SERE school (Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion)

[phrogdriver]

Went to SERE about a month ago. I think SERE is great for the average young sailor who has never spent a night in the field or felt threatened by violence, but I don't think that it should be a huge priority for Marine pilots. We've been through a lot of BS, starting in Quantico (or the boat school), up until now.

Was it miserable--yes. Did I learn anything--certainly. Should it be a requirement--ehh, probably not. Did I buy the t-shirt--sadly, yes.

I thought it was some of the best training I've had in the military. Some of the fieldcraft stuff was a little hokey, but most of the rest was really good training. I think it's of a completely different nature than the BS of Quantico.

I don't know if we should hold up the bus for everyone, but it does need to be a bigger priority. In my peer group of 8 or 10 guys at my first squadron, only 2 of us went. That's crap, especially when Navy pilots on certain platforms that have effectively 0% change of falling into enemy hands had 100% completion rates.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Something that I find very irritating is that some of my class had absolutely no reason to be there, (you know who you are combat camera!) and to think that Marine Aircrew are not getting this training just because of budget issues makes me sick.

This is the reason why no grunt has jump wings unless they are recon or something, but it seems like every time you go into admin at least one person has wings because they got to go to the school as an incentive or reward or something.

 

[phrogdriver]

We had a Marine from DFAS in Kansas City in my SERE class as a re-enlistment incentive. Go combat disbo!

 

[mmx1]

That's moto.....I guess.

 

[Herc_Dude]

We had a Marine from DFAS in Kansas City in my SERE class as a re-enlistment incentive. Go combat disbo!

Freakin masochists ...

 

[Harrier Dude]

It's not money (for once)....it's slots. The navy sends all of their guys through and the Marine Corps gets what's left over. We prioritize them as we see fit. Mainly single seat guys, etc.

The good news is that the pilots that get "screwed" by not going are largely our chopper guys, who at a minumum, will go down with 3 other dudes with rifles. Possibly even a squad (fire team minus if it's a phrog). Smiles....of course.

It's a great school, but other than the resistance lab, you're not missing anything that you didn't see times 10 at TBS.

 

[nittany03]

Freakin masochists ...

He/she was probably thinking the same thing by the end . . .

Enter San Diego thinking how badass it is that you're going to SERE. Exit with your tail between your legs, 10 lbs lighter, foggily wondering how you made it through all that shit as you beeline to the nearest shower and rack.

 

[zab1001]

beeline for a toilet is more like it.

 

[BullGator]

I thought it was some of the best training I've had in the military. Some of the fieldcraft stuff was a little hokey, but most of the rest was really good training. I think it's of a completely different nature than the BS of Quantico.

I don't know if we should hold up the bus for everyone, but it does need to be a bigger priority. In my peer group of 8 or 10 guys at my first squadron, only 2 of us went. That's crap, especially when Navy pilots on certain platforms that have effectively 0% change of falling into enemy hands had 100% completion rates.

The second paragraph displays my confusion almost exactly. I know that some Navy aviation guys/gals (my OR did as a helo pilot) will fly over hostile territory somewhat frequently, but for the most part they are doing over-sea missions. While on the other hand, Marine aviation guys/gals are frequently if not exclusively flying over hostile territory on their missions. It just makes more sense to me to make it a priority for Marine NAs/NFOs to go to SERE training before Naval officers, but I don't make the budgets. :icon_wink Thanks for the responses guys.

I've been watching some SERE training excerpts on this new MOJO channel's Survival series (on the show they go for ~2months, instead of 2 weeks, following AF guys) just for kicks; it seems like a good time, but the type of good time that you have to be there to enjoy.

 

[Herc_Dude]

... it seems like a good time, but the type of good time that you have to be there to enjoy.

You will never see the "best" parts on TV - it is just too good to be shared with the general public.

 

[BullGator]

You will never see the "best" parts on TV - it is just too good to be shared with the general public.

I pretty much figured as much about missing the "best" parts. The show focuses on survival with some evasion training. I haven't seen too much on the resistance or escape portions of training, and I'm sure they don't show the really fun stuff for survival and evasion either. Like OCS (actually more so than OCS), I think SERE training is one of those things that is futile to "prepare for."

 

[HeyJoe]

I think SERE training is one of those things that is futile to "prepare for."

You could read a few books on POW experiences from Vietnam and realize what they went through was an ordeal and what you'll experience is just realistic training.

Here's a few on my shelf:

 

[nittany03]

I think SERE training is one of those things that is futile to "prepare for."

PT. A lot. It helps.

 

[Bolter]

The second paragraph displays my confusion almost exactly. I know that some Navy aviation guys/gals (my OR did as a helo pilot) will fly over hostile territory somewhat frequently, but for the most part they are doing over-sea missions. While on the other hand, Marine aviation guys/gals are frequently if not exclusively flying over hostile territory on their missions. It just makes more sense to me to make it a priority for Marine NAs/NFOs to go to SERE training before Naval officers, but I don't make the budgets. :icon_wink Thanks for the responses guys.

Welcome to the Blue/ Green team brother. SERE is a Navy school, paid for mostly by Navy $$$. The Marine Corps pays for our slots, but the funding of the actual school is blue money. Just like Harrier Dude said, we get the scraps. Had I not learned this and accepted it years ago, I would have been blown away by some of the MOSs in the Navy that were present in the classroom.

 

[Clux4]

Welcome to the Blue/ Green team brother. SERE is a Navy school, paid for mostly by Navy $$$. The Marine Corps pays for our slots, but the funding of the actual school is blue money. Just like Harrier Dude said, we get the scraps. Had I not learned this and accepted it years ago, I would have been blown away by some of the MOSs in the Navy that were present in the classroom.

Same deal with dive school, and jump school.