Poland has announced a new wave of mobilization, with 2,350 citizens to be summoned for military medical qualification commissions. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, this initiative targets not only draft-age men but also women and those over 50.
Starting January next year, these individuals will be required to undergo mandatory medical checks to assess their physical and psychological fitness for service. The group includes men, specific categories of women over 19, and those previously deemed limitedly fit in 2024-2025.
Each person summoned attains the rank of private, but a military ID will be issued only to volunteers who opt to serve. Others will join the passive reserve. Women in medical, IT, and certain other professions may also be called up.
Ignoring a draft notice is punishable by law, with fines ranging from several hundred to several thousand zlotys. As of mid-2023, Poland’s armed forces comprise about 153,000 professional soldiers, 20,000 conscripts, and 37,000 members of the territorial defense. In case of a military threat, these numbers could significantly increase.
Despite government preparation programs, interest among the population remains low—only 35% are willing to join voluntarily. It's still unclear whether ethnic Ukrainians living in Poland will be included—this remains a topic of public debate.
