Przemysław Wójtowicz – a former soldier, sniper, veteran of the war in Afghanistan, as well as consultant and educator, talked about his experiences gained in the course of military missions, the challenges and moral dilemmas that the role of a sniper entails. He also shared technical aspects of the military service, as well as personal reflections on the psychological effects of war faced by veterans.

During the meeting, moving words were spoken: “The happiest sniper is one who never had to pull the trigger.” This reflective quote resonated especially strongly during the discussion of the impact of wartime experiences on life after returning home. Wójtowicz stressed that military experiences often leave a lasting mark, and that returning to everyday life can be very difficult.

The discussion was also related to the preparation of Polish soldiers for the military service and their lives after their military careers end. Wójtowicz noted that Polish soldiers are well-trained and morally strong professionals. However, he pointed out that their knowledge and experience are,  unfortunately, often not used in civilian life, thought they could play an important role in, for example, supporting defense development or educating younger generations.

Not only did the author of the books provide his own perspective on the value of military service, but also, he drew the attention to the public perception of soldiers and their role. In his view, anyone who has devoted a part of his life for the welfare of the country deserves deep respect and appreciation. He stressed that the war experience is not only a personal story, but also a testimony to the courage, strength and sometimes difficult struggles faced by soldiers both at the front and after returning home.

“Often their experiences are talked about in the course of war, but we forget about these people once they return to everyday life. For them, these experiences remain vivid,” he explained. The author noted that reflecting on these experiences is crucial not only for soldiers, but also for society, which should better understand the cost and value of service. He added that his goal is to inspire soldiers to see for themselves how much life in the army has taught them, how much these experiences have enriched their identity and what resources of strength and knowledge they can offer to others.

“I would like every soldier to see the value in their story, to know that their experiences have meaning and can be valuable to others,” he concluded.

 This part of  ”MISO Meetings with Authors” proved to be a truly inspiring event that introduced participants to the current challenges facing both the military and civil society. During the discussion, not only matters related to the daily service of soldiers were discussed, but also issues related to contemporary security reality as well as civic responsibility in the situation of a dynamically changing world.

At the end, all guests had the opportunity to receive a copy of Przemyslaw Wójtowicz's book with a personal dedication from the author. This gesture gave the meeting a special vibe, a souvenir in the form of a signed book not only distinguished the participants, but also strengthened their bond with the author and the matters discussed during the meeting.