The Polish National Security Bureau has convened a conference entitled "Between Voluntary Service and Duty: Does Poland Need the Return of Mandatory Military Service?" to discuss the relevance and necessity of reinstating compulsory military service in Poland. The conference features military experts and analysts who are contemplating the implications of such a decision in the context of national security and demographic trends within the country.

Currently, Poland's military service is based on two pillars: professional service and voluntary service. Those opting for voluntary service include individuals who participate in the Voluntary Military Service and those who join the Territorial Defense Forces. Moreover, individuals who complete military service are subsequently assigned to either active reserves, where they may be called up for training, or passive reserves. As the country faces a demographic shift, military officials are concerned about the aging population within the reserve forces, which may impact the effectiveness and readiness of military response in the future.

Demographic projections indicate that by 2040, Poland's population is expected to decline by approximately 2 million. This change poses significant questions regarding the viability of maintaining an effective military presence purely through voluntary enlistment. Analysts present it as an "existential challenge" for Poland's defense strategies, necessitating a reevaluation of current policies and possibly leading to the reinstatement of mandatory military service to ensure adequate numbers and readiness of military personnel in the face of declining recruitment potential from younger generations.