SERE 100.2 (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) is a training program administered by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). It prepares military personnel, DoD civilians, and private military contractors for potential survival scenarios.
The program focuses on the principles of survival, evasion, resistance, and escape and offers skills, techniques, and strategies for surviving and returning with honor.
The course is typically divided into academic instruction, followed by simulated scenarios to apply the learned theories.
The SERE training is vital as it provides individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge to face challenging and unpredictable situations when isolated or captured by enemy forces. This can occur during war, peace, or unconventional conflicts.
The primary aim of the training is to increase personnel’s survival chances in case of isolation and uphold the U.S. military Code of Conduct. SERE training also emphasizes the psychological and physical stressors one might encounter, helping individuals better prepare mentally and physically for such events. The ultimate goal is to return home with honor.
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The Code of Conduct guides service members to carry out their responsibilities and behave honorably in the face of enemy capture. It consists of six articles:
- I am an American, fighting in the forces that guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in defense of them.
- I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
- If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
- If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will not give any information or take part in any action that might harm my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and support them in every way.
- When questioned about whether to become a prisoner of war, I will give only my name, rank, service number, and date of birth. To the best of my ability, I will evade answering further questions. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
- I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
SERE 100.2 Pre-test Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What pre-deployment document requires you to provide, four personal authentication statements, full front and right side photographs, and fingerprints? | DD Form 1833 Isolated Personnel Report (ISOPREP) (correct) |
| What are some methods to purify water? (Select all that apply) | Boiling vigorously for at least one minute (correct), Chemically treating water with chlorine or iodine, Purifying with a commercial micro filter (correct) |
| You should limit your communication with the captor to which of the following? (Select all that apply) | Identify yourself Ask to be returned to U.S. control Provide the innocent circumstances leading to capture Address health and welfare concerns |
| The Evasion Plan of Action (EPA) provides recovery forces the following information should you become isolated. (Select all that apply) | Ensure you detail the factors concerning the methods and procedures you intend to use to communicate with recovery forces, Your evasion intentions and key recovery information, It helps them to anticipate your actions and intentions should you become isolated |
| The Code of Conduct is your moral guide from isolation to captivity resolution | True |
| One way to gain acceptance from the local population after making contact is to discuss the similarities between your religions. This helps to show you are peaceful and mean no harm. | False |
| Upon your release, a DoD Public Affairs Officer (PAO) will be available to help you. Their goal is to_______________________________________. (Select all that apply) | help you regain control over your life, coordinate your interactions with the media |
| The Code of Conduct is a ____________ for military members when isolated or held against their will by entities hostile to the U.S. | moral guide |
| To which article of the Code of Conduct does the following statement refer? If captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy. | Article III |
| Resistance is a BATTLE OF WITS with your captor | False |
| An effective memory tool that can assist you with using situational awareness during an isolating event is the acronym PAID-E, which stands for perceive, ______________, interpret, decide, and execute. | analyze |
| Which of the following are criteria for selecting a shelter site? (Select all that apply) | Provides natural protection from environment, hazards, and threats, Sufficient materials are available for constructing a shelter, The area is large enough for you and your equipment |
| The three basic food sources during isolation are packed rations, animals and insects, and plants. | True |
| Identify elements of Article II of the Code of Conduct. (Select all that apply) | Military members are never authorized to surrender (correct), During military operations outside declared hostilities you may delay contact with local authorities (correct) |
| During a hole-up what is your primary concern? | Security |
| Which evasion aids can assist you with making contact with the local population? (Select all that apply) | Pointee-Talkee (correct), Cultural Smart Cards (correct) |
| Limiting the amount of personal information available to others includes reducing your ______________ footprint, and personal information items not required for your operational mission such as credit cards and other identifiable items in your wallet or purse. | social media (correct) |
