I was stationed in the PI from ‘83-’85. As a Naval Aviator I had the opportunity to go to JEST, (Jungle Environment Survival School). The Negrito instructors were excellent. Short in stature, but wise in the ways of the jungle. I learned which jungle vines I could cut and get fresh water from. I learned how to get water from the broad leaves of certain plants. I learned the things you could eat and survive on, and the things not to eat. They taught me how to make a hammock out of jungle vines to sleep on, to keep me away from the creepy crawlies on the jungle floor. I spent 2 of the worst nights of my life getting eaten alive by bugs, but I learned a lot. Miserable, but excellent training. 3rd best training I ever had in the military.
Navy flight school, which was super challenging and shaped my life and provided me with a career is #1.
2nd best training was SERE School, (Survivor, Evasion, Rescue, and Escape). It’s notorious for the waterboarding. There’s a lot more to it than that. Most of my fellow newly winged aviators came away from that school with one of 2 attitudes. 1. I’m going to ride it in, or 2. I’ve learned that I can survive anything. Bring it on. I was in the latter group.
Anyway, back to the Negritos, they were excellent in their role as instructors. After the school I had the opportunity to buy some of their blow guns, cross bows, and a cool machete which was made from an old leaf spring from a military jeep. I still have that, and have put it to good use over the last 40 years. The rest I gave away as gifts, and I wish I still had them.
The Negritos were recognized as a separate people in the PI back then, and it doesn’t surprise me that they settled Taiwan, too.
I’ve driven by the SERE school at Fairchild AFB. That was the extent of my contact with it. I know that school attendees also train in the Colville National Forest.