Polish military forces in peacekeeping missions and military operations other than war: experiences after 2000

Abstract

The article is focused on three main issues. First, it presents a short overview of Polish armed forces’ engagement in peacekeeping operations in Asia and Africa. This is followed by a discussion on the positive and negative outcomes and consequences of mission participation for the soldiers, with a special emphasis on their professional and interpersonal skills, intercultural experience and social relations. Finally, the chapter highlights the experience of the Polish army's peacekeeping missions as an important factor of change, which influences military institutions and its personnel in Poland. The participation in missions seems to be an important event in soldiers’ professional career, seen as a kind of verification of previously learned skills and abilities. It might influence future career path, would be a reservoir for new practices and knowledge for the military institutions, and might show their weak points. Presented data are based on official information of Ministry of National Defense of Poland as well as on surveys conducted in the years 2004, 2006 and 2008 on a random sample of around 500 Polish soldiers, each done in Military Office for Social Research, Poland.

Citation

Sińczuch, M., Kloczkowski, M. and Wachowicz, M. (2009), "Polish military forces in peacekeeping missions and military operations other than war: experiences after 2000", Caforio, G. (Ed.) Advances in Military Sociology: Essays in Honor of Charles C. Moskos (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 12 Part 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 157-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2009)000012A014