MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER
I work as a naval officer. I started my military career in 1979. After finishing secondary school I went to the Naval Academy in Gdynia. I studied there for five years. Having graduated from the Naval Academy I was sent to Świnoujście to serve in the 12th Minesweeper Squadron. I've been working in this unit for eighteen years. At the beginning I worked as a navigational officer on a minesweeper. My first ship was ORP “ŁOŚ”. I served on her for three years. Then, in 1988 I was transferred to a new ship ORP “DĄBIE”. She was lesser but more comfortable and modern. During my service on ships I learned a lot about navigation and how to deal with the crew. I got valuable experience, which is still useful for me. At the end of 1995 I started working in the squadrons headquarters as a staff officer. I was promoted to a lieutenant commander in 1997. During the service in the Navy I attended various courses.
Now, I am in charge of educational matters. I am responsible for planning and conducting a military and general training of seamen and professional soldiers. A significant part of my duties is to execute a variety of tasks and assignments ordered by the squadron's commander and other superiors.
I also take part in preparing and executing majority of squadron's enterprises, including the most important - MCM (mine counter measures) training. This is a basic task of minesweepers. It contains detecting and destroying mines which are usually laid on the bottom of the sea. These mines are destroyed by using mechanical, electromagnetic, and acoustic mine sweeps and by divers.
Other tasks of mine are connected with multinational exercises within “Partnership for Peace” programme. My squadron has been participating in this programme since 1994.
From my point of view, service for the Navy has both advantages and disadvantages.
Firstly, Navigation itself and sailing on a ship is very interesting and exciting. It gives me opportunity to see different land and visit other countries. During my service I was sailing across the Baltic, the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic. I have visited several ports in Europe and Africa.
Secondly, participating in multinational exercises gives me possibility to meet officers from other navies and sail on board of their ships. I can improve my military knowledge. I can also compare different ships, their equipment and seamen's skills.
On the other hand service in the Navy is very difficult and absorbs a lot of time. Usually, I have to work more than eight hours a day. I spend many days in my unit or at the sea during exercises, alerts, etc. Moreover, the money I earn is not satisfying either.
To sum up, despite the drawbacks mentioned above and dangerous situations at sea I can say that service in the Navy has given me a lot of contentment. I joined the Navy because I was really interested in maritime issues. When I was young I read many books about navy, I made models of ships and I dreamt about remote voyages. After twenty years' service in the Navy I can firmly say that if I had a choice once more I would choose the same job.