The Polish Armed Forces are developing a new close-quarters combat training program that will eventually become mandatory for every soldier. The aim is to ensure military personnel are prepared for the kind of close-range confrontations they may face not only on the battlefield but also during routine military duties.

AI-enabled systems, sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles and reconnaissance assets capable of identifying targets from many kilometers defines; modern battlefield is ever more often defined by technological encounters. The war in Ukraine has reinforced this perception. Drone operators engage the enemy through a monitor, while artillery strikes targets dozens of kilometers from friendly positions. Yet this is only part of the picture. The same conflict has also produced footage of brutal trench fighting, hand-to-hand encounters and soldiers who, after exhausting their ammunition, resort to knives and physical combat. “Today’s battlefield is dominated by long-range engagements. That does not mean soldiers will never find themselves face to face with the enemy. Recent conflicts clearly demonstrate that such situations still occur. Every soldier must therefore be prepared to operate effectively at close quarters,” says Col Krzysztof Rybczyński of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. Col Krzysztof Rybczyński coordinates a team of subject-matter experts established under the guidance of the Training Directorate (P7), whose task is to revise and standardize close-quarters combat training across the Polish Armed Forces. Although Polish soldiers are generally proficient fighters and the ranks include numerous accomplished martial fighters and combat sports champions, one critical element has been missing: a unified training standard ensuring that every service member masters a common set of essential close-combat skills.

At present, close-combat fight is taught as part of physical training. While every unit commander is required to include it in the training program, the scope and emphasis remain largely at the commander’s discretion. A unit may therefore devote most of its physical training schedule to athletics or endurance conditioning, with only limited attention given to close-combat skills. The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces intends to change this approach. Rather than treating close combat as another component of physical education, planners want to establish it as a separate element within a new subject known as combat training. Their argument is straightforward: close combat is not a sport but a core military competency.

Techniques Not Only for Special Forces

Hand-to-hand combat demonstrations have long been a staple of military open days and public events. Elaborate combinations of punches and kicks, dramatic throws, knife-defense techniques and even soldiers breaking concrete blocks with their bare hands invariably impress spectators. According to LtCol Tomasz Dembiński of the 2nd Legions Mechanized Brigade, however, such displays bear little resemblance to operational reality. “These demonstrations certainly showcase outstanding athletic ability, but they have very little in common with the situations soldiers actually encounter,” he explains. A recognized instructor and author of the handbook Hand-to-Hand Combat in Combat Operations, LtCol Tomasz Dembiński is one of the experts in Col Krzysztof Rybczyński’s working group. “Our objective is to teach a military fighting system – not combat sports or traditional martial arts.” The distinction is fundamental. “Martial arts are designed to shape character, develop discipline and promote enduring values. Combat sports revolve around competition within clearly defined rules. A military fighting system, on the other hand, is simply a tool. Its purpose is to prepare soldiers to accomplish their mission and survive genuine life-threatening situations,” explains Cdr (Res) Włodzimierz Kopeć, a former operator of the Formoza Polish Naval Special Operations Unit and currently a lecturer at the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces (AWL), where he teaches close-quarters combat. Cdr (Res) Włodzimierz Kopeć belongs to the group of officers who developed the Polish Armed Forces’ current close-combat system and is now helping modernize it.

LtCol Tomasz Dembiński puts it even more bluntly. “In a sport encounter, the goal is to defeat your opponent. In a real confrontation, the stakes are your health – or your life.” This reality demanded a system capable of functioning in situations where there are no referees, no rules and no fair play. That was not always the case. “When I joined the military, hand-to-hand combat training was hopelessly outdated,” recalls Cdr (Res) Włodzimierz Kopeć. “We trained barefoot, wearing tracksuits, on gym mats. We practiced kata with rubber rifles. Looking back, it kind of ridiculous.” Kata – pre-arranged sequences of techniques borrowed from traditional martial arts – may be visually impressive, but they offer limited preparation for the unpredictability of real combat. At the time, different military units relied on various martial arts, particularly jujitsu and karate, but there was no coherent doctrine or comprehensive training methodology. That changed in 2006, when the Polish Armed Forces introduced a unified close-quarters combat system as part of the broader military transformation that followed Poland’s accession to NATO. Closer cooperation with Allied militaries and access to their operational experience revealed just how many Polish training methods had become outdated.

Simple and Effective

The Polish Armed Forces’ close-quarters combat (CQC) system is based on the Israeli concept of krav maga – a term that literally translates as ‘close combat.’ Like its Israeli counterpart, it draws on techniques from boxing, jujitsu, judo, Muay Thai, wrestling and other martial arts. However, only those techniques that are simple, instinctive and effective under operational conditions have been retained. The system assumes that any close-quarters engagement will occur while a soldier is wearing full combat gear and carrying a weapon. Consequently, training extends well beyond unarmed techniques, and soldiers learn how to employ their issued equipment – including the service rifle, combat knife and even an entrenching tool. Even so, instructors discourage describing the system simply as ‘hand-to-hand combat.’ The term may suggest a duel between two opponents, whereas the soldier’s primary objective is never to engage in a fight but to avoid one whenever possible. Only after the adversary has closed the distance, the soldier opts for other combat techniques. “Many people equate close-quarters combat with the ability to fight,” says Col Krzysztof Rybczyński. “That’s a misconception. The choice of technique is determined first and foremost by the distance between the soldier and the threat. If the soldier can employ a weapon, that option should always take precedence. If the use of the weapon is impossible, close-combat techniques are used to create the conditions necessary to regain control of the weapon and bring it back into action. That is an entirely different objective from combat sports.”

