The Polish government and armed forces are launching one-day military training courses for civilians through a new program called "Always Ready" [1, 2].

This initiative reflects Poland's increasing concern over national security as the country faces a tangible risk of war with Russia [2]. By preparing the general population for crisis response, the government aims to build resilience against both conventional military action and the hybrid attacks Moscow frequently launches [2].

The program focuses on nationwide preparation, with a specific emphasis on citizens living in border regions most threatened by Russian activity [1, 2]. These short-term courses are designed to provide basic military skills, and emergency response protocols to individuals who are not currently serving in the professional armed forces [1].

This push for civilian readiness coincides with a significant increase in national spending. Poland now allocates approximately five percent of its gross domestic product to defense [2]. This investment underscores a broader strategy to modernize the military and fortify the nation's borders against external aggression [2].

The "Always Ready" program is part of a larger effort to integrate civilian support into the national defense framework. By training non-combatants, the state seeks to ensure that the population can support military efforts, and maintain order during a large-scale conflict [1, 2].

“Poland is launching one-day civilian military training courses under the “Always Ready” program.”

The shift toward civilian military training and a defense budget reaching 5% of GDP signals that Poland is transitioning from a peacetime posture to a high-readiness state. This reflects a strategic calculation that deterrence alone may be insufficient, necessitating a 'total defense' model where the civilian population is integrated into the security architecture to counter Russian hybrid and conventional threats.