I'd like to find out more information on the Navy's SEREs training. I've tried to find information on it, but not much luck. Marine friends of mine have told me there's different levels of SEREs and depends on ones MOS as to which training they will get. While I'm not sure if I believe him or not, one friend said a guy he went to Iraq with had got into SEREs and did the top level, where they had to sign a waiver and that he ended up with a broken arm after the event. Another who just went through it, said he got about a week of training then they were sent out into the land to 'survive' while being hunted. I was just curious if there was anyone who'd done it and could tell me more of what it's like.

You aren't going to find out much as a lot of the material is classified. I just know I'm not looking forward to it since I'm going to have to go within the next 2 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaydone:
I'd like to find out more information on the Navy's SEREs training. I've tried to find information on it, but not much luck. Marine friends of mine have told me there's different levels of SEREs and depends on ones MOS as to which training they will get. While I'm not sure if I believe him or not, one friend said a guy he went to Iraq with had got into SEREs and did the top level, where they had to sign a waiver and that he ended up with a broken arm after the event. Another who just went through it, said he got about a week of training then they were sent out into the land to 'survive' while being hunted. I was just curious if there was anyone who'd done it and could tell me more of what it's like.

I went through SERE last year at North Island. They had us sign a form that pretty much promised UCMJ action for divulging anything about the course. That is why you will find zero info on the internet about the course. The best way to know? Go through the course. It was the best school I ever went through while in the military. Definetly a no bullshit course.

Ah, see I didn't know that information about it was classified. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Sardoc32:

quote:

Originally posted by Shaydone:
I'd like to find out more information on the Navy's SEREs training. I've tried to find information on it, but not much luck. Marine friends of mine have told me there's different levels of SEREs and depends on ones MOS as to which training they will get. While I'm not sure if I believe him or not, one friend said a guy he went to Iraq with had got into SEREs and did the top level, where they had to sign a waiver and that he ended up with a broken arm after the event. Another who just went through it, said he got about a week of training then they were sent out into the land to 'survive' while being hunted. I was just curious if there was anyone who'd done it and could tell me more of what it's like.

I went through SERE last year at North Island. They had us sign a form that pretty much promised UCMJ action for divulging anything about the course. That is why you will find zero info on the internet about the course. The best way to know? Go through the course. It was the best school I ever went through while in the military. Definetly a no bullshit course.

Is the Field Phase still held up in/at Warner Springs, Calif.? I went through many moons ago, and ended up as an instructor after my tour in VN. NOT exactly a walk in the park for sure

It sure is Senior Chief

Is the Field Phase still held up in/at Warner Springs, Calif.? I went through many moons ago, and ended up as an instructor after my tour in VN. NOT exactly a walk in the park for sure
SERE training here is NOT a walk,,
Went thru in 1959, just after the Command had the abuse incident that triggered the UCMJ sign offs. SERE training, at that time, was held by ex Korean war POWs, who had first hand knowledge of how to deal with the bad guys.
end

Ouch, and I thought I had it bad when I went through...

I went through Navy SERE level D Warner Springs and Seal Beach near North Island...during Vietnam. I can tell you this. It is an extremely brutal no bullshit course and it has to be. The enemy is typically brutal so you must be trained to Survive, Evade, Resist and Escape. They use the waterboard..beatings,not love taps...real *** beatings.. solitary confinement..interegation...sleep depravation..starvation..etc etc.to bring out your worst fears..break you down mentally and physically to where you are basically withdrawn internally so your no longer aware of anything beyond your current situation. At this point the intensity increases to a breaking point level...you may actually believe that your a POW at some point and must have suffered memory loss of the caputure event..that being in training is a mistaken illusion. This is where you pass or fail...You will leave SERE knowing who you really are and or are not. While I cant say I or anyone every enjoyed the experience I can say that I am a stronger person due to SERE training. My final statement during the after action review was...
"This I now know! The Enemy will not take me alive...the last bullet will be mine."

During training I escaped three times and burned down the bamboo interegation hut...they kicked my *** six ways from Sunday for that but my response was..My mother beat me harder" From that point the beatings never stopped..

LAst memory in POW training was absolute madness surrounding me...next thing I know is we are debriefing in San Diego..and eating at the chow hall like a starved pig....

SERE nowadays is probably much more Politically Correct which in my opinion does nothing but leave the soldier unprepared for what to really expect.

There is no training in the military more extreme than SERE...only the enemy can offer you more...

FullByrd Private

Hot damn. Not going to lie, that sounds a lot more intimidating then jumping out of a plane. I don't know how it was back then...but I'm a female, they'd probably do same extremes?

I don't know about the female thing, truly have no idea. My son went last year. He said if he was Ever faced with the choice of going through SERE again and his career in flying, he would not fly again. He said there was a point he truly did not know that he was in the US. He was also pretty beat up/bruised. Nothing he experienced indicated "political correctness".

quote:

Originally posted by Shaydone:
Hot damn. Not going to lie, that sounds a lot more intimidating then jumping out of a plane. I don't know how it was back then...but I'm a female, they'd probably do same extremes?

They do

I schedule my students for SERE all of the time. Here is a very helpful link for you to find the information that you are looking for.

http://www.faso.navy.mil

Thank you.
It's very helpful. Though still all a bit intimidating. Honestly I didn't know much about what I might go through in joining, and going as aircrew.

Please don't let SERE school affect your decision to go through the aircrew pipeline. It's two weeks of your life, and you should have no problem. I went through in 1998, and although I didn't have the best of time there, it was by far the best school that I have ever been through. So, don't let that school defer you from any decisions that you might make.

I appreciate it. I suppose in part it's getting over my own 'fear' first. Big steps, the whole process of joining the Navy, at the same time, it’s curiosity and that wonder of how much I can take. I’m sure that SEREs will help with that…thank you again for the information.

Great course, not easy but you will learn a lot about yourself. Don't expect any special treatment as a female. The course is different depending on where you go and when. Going to MA in the winter really sucks, but you at least get your CWEST out of the way including SERE.

Thanks. I'm not really expecting anything to be different because I'm female, I was just curious. I mean a in a worst case sceniro a hostile isn't going to care, why should I be trained any differently. I've been very appreciated of all the information and input I've been able to get here. While there are still some apprehensive and nervous feelings, it’s better having at least a little knowledge. For now just have to take it as it comes. One step at a time. Finish prepping for Basic, then attending. Graduate. NACCS. A-School...SEREs.

My wife went through SERE as an Air Force Academy cadet in 1986. I'm not sure if the Navy's version is tougher than the AFA's or not but she did fine. A positive attitude is your best weapon.