SERE, an acronym for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape, is an essential part of training for the US Special Forces, to prepare the most elite soldiers for the worst-case scenarios of their missions.

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Developed in the aftermath of the Korean War, SERE training was a response to the brutal treatment American POWs suffered. The Department of Defense recognized the need for a program that would equip military personnel with the necessary skills to survive, evade capture, resist interrogation, and escape from enemy territory – far beyond that of basic training.

This training was specifically designed for personnel whose roles may involve high-risk operations behind enemy lines, such as the Special Forces, aircrew members, and certain intelligence (covert) operatives. The SERE training program is a comprehensive curriculum that covers a broad spectrum of survival skills. It’s divided into three main phases: Survival and Evasion, Resistance, and Escape.

It’s important to note that the specifics of the training, including the precise methods, techniques, and exercises used, are not publicly available due to the sensitive nature of this information. It’s crucial to keep these details confidential to maintain the effectiveness of the training and to protect the personnel who may need to use these skills in real-world situations.

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      Survival and Evasion

The first part of SERE training is the Survival and Evasion phase. It’s intended to equip trainees with the ability to survive in hostile environments and evade enemy forces. This phase includes both actual classroom instruction and practical exercises in the field (“street” and “book” type training).


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The survival training is conducted in a variety of environments, such as urban, desert, mountainous, jungle, and arctic conditions, to ensure that trainees are prepared for any situation they might encounter.

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      Resistance

The second phase, known as the Resistance phase, is designed to prepare trainees for the possibility of capture and subsequent interrogation by enemy forces. This phase focuses on teaching trainees how to resist giving up crucial information under physical and psychological pressure (traditional and enhanced interrogation).


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The Resistance phase is designed to help trainees understand their personal strengths and weaknesses in the face of adversity, and to develop the mental resilience and pain tolerance necessary to withstand harsh conditions and extreme stress.

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      Escape

The final phase of SERE training is the Escape phase. Here, trainees are taught techniques and strategies for escaping from enemy captivity. This training includes studying the layout of different types of detention facilities, learning how to exploit weaknesses in these facilities, and understanding the best times and methods to attempt an escape.


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This knowledge can help trainees blend in with the local population, increase their chances of successful escape, and aid in their survival once they have escaped. As escaping captivity often requires further levels of escape after the fact; property, land, street, city, region, country etc.

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One of the key elements of SERE training is the development of a ‘survival mindset‘. Trainees are taught that the will to survive is paramount, and that mental toughness can often be the difference between life and death in survival situations. This mindset is fostered through the aforementioned challenging physical training, survival tasks, and drills that push trainees to their limits.

As for the “schools” of SERE training, the U.S. military uses a range of facilities, each specializing in different environments. For example, the Navy operates a facility in Maine specializing in cold weather survival training, while the Army runs a SERE training center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Air Force has SERE training facilities in Washington and Texas, among other locations.

SERE training is a crucible that tests and strengthens the resolve of the U.S. military’s most elite personnel. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to survive and succeed in the most challenging and hostile environments.

The program encapsulates the essence of the Special Forces ethos: adaptability, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to the mission, no matter the odds.

[INTEL : The Art of Being Hard to Kill]
[OPTICS : SERE Training School]