The soldiers recruited mostly from Podolian and Ruthenian "szlachta" (nobility), and while in service were stationed at Kamieniec Podolski (Kamianets-Podilskyi, now Ukraine), Trembowla (Terebovl) and the fortress of Bar. Service in the formation provided the recruits with valuable military experience in a tough environment which made the "Obrona potoczna" one of the best units of the overall Polish armed forces of the time. In addition to protecting the frontier, "Obrona potoczna" also took part in regular military engagements, for example in the Polish victory against the Moldovans, at the Battle of Obertyn. After the military reforms of king Stefan Batory in 1563, "Obronna potoczna" was replaced by the "Wojsko kwarciane" ("Quarter Army"), an actual standing army. Many of the best soldiers in Batory's army during the Livonian War were former regimental leaders of the "Obrona potoczna".