SERE advice?

nick4060

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I'm headed to Fairchild soon for combat survival training. Also have to do advanced beatings and water survival. Anyone been there (Bullet??) and have some tips to pass on? Specifically, if there's any gear that I should take with me that could make it go a bit easier, besides the required stuff.
 
I'm headed to Fairchild soon for combat survival training. Also have to do advanced beatings and water survival. Anyone been there (Bullet??) and have some tips to pass on? Specifically, if there's any gear that I should take with me that could make it go a bit easier, besides the required stuff.

Not sure you'll find anyone to spill the beans on this one.

It's really best to go with no pre-conceived idea of what to expect. I'm sure it's changed a lot over the years, I think Scoutpilot described it the best, "It will be some of the best training you will have, along with some very dark moments"

Oh, and making it "Go easier", that's not the idea.
 
Not sure you'll find anyone to spill the beans on this one.

It's really best to go with no pre-conceived idea of what to expect. I'm sure it's changed a lot over the years, I think Scoutpilot described it the best, "It will be some of the best training you will have, along with some very dark moments"

Oh, and making it "Go easier", that's not the idea.

Yeah. There's a non-disclosure statement for that type of training. Just do what you've been told.
 
While I haven't gone yet (probably going in 2015), I am surrounded by people who have. The general consensus? Sucks but its good training and you'll be fine.

The only consistent tip I hear - take Sterno for warmth.

Good luck. You'll be fine. :)
 
I'm not looking for any inside info that's going to compromise the integrity of the training. There's a list of required items that they expect you bring, and then a list of optional items. I'm just wondering if some optional stuff like a camelbak, headlamp, personal knife, etc. are worth bringing, or if it won't make any real difference. Thanks for the replies!
 
I'm headed to Fairchild soon for combat survival training. Also have to do advanced beatings and water survival. Anyone been there (Bullet??) and have some tips to pass on? Specifically, if there's any gear that I should take with me that could make it go a bit easier, besides the required stuff.

Like others have said, the best advice I could give you (and this is coming from a guy who went a looooong time ago; we were taught how to catch and cook dinosaurs :biggrin:) is to listen and learn. Really good stuff taught at all three schools. (I also went to acrtic survival as well, also a good course)

From what I remember about survival, they issue everything you bring into the field with you (and will check you aren't bringing anything else). For flyers, it was everything we had in our ejection seat kits and the typical survival vest gear. No need to bring anything else, these kits are well stocked after years of experience and lessons learned from actual survival situations.

Only advice on what to bring besides that is pretty obvious. Bring one of your older field uniforms or flight suits for the field portion, and an older set of boots. They will be TRASHED afterwards.

Oh, and don't make plans to travel (or even go out) the night your course is scheduled to finish if you have the option. You'll be simply too tired to do anything but sleep for a half day afterwards. Trust me.:thumb:
 
Wow. You can tell it's the Air Force version. Sterno?

That, and the fact the course is taught at the 8th grade level. WAAAAAAY to complex for the Army guys to follow. The AF textbooks even have WORDS and not the Beetle Bailey cartoons the Army has to use to explain how to turn on a flashlight. :thumb:
 
A camelback, they really allow that?

I think the camel back is pretty much standard issue for most ground units, and included in most aircrew survival kits now (you'd be surprised how much you can fit in that seat!).

I heard they tried to include a wedge (world's simplest tool) as part of Army and Marine survival kits, but it proved to be too complex for the Army guys to figure out, and the Marines just ended up eating them. :biggrin:

Drops mike, exits stage left...... (more like: "Ducks and looks for return fire")
 
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We had to build our own fires. You know, like men.

LMAO...sterno.

We learned to build our own fire as well. But we're also taught to us the tolls we have on hand. You know, like smart men.

SMH... Army likes to do it the dumb way because it's somehow "tougher".
 
I'm headed to Fairchild soon for combat survival training. Also have to do advanced beatings and water survival. Anyone been there (Bullet??) and have some tips to pass on? Specifically, if there's any gear that I should take with me that could make it go a bit easier, besides the required stuff.

Son did SERE in March and he said to get a pair of Gore-Tex pants. They will be indispensable if there is snow or rain (likely) while you are out there. They will tell you about this while in the academics portion, but the BX at Fairchild will be hit-or-miss with sizes and there won't be time to go off base and shop. Get some before you get up to Washington to make sure you have them.

Stealth_81
 
We learned to build our own fire as well. But we're also taught to us the tolls we have on hand. You know, like smart men.

SMH... Army likes to do it the dumb way because it's somehow "tougher".

Actually, it's the smart way. If you're proficient at building a fire from nothing, you can always survive. Any idiot can light some sterno.
 
Like others have said, the best advice I could give you (and this is coming from a guy who went a looooong time ago; we were taught how to catch and cook dinosaurs :biggrin:) is to listen and learn. Really good stuff taught at all three schools. (I also went to acrtic survival as well, also a good course)

From what I remember about survival, they issue everything you bring into the field with you (and will check you aren't bringing anything else). For flyers, it was everything we had in our ejection seat kits and the typical survival vest gear. No need to bring anything else, these kits are well stocked after years of experience and lessons learned from actual survival situations.

Only advice on what to bring besides that is pretty obvious. Bring one of your older field uniforms or flight suits for the field portion, and an older set of boots. They will be TRASHED afterwards.

Oh, and don't make plans to travel (or even go out) the night your course is scheduled to finish if you have the option. You'll be simply too tired to do anything but sleep for a half day afterwards. Trust me.:thumb:

I figured as much about the uniforms getting trashed. Thankfully I have a set of boots that are already close to the end of their lives.

Son did SERE in March and he said to get a pair of Gore-Tex pants. They will be indispensable if there is snow or rain (likely) while you are out there. They will tell you about this while in the academics portion, but the BX at Fairchild will be hit-or-miss with sizes and there won't be time to go off base and shop. Get some before you get up to Washington to make sure you have them.
Stealth_81

I hadn't thought of that. Shouldn't have to worry about snow in the summer but I'm sure itll be raining a ton.
 
I hadn't thought of that. Shouldn't have to worry about snow in the summer but I'm sure itll be raining a ton.

If your there in the summer, it won't be raining in that part of Washington, more like mid 80's to high 90's, rain would be a blessing. just be careful not to light my state on fire with that Sterno.
 
Goretex pants
Dress in layers
(It sucks to crap in the woods with a flight suit...pants are nice.)
Camelbaks are convenient...

Say hi to Mongo. :thumb:
 
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