Czech Military Deployment During COVID-19:Soldiers´ Experience and the Perspectives of Organisations

This article examines the domestic deployment of the Czech Armed Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, analysing both institutional and individual dimensions of military assistance to civil authorities. Drawing on two empirical surveys—one administered to deployed soldiers and another to representatives of beneficiary institutions—the study explores perceptions of operational effectiveness, interagency coordination, and public trust. Czech soldiers were critical in providing logistical and medical support, maintaining internal security, and assisting with strategic planning. Deployed personnel reported significant personal and professional development, while beneficiary institutions emphasised the military’s adaptability and responsiveness. Although challenges in coordination and communication emerged, the military’s contribution was widely regarded as indispensable. The results underscore the evolving role of armed forces in non-traditional security contexts, contributing to broader debates on civil–military relations, crisis governance, and the militarisation of public health responses.