Fear of war! Men and women in Poland have to go to the draft

Warsaw (Poland) - Around 250,000 people in Poland could be called up to the military medical commission in the next few days. Their draft begins on February 1 and lasts until the end of April. Not only men but also women are affected.

Poland wants more personnel for its armed forces and is therefore having thousands of men and women tested for their suitability from February 1.
Poland wants more personnel for its armed forces and is therefore having thousands of men and women tested for their suitability from February 1.  © Czarek Sokolowski/AP/dpa

This means that the test to determine whether someone can perform active military service no longer only applies to volunteers and men, but also to women born between 1997 and 2005 who have qualifications useful for military service, reported the portal Radio Zet.

The selection committee examines the physical and mental aptitude of the candidates. Upon completion, the candidate receives a military booklet and is entered in the military register to defend the country in an emergency.

Women in particular who work in certain professions or are still studying or in training must expect to be called up for military service.

We are mainly talking about medical specialties. For example, female psychologists, radiologists, laboratory diagnosticians or people working in medical rehabilitation. Men are also affected in these professions.

Veterinarians would also have to expect to receive a summons. The same applies to computer scientists, IT specialists and translators.

Those who do not appear must expect consequences

If someone does not appear for the military examination despite being summoned and does not have a valid reason for this, consequences such as a fine or being taken to the police can be expected.

Only those who present a certificate of incapacity for work or give credible reasons why they cannot attend the appointment - which must then be confirmed by the mayor or head of the municipality, for example - will be given a new deadline for the examination of their personal military aptitude.