one of my relatives went through SERE school years ago. To his day he doesn’t like camping.
I’ll bet the art of SERE peaked at the USAF Academy, late Viet Nam time frame, around 1969-71, as a necessary preparation for the barbarity of the prisons in the north. But, I’ve not seen what they do now. Visiting active duty NCOs who administered SERE for newly trained pilots in the USAF were pretty amazed at what the USAFA Cadet SERE Cadre “got away with”. Of course, with females on campus since the 80s, it is probably all ancient history.
So when they took him down to Pendleton on an unusually rainy night, he went out for about a day in the boonies and hide and evaded. When about 20 hours had gone by he was captured.
The Marines dressed up as “VC” put them into a barbwire enclosure and after a minor “interrogation” he gave up all they asked for... they let him go into a dry tent! He said an “VC” officer laughed and said he should given up sooner and not been so wet and cold for a day. They let him sleep and relax for the next day or so until the weekend was over.
So goes SERE training as and officer in a construction battalion. He said managing building construction was obviously not near as important as a pilot.
What a great article! Bookmarked. Thanks, Cindy!
Great article!
Very revealing article, thanks.
The brutality of current wars over and against wars in the past (before Korea/Viet Nam) is astounding. Man’s inhumanity to man by inhuman humans.
With Women in the Field . . . I for one do not believe they need to be there . . . it’s just too horrible to envision the torture al Qaeda or Taliban would do to a captured woman.
I went through SERE in 1967. All Navy Aircrew had to complete SERE before they went to Vietnam.
I don’t know how SERE operates today but back then they would lay hands on you with hostile intentions.
I was a young man back then and I remember thinking that every male in the USA should be forced to spend two weeks at SERE.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
I went through the 9th Division SERE course in 1977. The MI company was the cadre. One of the guest instructors had been a prisoner of the Japanese. I was the senior POW - not fun but very instructive.
Let me tell you as someone who has seen both sides of the training there is no more better qualified instructors than SERE.
They go through basic instructor class, then they go through SERE training (Just because you sign up to be an instructor, doesn't mean it is automatic) if you get through (and the instructors know who you are, just so you can get the full "appreciation of the training)and yes I was "waterboarded" you may evade for a while but everyone will get caught.
The training will last only for as long as it needs to, period.
As far as Seals taking over the camp, not likely unless they want to repeat the training (after they are busted), sure they get scoop from previous classes but the training shall we say is "fluid"
The best thing about SERE as a student is leaving and surviving with honor, the best thing about SERE as an instructor is doing some very worthwhile training to include waterboarding some arrogant prick, or someone who doesn't do what their are trained to do. but the best think is getting paid per-diem to beat people and a Kathy breakfast (This was a few years ago)
Been there and done that, but as I recall, anyone who went through it signed a document stating that they acknowledge that it is classified and that they are not at liberty to discuss the experience or any of the details relating to SERE.
I knew a Chief who was a SERE Instructor for four years. He said there was nothing like getting up at 4 AM, taking an ice cold shower, then beating the crap out of some JO first thing in the morning...
The point of the article is not about how hard SERE is (it is one of the hardest training course ANY military member around the world can undertake). The point of the article is that our military is chocked full of people that would willingly put themselves in harms way, for the love of their fellow soldiers.
They deserve respect and honor that the liberals in this country have not given them. Even our elected leaders figuratively spit on them with their rhetoric pandering to the rabid anti-military crowd.
The first rule of SERE training is that there is no SERE training. ;)
While in line awaiting waterboard treatment an Officer-Type grabbed me from behind and I flipped him over my shoulder and pinned him momentarily. Guess who went to the head of the line? Oh yeah, if you ever get waterboarded remember it is OK to breath in the water and pass out.
For later.
I hate when people do not capitalize the word Marine. I also hate that the military is letting journalists have access to places like this.
That said, my husband attended SERE school. I know a lot of Marines and naval Officers who attended as well.
bump
Thank you for posting this, Cindy.
Please, everyone, read the whole thing.