By decision of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, effective 1 October 2025, Colonel Jarosław Kowalski has been appointed as the First Deputy Commander of the Polish Territorial Defence Forces (DWOT). He previously served as Commander of the 4th Warmian-Masurian Territorial Defence Brigade (4. W-MBOT).
Photo: DWOT
Colonel Jarosław Kowalski began his service in 1993 at the Higher Officers’ School of Signal Corps in Zegrze. He took part in overseas missions in Syria and Afghanistan. From 2018 to 2020, he commanded the 43rd Light Infantry Battalion in Braniewo (43rd blp). In June 2020, he assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the 4th Warmian-Masurian Territorial Defence Brigade (4th W-MBOT). As of 20 September 2021, he served as Head of the Command Exercises and Training Section within the Training Division at the Territorial Defence Forces Command.
Since 29 September 2022, he has commanded the 4th W-MBOT, succeeding Colonel Mirosław Bryś. In 2022, the Brigade was honored with the title of Leading Unit of the Polish Armed Forces for its achievements.
For him, people and good cooperation are paramount. He never seeks easy solutions and always gives his best. He acts unconventionally, encourages innovative approaches and promotes modern training methods. “Be humane, listen to others and talk to them, and you will win people over,” reads his biography on the 4th W-MBOT website.
Decyzją Wicepremiera, Ministra Obrony Narodowej Władysława Kosiniaka-Kamysza, z dniem 1 października 2025 roku na stanowisko I Zastępcy Dowódcy Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej został wyznaczony płk Jarosław Kowalski, dotychczasowy Dowódca 4 Warmińsko-Mazurskiej Brygady OT. Składamy… pic.twitter.com/qXkG8MaAyJ
— Terytorialsi | Zawsze Gotowi, Zawsze Blisko! (@terytorialsi) September 30, 2025
Colonel Jarosław Kowalski will now succeed Brigadier General Grzegorz Barabieda as the First Deputy Commander of the Polish Territorial Defence Forces. General Barabieda had held the post since 1 July 2024, following the decision of then Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak. On 19 September this year, an official farewell ceremony was held for the officer, who is set to take up service abroad.
Uroczyste pożegnanie gen. bryg. Grzegorza Barabiedy – I Zastępcy Dowódcy Wojsk Obrony Terytorialnej.🛡️
Od lipca 2024 roku Pan Generał wspierał nas swoją wiedzą, doświadczeniem i zaangażowaniem. Teraz obejmie nowe obowiązki służbowe poza granicami kraju.🌍
Dziękujemy za czas… pic.twitter.com/QmLee0KSQP
— Terytorialsi | Zawsze Gotowi, Zawsze Blisko! (@terytorialsi) September 19, 2025