For that reason, the training syllabus extends far beyond learning how to strike, kick or defend. Equal emphasis is placed on threat recognition, distance management, situational awareness, body positioning and the effective use of verbal commands. Soldiers are taught how to prevent an opponent from closing the distance, how to position themselves against one or multiple assailants, and how to maintain tactical advantage before a physical confrontation becomes unavoidable. “If a situation has escalated to close physical contact, it means several layers of protection have already failed,” Col Krzysztof Rybczyński explains. “The adversary has managed to get too close, procedures have broken down, or circumstances have prevented the soldier from employing a firearm.” LtCol Tomasz Dembiński summarizes the guiding principle even more succinctly. “The first priority is always to increase the distance if you can. There is a reason people say that the best defense for an unarmed civilian is to run away, while the best defense for a soldier carrying a rifle is to fire it.” He is quick to point out that this should never be mistaken for a lack of courage. “That mindset is part of the training. Soldiers must understand that this is not a boxing ring. The objective is not to rush into close combat or prove who is the better fighter. The objective is survival.”

Train as You Fight

The overriding purpose of the program is to prepare soldiers for real-world situations. Instructors agree that close-quarters combat cannot be mastered in the artificial environment of a gymnasium, wearing sports clothing and training under comfortable conditions. “From day one, we assume the soldier is wearing a combat uniform, body armor, a helmet and carrying a weapon,” says LtCol Tomasz Dembiński. Accordingly, training extends far beyond rehearsing individual techniques. Exercises are conducted under conditions designed to replicate operational reality as closely as possible. Soldiers practice after intense physical exertion and while carrying their full combat load. “Even exceptionally fit soldiers who have trained in boxing or mixed martial arts – and who possess excellent technical skills – are often shocked when they have to fight after a 20-kilometre march on a hot day while wearing full kit, carrying a backpack and a rifle,” LtCol Tomasz Dembiński explains. “They discover that their concentration, reaction time and striking power deteriorate dramatically. It’s a humbling experience.”

His courses deliberately avoid creating a comfortable training environment. Soldiers are required to fight in darkness, rain, mud and confined spaces. Often they are not told when the confrontation will occur. Increasingly, close-quarters combat scenarios are also integrated into tactical exercises. Training scenarios may involve area patrols, infrastructure protection, close-quarters battle (CQB) operations or trench fighting – the latter having returned to the training syllabus following lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. During the execution of these missions, soldiers are confronted with unexpected threats: an aggressive attacker, an attempt to seize their weapon or the need to subdue a hostile individual at extremely close range. This approach allows personnel to develop not only technical proficiency but also decision-making under stress.

“Learning a punch, a hold or a takedown is not enough,” LtCol Tomasz Dembiński says. “A soldier must be capable of applying those skills at exactly the right moment, often while exhausted, disoriented or taken by surprise. Only then can we speak of genuine operational readiness.” The training also abandons the traditional notion of combat as a fight between two individuals. On today’s battlefield, soldiers may face multiple attackers, operate within a team or simultaneously protect fellow service members. Consequently, the program also develops teamwork, communication and mutual support during close-quarters engagements. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting bystanders – including civilians who may be present in the operational environment. “We devote a great deal of attention to weapon retention drills involving armed attackers,” LtCol Tomasz Dembiński explains. “Throughout the encounter, soldiers must constantly control the direction of the weapon’s muzzle to prevent an unintentional discharge.”

This philosophy underpinned the specialist training programs LtCol Tomasz Dembiński developed while serving with the 15th Giżycko Mechanised Brigade. One of his signature courses, Warrior, taught soldiers how to subdue hostile individuals, defend against attacks involving improvised weapons and operate effectively during close physical confrontations. These skills were subsequently tested in realistic scenarios modelled on patrol and force-protection missions. An even more demanding program, Poseidon, focused on combat and survival in a maritime environment. Participants trained individually and in teams, responding to attacks during patrols, fighting on piers and dealing with situations where both the soldier and the attacker entered the water. Courses such as Warrior and Poseidon demonstrated how effectively close-quarters combat skills could be developed through realistic scenario-based training. They also exposed a weakness common to many similar initiatives. Their success depended largely on the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm of individual instructors. While the Polish Armed Forces have no shortage of such dedicated professionals, the military requires solutions that are institutional rather than personal – capabilities available to every soldier rather than only to those fortunate enough to serve under exceptional instructors. That is precisely what the ongoing reform seeks to achieve. “Our goal is for every soldier to follow the same training program based on common standards that we have developed,” says Col Krzysztof Rybczyński. “Naturally, this does not preclude specialist courses or participation in combat sports. What we are creating is a common basis for the entire armed forces.”

