training year. Demonstrations included combat and tactical exercises, as well as infantry and team co-ordination displays. Sheikh Hamdan praised the recruits' readiness and discipline as well as their military skills and knowledge, state news agency Wam reported. He also praised the outcomes of the intensive training during the programme, which covered military sciences, physical fitness, martial arts and discipline. The event was attended by Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed, Lt Gen Engineer Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, along with a number of senior officers and officials. Building a legacy It follows an event in December, in which thousands of Emirati recruits and members of the reserve forces took part in a Stand of Loyalty parade before UAE leaders to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the National Service Programme. The ceremony, held in Al Sameeh, between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Leaders inspected the recruits and reserve forces, who were welcomed with a display of artillery. Military aircraft flew overhead in front of the dignitaries on the main stage, while the 23,000 recruits stood in formation alongside more than 2,000 armoured vehicles. Compulsory military service for Emirati men aged 18 to 30 was introduced in 2014, involving rigorous training regimes, military drills and weapons training, a focus on physical fitness and the reinforcement of national values and patriotism. Recruits are also trained in data literacy and artificial intelligence. The National Service and Reserve Authority signed an agreement with the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence in 2019 to train recruits in AI and robotics. Two years later, it was announced that recruits would also be given lessons in entrepreneurship.
The Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Police crime intelligence on high alert over alleged plan to reclaim 'land stolen' from Lesotho — Masemola
The police crime intelligence division is investigating allegations of Basotho nationals undergoing military-style training on South African farms to reclaim land 'stolen' from the mountain kingdom. This comes after Lesotho police chief advocate Borotho Matsoso is reported to have confirmed the emergence of a group calling itself 'Malata Naha' which is allegedly recruiting Basotho youth from within the country and abroad to incite insurrection against their government and to fight for the contentious land in South Africa. The land being claimed includes parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Matsoso's comments come after the recent arrest of Lesotho MP Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party which has been demanding the return of Lesotho's 'stolen land'. The arrest sparked unrest in the country. On Saturday, national commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said Matsoso's allegations were high on the agenda of a meeting with all nine provincial commissioners to discuss crime combating efforts in the country. 'A preliminary report from the crime intelligence division was discussed in which intelligence structures have highlighted that they have heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities. 'The DPCI, also known as the Hawks crimes against the state (CATS) unit has also been roped in to investigate. Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Masemola said he reached out to Matsoso to discuss the allegations and they had agreed that both countries' law enforcement agencies' intelligence structures would investigate the existence of such camps. Masemola said intelligence structures and operatives were on the ground to establish facts and urged South Africans not to panic as police from both countries were on high alert. In 2023, Lipholo tabled a motion for the kingdom to reclaim South African territory that purportedly belonged to Lesotho in precolonial days. At the time Lipholo declared: ' It's time for what is ours to be returned to us.' TimesLIVE
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Haiti sends 150 soldiers to Mexico for training as gang violence surges
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti's government announced Friday that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have gained almost entire control of the troubled country's capital. Under the agreement between the two countries, a total of 700 soldiers are to be trained in Mexico as Haiti seeks to revive its military. 'This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,' Haiti's government said. 'It illustrates the government's firm determination to restore … state authority throughout the country.' From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence . Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico. Upon their return, they will join Haiti's National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a sparsely funded U.N.-backed mission . Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean island of Martinique for a two-week training. Haiti's armed forces were disbanded in 1995 following a coup to oust former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide . The once-feared army had long been accused of horrific human rights abuses and were involved in several coups. In 2017, the army was reinstated by slain President Jovenel Moïse after the U.N. ended its peacekeeping operations. In recent years, the army has been recruiting young people to bolster its numbers. In 2023, there were roughly 2,000 soldiers, compared with some 7,000 when the army was disbanded. Newer figures were not available.