| Identify some posture and resistance constants of an effective resistance posture. (Select all that apply) | Stall, Bounce back, Control emotions |
| The two types of reporting isolating events are observer-reported and media reporting. | False |
| Which of the following are used to control bleeding? (Select all that apply) | Use a tourniquet, Elevate and immobilize, Apply direct pressure |
| The weakened state of the captives’ ____________reduces their capacity to collectively resist adversary exploitation efforts. Acceptance of special favors also provides an opening for an adversary’s future exploitation efforts against you. | organization |
| As part of your resistance posture you should portray ______ at all times. | innocence |
| Actions to take when capture is imminent include. (Select all that apply) | Try to retain your personal cell phone Leave evidence of presence at capture point Sanitize personal or sensitive materials |
| What evasion aid is tailored to cover an individual operational area, combining standard navigation charts and maps with evasion and survival information? | Evasion chart |
| When are personnel ALWAYS authorized to escape? | When in physical or mortal danger |
| You should attempt to provide proof of life during any audio or video recording or written documents? | True |
| Unlike a wartime situation, where the senior ranking member takes command of all prisoners, in a hostage situation, the most capable member must take command to ensure survivability. | False |
| What should you do during USG negotiations for your release? (Select all that apply) | Have faith in the USG, Remain professional and avoid exploitation, Maintain your honor and communicate your innocence |
| When providing proof of life what information should you include? (Select all that apply) | You and your fellow captives’ identities, A verifiable date, Your health and welfare |
| Tactical hand-held radio transceivers, cell phones, satellite phones, and personal locator beacons (PLBs) are devices you could use for electronic communication. | True |
| Should your captors provide an opportunity to communicate using written, oral, or video means, you should: | Provide proof of life |
| Selecting a signaling site and putting your signal in a suitable location is critical. A signaling site is defined as any site, based on your situation that enhances signaling efforts and the likelihood for the signal to be detected by friendly forces. What is a signaling site criterion? (Select all that apply) | Site hidden from potential enemy observation and ground fire, Sufficient materials for signal construction, Recovery possible from/near site |
| During a direct action recovery, you should pick up a weapon and assist the recovery team. | False |
| Continuously learning about your captivity environment and the captor is known as | situational awareness |
| Leaving evidence of your presence supports U.S. Government effort to locate, identify and recover you. | True |
| In the event of isolation during operations other than war, the reasons to delay contact with legitimate authorities include. (Select all that apply) | Gain situational awareness, Contact friendly forces |
| Identify steps in building a fire. (Select all that apply) | Use a platform, Prepare adequate amounts of tinder, kindling, and fuel, Carefully place small, dry kindling over the burning tinder |
| What are some de-escalation strategies personnel can use to discourage captor violence? (Select all that apply) | Be conscious of your body language, Maintain a low profile |
| To which article of the Code of Conduct does the following statement refer? When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause. | Article V |
| What are the goals of using a disguise? (Select all that apply) | Pass initial scrutiny, Prevent recognition |
Survival
Basics of Survival
The Will to Survive
The will to survive is arguably the most crucial survival tool. It’s about the determination to live, the refusal to give up, and the ability to focus on survival despite the hardships and challenges. It involves leveraging fear in a positive manner, maintaining a positive mental attitude, and making the decision to survive no matter what.
Survival Priorities
Typically, survival priorities are based on the “Rule of Threes”, which states: humans can survive approximately 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours in extreme weather conditions without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. However, priorities may change based on specific circumstances.
Survival Planning
Survival planning involves understanding and preparing for possible threats, creating a plan of action for survival scenarios, and ensuring you have the necessary tools, resources, and knowledge to execute the plan.
Environmental Considerations
These relate to understanding the specifics of the environment where you are operating – its weather patterns, wildlife, water sources, edible plants, and potential dangers. Knowledge of these factors is crucial to adapting and surviving in that environment.
Survival Skills
Shelter Construction
The ability to construct a shelter can protect you from harsh weather conditions and regulate body temperature. The type of shelter constructed will depend on the environment and available materials.
Fire Making
Fire is essential for warmth, cooking, purifying water, signaling, and protection from wildlife. Being able to start and maintain a fire with a variety of tools and in different conditions is a vital survival skill.
Water Procurement
Water is more critical to survival than food. Knowing how to find, purify, and store water is key to staying hydrated and maintaining bodily functions.
