SERE Training

military · survival skills · training · history

Started in World War II. The British military invented SERE training during World War II to help their soldiers stay alive in tough situations. It was designed especially for pilots who might get shot down behind enemy lines.

Four important skills. SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. Survival means staying alive in wild places, evasion means hiding from enemies, resistance means staying strong if caught, and escape means getting away from captors safely.

The U.S. took it on. After World War II ended, the U.S. Air Force created their own SERE program and later shared it with the Navy and Marines. During the Korean War, they added even more training on how to resist if soldiers were captured.

Code of conduct focus. SERE training teaches military personnel to follow a code of conduct and hold onto their values no matter what happens. This helps soldiers stay mentally strong and make the right choices in terrible situations.

Especially for pilots. Pilots needed SERE skills the most because being shot down meant facing survival alone in enemy territory with no help nearby.