Immediately after World War II, the WOW's predecessor organization, the Internal Security Corps (Polish: Korpus Bezpieczeństwa Wewnętrznego - KBW) had suppressed the Home Army, which had been loyal to the London government-in-exile; the KBW had also played a large part in suppressing the Poznan workers in 1956.

The organization included many nonmilitary patriotic and social groups, such as the boy scouts, and many military retirees found soft assignments in OTK units.

By 1991 budget cuts were reducing personnel significantly, and plans called for transforming many OTK units into civil defense formations that would support production and service in the civilian economy.

The military Border Protection Troops (Polish: Wojska Ochrony Pogranicza) was disbanded in 1991, and replaced by the Straż Graniczna, whose commander reports to the Prime Minister.

[4] On November 16, 2016, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland passed the act establishing Territorial Defence Force from January 1, 2017.

[5] Their tasks, in addition to fighting against air attack means, air and sea landings, and combating enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups, included the protection of important facilities and communication routes, securing the regrouping of operational troops by maintaining bridges and building crossings, supporting the forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in maintaining public order during war, and participation in work for the national economy and the elimination of natural disasters during peace.