Posting a photo of his certificate on social media, Trzaskowski praised both the format and the instructors.
"Useful knowledge, outstanding instructors – seasoned professionals with passion and a sense of humour," he wrote.
"It makes you proud to know we have such professional soldiers who are closely observing developments on today's modern battlefield," he added.
The training took place at the base of the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade in the Polish capital's eastern Wesoła district.
Trzaskowski said the course was "an excellent way to learn or refresh valuable skills under expert supervision," including hand-to-hand combat, firearms handling, first aid, and basic survival techniques such as lighting a fire with flint or filtering water in the forest.
He particularly highlighted the first aid segment, calling the exercises "extremely useful," and noting the importance of learning how to, for example, use a tourniquet to stop arterial bleeding.
These skills, he added, are useful not only in emergencies or war zones but also in everyday life.
"What’s inspiring," Trzaskowski said, "is seeing how many people, both men and women, want to contribute to our shared security. The better prepared each of us is, the more resilient we are as a society. That’s the point."
The mayor noted that the training requires just eight hours on a Saturday, and said longer versions are available for those interested.
'Train with the Army'
The "Train with the Army" programme is a free, voluntary military training initiative launched in 2022 by Poland's defence ministry. It is open to Polish citizens aged 15 to 65.
The sixth edition began on Saturday and will continue through July 5, with sessions held weekly at military units across the country.
The eight-hour course includes introductory instruction in shooting, close combat, first aid and survival.
The programme is not a form of military service or any formal mobilisation. It is also separate from the government’s planned system of universal voluntary military training, announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk in March, which would consist of a month-long paid course aimed at rebuilding Poland’s military reserves and teaching practical crisis-response skills.
In addition to "Train with the Army," the defence ministry also runs "Holidays with the Army," a paid, one-month training programme that ends with a formal military oath.
Another initiative, "Education with the Army," is run in collaboration with the education ministry and brings soldiers into schools to teach basic safety and first aid.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP