The paper explores two decades of experience with the fully professional Czech Armed Forces (hereinafter CAF), introduced in 2005, which marked the end of more than two centuries of conscription-based military service. Drawing on available data and public opinion research, it examines the reasons behind the transformation and its implementation and the public’s experiences, attitudes, and views on the military. The analysis shows that professionalization has led to improvements in the quality and operational readiness of the armed forces, as well as a positive shift in public perception. At the same time, it reveals the limitations of the professional army model in the context of a changing security environment and the growing need to expand military capacity. The paper highlights the importance of developing new forms of civic participation in defence and strengthening the connection between the military and society as a key condition for the sustainability of the Czech Republic’s defence capabilities.