An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 23 WHERE DID YOU GROW UP, SCHOOL, COLLEGE IN POLAND? I grew up in Ireland, I've lived in New Ross Co. Wexford for well over 11 years after my family moved there in 2005 due to economic issues we were experiencing at the time. When it comes to educa- tion I've finished all of my schooling in Ireland, starting from when I arrived in Ireland and was placed into 2nd class of CBS Primary School New Ross all the way up to finishing engineering in Water- ford Institute of Technology back in 2016. DO YOU PLAY ANY SPORTS, WHAT LEVEL, ANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS? I play a wide variety of sports but it's nothing on a competitive level it's all recreational level stuff to get outside or to spend some fun time with friends from my platoon. DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR OTHER PASTIMES? My biggest hobby and pastime at the same time has to be tinker- ing around with my car, it's amazing actually how infuriating and relaxing something can be both at once but it's one of those kinds of past times that at the end of the Day has a nice pay off and you feel that you accomplished something. DID YOU MOVE TO IRELAND TO LIVE? IF SO, WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Yes, we moved with the intention of living in Ireland and to be fair I quite enjoyed my time spent living there, at this point it's actually quite amazing how well the two cultures Polish and Irish integrated together and managed to bond over time. One thing that particularly stands out in my memory was my first day in school when I stood on the yard's steps and saw a swarm of kids coming my way speaking in a language that was beyond my comprehension as all that I understood and could say at that point and time was, "yes, no, I don't speak English and sorry," - but I received a warm welcome and even though I didn't under- stand anyone and no one understood me through the international language of waving your arms and making gestures we managed to get through the day somehow and before the end of the school day I also began understanding the concept of 'Craic'. WHY DID YOU GO BACK TO POLAND FOR MILITARY SERVICE? One thing that I wish to mention from the start is that Poland no longer has mandatory military service or conscription as some folks call it. It was suspended in 2009 and ever since then the military is composed of people who signed up of their own will. When it comes to me I went back and signed up with the military as it was a long time ambition of mine, it's something that I felt I wanted to do and I went for it, as much as I enjoy Ireland and the Irish people the concept of signing up with a different country than mine clashed with me and I couldn't convince myself to do it as I'd al- ways have it in the back of my head that I'm doing something that doesn't sit right with me on a moral level so I went back to Poland, got all of my paperwork sorted and was ready to enlist. Also, just to clarify, I don't judge or look down on any foreign folk who signed up with the Irish Defence Forces as it might sound, but in reality, I've nothing but respect for them, they did what they felt was right and joining any countries military force is a major life commitment in itself. HAS YOUR FAMILY STAYED IN IRELAND OR MOVED BACK TO POLAND? My family still lives in Ireland, it was my idea and my idea alone to move back to Poland, I visit them as often as I can, be it Christmas, Easter or just for a holiday. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE ON YOUR MILITARY JOURNEY SO FAR? Honestly, signing up is probably the best decision I took in my life, I love the career path I took and wouldn't consider changing it, obviously there are better and worse times like in any field of employment yet the friends you make during the course of your service, and being able to command a 49 ton beast driving through open fields, forests, swamps and everything in between more than makes up for any issues you may have encountered along the way. WHAT COURSES HAVE YOU COMPLETED? So far, I've completed a Combat Life Saver (CLS) course, PT-91 and Leopard 2 tank commander and gunner courses, Team and Platoon leader methodical courses as well as a tank crewman underwater training. WHAT SKILLS DO YOU THINK WILL STAND TO YOU OVER TIME? Leadership and interpersonal skills, for me those two are the most important ones I can think of as no matter where I get assigned and to what function they will help you out more than anything else as every soldier wants a commander who understands them and cares about their issues and once you have the trust and respect of your soldiers coming into your army unit each morning is a joyful experience. WHAT DO YOU PLAN/HOPE FOR YOUR OWN FUTURE? At this point in time it's hard to say as we all live in a rapidly developing world and with each year there's new issues and pos- sibilities, but I can say I hope for a calm future and an enjoyable military service. HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN/CONTRACTED TO SERVE IN THE POLISH ARMED FORCES? After I finish the Academy in 2021 and I become an officer I plan to stay as long as I'm of any use to the Armed Forces, as Polish military officers do not have term limits like a few other countries do. WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE? At this point retiring from active service is such a distant concept that I haven't given it a proper thought and again, we live in such erratic times that even if I made any plans right now I'd wager that if even 5 per cent of them came to pass it'd be a success.

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