Polish soldiers to choose some uniform elements; general says it's economical

The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MON) is preparing to introduce new regulations that will permit soldiers to legally wear footwear and other uniform items they purchase themselves while on duty. This initiative aims to modernize military provisions and offer soldiers greater personal choice.

Currently, soldiers are restricted to wearing only uniform items issued by the Polish Armed Forces, as stipulated by a May 2022 ordinance. While previous amendments relaxed rules for tactical footwear to allow visible manufacturer logos, the new proposal expands this flexibility to field, training, special, and sports attire.

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The army should have moved away from the current system long ago.

The proposed changes, which have been submitted to the Government Legislation Centre, would empower the Minister of National Defence to publicly announce a list of approved items. These items must be "equivalent in characteristics to the items included in the uniform allowance for a soldier." If enacted, soldiers could legally select and use uniform and equipment elements available on the market that meet their specific needs.

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In other countries, uniforms can also be bought or sewn by private companies. Then it will be economical, and the soldier will have a choice.

MON explained that this approach is modeled after practices in other NATO member states, where soldiers are permitted to purchase and use selected uniform or equipment components. The deadline for comments on the draft regulation was August 25, with the amendment expected to take effect the day after its official publication.

Retired General Roman Polko, a former commander of the GROM unit, welcomed the proposed changes. He told "Fakt" that the military should have abandoned the current system much earlier. "In other countries, uniforms can also be bought or sewn by private companies. Then it will be economical, and the soldier will have a choice," Polko said, comparing the current system unfavorably to the communist era (PRL). He recalled his own experience 30 years ago at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he received a voucher to a uniform store to select items based on his needs, including boots of different widths and various uniform elements suitable for different seasons.

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The current system resembles the PRL.