SERE

Quertillia

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Oct 29, 2008
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Hello. So I've been reading about SERE and I'm really confused. Does the air force still require aircrew to go through hands-on training in tough environments? I keep reading that they're getting rid of the program, and I'm really worried because if I ended up becoming a pilot I would want to know how to deal with getting captured. Sorry if this is a stupid question.
 
Q, it's been said before, and is worth repeating: you're here, competing for a position in one of the nation's premier undergraduate institutions which also happens to be one of the world's premier military training programs. You've proven yourself, you don't need to worry about ANY question you ask. NONE are "stupid".

As to your actual questions:

1) To the best of my knowledge, SERE training is still ongoing and it's planned to keep it that way. Perhaps you're reading about how some of the aspects of the SERE program were used as part of the interrogation techniques by the CIA recently. The so-called "torture" debate. In a typical knee-jerk reaction, there has been some misguided protests by some to shut down the school. Pretty short-sighted, IMO, as there IS valuable training getting done there. Perhaps a better lesson would be to keep the school for its intended purposes (prepare our own military members for what "might happen"), but not allow the stuff that goes on "in there" to be used for other purposes.

2) From my own experience, very valuable training. But something I would NEVER want to accomplish again, or look forward to. But it did help me learn my own personal limits, and gave me some comfort to know that I can hopefully handle what may come. On a personal note, I much preferred the training right before SERE: Land survival. Much more valuable to me to learn how to run and hide. I'll let Rambo worry about getting captured so he can personally take on the bad guys from the inside, I'd rather be hiding out in a hole until the Jolly Green full of Marines is hovering overhead!
 
I love how the protesters always demonstrate waterboarding as protest...


IF IT'S THAT BAD, YOU WOULDN'T BE DOING IT TO YOURSELF.

I can't speak from experience, though. I honestly can't wait for the opportunity to take SERE. As miserable as it would be, I think it would be well worth it in the end, and a valuable lesson.
 
Bullet said it brilliantly!
(Dangit...and he's a back-seater... :shake: )

But to put it accurately: "he shacked" that answer.

I too...would NEVER want to do that again...ever...EVER! BUT...it taught me a TON about myself. And I agree with the assessment of the land survival: GREAT training!! I actually enjoyed that part!

Again though, I have to agree with Bullet...while we like to "in fun" trade jabs with the jarheads...er...US Marines...

To an evading flyer happiness is a squad of marines appearing overhead/on the ground/etc., saying: "Gee sir...where you been? Aren't you ready for a cold beer and burger? Let's roll!" :thumb:
 
If i am correct the academy got rid of it for a while, but have reintroduced it as CST, combat survival training. the current 4digs were saying this is the first class that has it as a mandatory summer program except for IC's and some other group. So this is where the confusion might have come from. there is no SERE anymore, but rather CST.
 
If i am correct the academy got rid of it for a while, but have reintroduced it as CST, combat survival training. the current 4digs were saying this is the first class that has it as a mandatory summer program except for IC's and some other group. So this is where the confusion might have come from. there is no SERE anymore, but rather CST.

Well...maybe not at USAFA but unless I missed the memo (could have, getting older...) the "SERE" at Fairchild AFB is alive and well.

And if you're in aviation; especially a combat airframe...you WILL visit the mountains, the compound, etc...
 
Isn't the new CST actual SERE training, just with a different name? That's what I've heard, maybe one of the cadets knows...
 
yeah that's what i was saying. Wasn't clear enough. That's what the cadets told me and I think the gist of what we were briefed on in regards to summer programs.
 
Well I think I remember being told that it was now taught exclusively by SERE instructors instead of being taught in part by cadets. It may not be the full training though, doesn't that last more than 3 weeks?
 
here's what i know, and what i can say.

as far as i've heard, it's still called CST- combat survival training. it's 3 weeks long. they put some of the class of 2011 and 2010 through it last summer so they can teach this summer. so we WILL have cadets teaching part of CST. we'll also have instructors from fairchild afb (where you get sent for SERE when you go active) who will be doing a portion of the resistance training, but not the full fledged like it used to be or like you'll get when you're active. so it's cadet/instructor run, and it's not full SERE. but we are having parts of the resistance training
 
:yay:
Cool. Thanks for clearing that up. I've been wondering about it since I first saw this thread.
 
My son went through the CST training last summer, as well as the instructor training. He will be one of the instructors for CST this summer. He is really looking forward to it.

Stealth_81
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. This is something that I'd been wondering about for ages and now it finally makes sense. Thanks a lot!
 
Survivial Training on Hula

My son, an appointee of 2013, has watched every episode of the Survial Training series through Hula. Funny thing is, he gets more and more excited after each episode... says he "loves this stuff". I guess its the G I Joe in him!
 
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