Food Procurement
Finding food in survival situations involves knowing what plants, animals, or insects are safe to eat, as well as how to trap or fish if necessary.
Health Considerations in a Survival Situation
This includes understanding how to manage physical injuries, prevent infection, maintain hygiene, and deal with potential psychological impacts such as stress and fear.
Signaling and Recovery
Understanding how to effectively signal for help, such as using fires, flares, or creating noticeable marks in the landscape, can aid in your recovery. It’s also crucial to know how to interact with recovery forces when they arrive.
Evasion
Evasion involves all the measures taken to avoid capture by the enemy. This includes understanding the basics of camouflage, stealth movement, hiding, and escape. Evasion requires both mental and physical preparation, knowledge of terrain, and an understanding of enemy behavior.
An Evasion Plan of Action (EPA) is a premeditated plan that outlines what to do in the event of an isolation incident. The EPA contains key information like planned routes, travel times, terrain analysis, hide sites, food and water sources, and communication plans.
Camouflage involves blending in with the environment to avoid detection. This can include dressing in colors that match the environment, covering shiny objects, and using natural materials to blend in. Concealment refers to the act of hiding from sight, which can involve finding or creating natural shelters or hide sites.
Being able to navigate through unknown terrains is a key evasion skill. This includes understanding how to use a map and compass, celestial navigation, landmark recognition, and using the natural environment to find your way.
Travel techniques in evasion are methods that increase your chances of remaining undetected while moving. Techniques include understanding when to move (typically at night or during low visibility), how to cross open areas, how to use terrain features for concealment, and the importance of leaving minimal trace of your movement.
Resistance
Captivity refers to a situation where an individual is held against their will by an enemy force. It’s a complex and highly stressful environment where individuals may face physical and psychological torture, malnutrition, and disease. SERE training prepares personnel to withstand such conditions and resist exploitation attempts by the captor.
Rights and Obligations in Captivity
As per the Geneva Conventions, captive personnel have certain rights and obligations. They must be treated humanely, provided with adequate food and medical care, and not subjected to physical or mental torture. They are required to provide only their name, rank, service number, and date of birth to their captors.
Resistance Postures
Resistance postures refer to the attitudes and behaviors that captive personnel adopt to resist exploitation attempts. They might include the use of delay tactics when questioned, maintaining a low profile, supporting fellow captives, and making every effort to refuse to comply with captor demands that go beyond the requirements of the Geneva Conventions.
Exploitation
Exploitation in a captivity context refers to any attempt by the captor to use the captive for propaganda, intelligence, or other purposes that may harm the captive’s country or its allies. Techniques to resist exploitation include understanding the manipulative tactics employed by captors and being prepared to counter them.
Conduct after Capture
The conduct after capture involves adhering to the Code of Conduct, maintaining discipline, continuing resistance efforts, taking care of one’s health, maintaining a sense of time, communicating with fellow prisoners, and planning for escape.
Resistance Strategies
Resistance strategies are the techniques and approaches used by captives to counter captor demands, maintain morale, and resist exploitation. They might include the use of nonverbal signals to communicate with fellow captives, a pre-established code of behavior to maintain unity and discipline, and both passive and active resistance to captor orders.
Escape
Escape planning involves assessing the captivity situation, evaluating the risk vs. reward of escape, and devising a strategy to exit the captive location without being detected. It includes determining the best time and route for escape, understanding guard routines and potential weaknesses in the captivity location, and planning for navigation and survival after the escape.
Execution of Escape Plan
Executing an escape plan involves implementing the pre-devised strategy. This may involve stealthy movement, overcoming physical obstacles, evading capture during the escape, and moving towards a safe location.
During execution, the plan might need to be adjusted based on unexpected changes or challenges.
Reintegration Process
The reintegration process begins once the escapee contacts friendly forces. It involves medical assessment and treatment, psychological support, debriefing to gather potentially valuable information about the captor and the captivity location, and helping the individual return to regular duty or civilian life.
The process is designed to ensure the individual’s health and wellbeing and to utilize the information they have acquired to aid in the recovery of other captives or for future SERE training.
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