For Every Soldier

The new training program, which is expected to be finalized later this year, will build on a system that has formed the foundation of close-quarters combat training in the Polish Armed Forces for more than two decades. “We are not reinventing the wheel,” says Col Krzysztof Rybczyński. “Our aim is to refine and standardize solutions that have proven their value over the years. At the same time, we recognize that certain areas require updating to reflect both the changing character of the battlefield and the expanding range of tasks performed by today’s soldiers.”

Soldiers today support border security operations, protect critical national infrastructure and take part in security missions on Polish territory. In each of these roles they may face violent individuals, attempts to seize their weapons or situations requiring them to restrain an aggressor at distances where the use of lethal force is neither feasible nor appropriate. A stark reminder of those risks came with the death of Sgt Mateusz Sitek, who was fatally wounded while protecting the Polish-Belarusian border after being attacked by an assailant wielding a knife attached to a pole. The incident demonstrated that an unexpected close-range assault involving even the simplest improvised weapon can prove fatal. The revised training program is intended to prepare soldiers for precisely these kinds of situations.

One of the most significant changes will be a much greater emphasis on intervention techniques. Until now, close-quarters combat training has focused primarily on battlefield scenarios. Increasingly, however, soldiers are required to perform duties that involve checking identities, conducting searches, controlling access, responding to aggressive behavior or detaining suspects without resorting to firearms.

The new syllabus will expand to include procedures for restraining and searching individuals, handcuffing, removing occupants from vehicles and countering attempts to seize a soldier’s weapon. Considerable attention will also be devoted to intermediate situations in which an individual has not yet become a lethal threat but nevertheless requires an immediate and decisive response. The architects of the program also intend to simplify the system itself. Rather than expecting soldiers to memorize dozens of sophisticated techniques, they argue that operational effectiveness depends on mastering a limited number of simple responses that remain reliable under stress, fatigue and the effects of adrenaline. “The simpler the system, the greater the likelihood that a soldier will actually be able to apply it when confronted with a real threat,” says Cdr (Res) Włodzimierz Kopeć.

The reform also reflects the changing demographics of the Polish Armed Forces. The number of women in uniform continues to grow, while older personnel now make up an increasingly significant proportion of the force, particularly within the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF). The program has therefore been designed to remain effective regardless of a soldier’s height, body weight or physical strength. “The techniques taught during training must be applicable by every soldier, irrespective of sex, physical strength or body size,” Cdr (Res) Włodzimierz Kopeć emphasizes.

To achieve this, the new curriculum will be divided into four progressive 16-hour modules. The first will be mandatory for all personnel and will focus on the essential skills every soldier should possess. “These techniques are built around natural human reflex actions,” explains Col Krzysztof Rybczyński. “That means we can teach a surprisingly broad range of practical skills within sixteen hours.” The remaining modules will be intended for personnel whose operational duties require more advanced competencies, with the highest level reserved for the Special Operations Forces.

Before being introduced across the Polish Armed Forces, however, the program will undergo extensive validation. “We are not going to test it on elite athletes or people who have spent years practicing martial arts,” LtCol Tomasz Dembiński explains. “We want to determine whether an average soldier can master the material within the time allocated. Only then will we know whether the program achieves its intended purpose.” In practice, this means training entire platoons before collecting detailed feedback from both instructors and participants. Should any element prove unnecessarily complex or require additional training time, it will be revised accordingly. The authors stress that the program should remain a living system, evolving continuously in response to operational experience and emerging threats.

Developing the curriculum itself, however, is only part of the challenge. Equally important is building a sufficient personnel of qualified instructors – a capability the Polish Armed Forces currently lack. For that reason, the second pillar of the reform focuses on establishing a comprehensive, standardized instructor training system. Many units already include soldiers with backgrounds in combat sports and martial arts, making them natural candidates for the first generation of certified instructors. Initially, responsibility for instructor qualification will rest with the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces (AWL) in Wrocław, where a specialized Close-Quarters Combat Section has been operating for several years. In the longer term, other military academies and training centers are expected to develop comparable instructor programs. Under the current concept, approximately 200 new instructors should qualify each year.

“The Polish Armed Forces do not need a hundred masters of close-quarters combat,” says LtCol Tomasz Dembiński. “They need hundreds of thousands of soldiers who know exactly how to respond when confronted with a real threat.” Ultimately, every military unit is expected to have its own certified close-quarters combat instructor responsible for delivering training in accordance with the standardized curriculum. That widespread availability – rather than elite specialization – is intended to become the defining feature of the reform. This does not mean combat sports such as mixed martial arts, boxing or karate will disappear from military training. On the contrary, the Polish Armed Forces recognize both their physical benefits and the potential of the many enthusiasts who practice them. The introduction of a unified, service-wide close-quarters combat program nevertheless sends a clear message that for the Polish Armed Forces, close-quarters combat is no longer regarded as just another element of physical training. It is a core military competency – every bit as fundamental as marksmanship, tactical proficiency or the effective employment of modern battlefield technologies.