Hi everyone, i am a bonafide Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialist. I see alot of questions on here about the career field and so far no ones getting answers so if you need some, email me at david.jewell@yokota.af.mil

INCOMING!

This is an email correspondence from a SERE who's BTDT and had some great insight for me;he asked that I post it here:

1- A lot of the feedback I have gotten about SERE is that its basically "the greatest job in the AF." I understand there are only several hundred SERE's out there, but why dont more people do it if its so awesome .....there seems to be a high need for them. Is it just bc its difficult?

The selection process is quite rigorous, not physically but mentally. You must pass a psych exam before you can compete for the job, the profiling is similar to what a fighter pilot would score, so in other words if you don't fit the "mold" of what a SERE Specialist should be you will be deselected at this time.

2- Also from what folks have been telling me, SERE indoc has a very high drop out rate. What usually caused people to bail?

3- The key to INDOC is DO NOT QUIT. We don't want/need quitters in our job, when the going gets tough keep going. The key to INDOC is just showing that you are made of "fight", not so much stamina, most people cannot run 8 miles straight out of basic but if you can try and no matter how much it sucks, don't quit, and the instructors will keep you in the course. Most people get the impression that all we do is work out and punish ourselves physically; this is merely a tool they use at INDOC to weed out the people who aren't serious about doing something with passion and a desire to succeed. We build leaders that will make tough decisions directly from basic training, other jobs build worker bees that don't know how to think on their own and only know how to follow.



3- What was it like doing SERE indoc.?

INDOC was a pain, I saw 72 people go through and a total of 36 were selected to go to Tech School. Keep in mind this was 10 years ago but I'm sure it hasn't changed.

Was indoc. the main thing that killed people or was it the actual tech school? How big are they on teaching/leadership/speaking skills compared to superior athletic ablitiy?

The INDOC is not their job to teach you anything at all. They are there to keep you in shape physically and mentally and get you ready for Tech School. Athletic ability isn't really an issue, just don't quit!!!

4- I want to finish the last half of my bach. degree over the course of the next four yrs. Is that a realistic/ doable goal as a SERE?

YES! They make it so easy to go to college at the school house. You MUST complete an associates degree within 18 months of graduation, so if you have all the credits you need to go towards that already than you will do your bachelors requirements while your peers are doing their associates requirements.

5- Im trying to get an idea of where I stand physically. Im training pretty hard but just wanted to get some sort of idea what will be expected of me at INDOC. I can pass the PAST test, but Im assuming that barely holds a candle to what is req'd at INDOC. If you can pass the PAST test then you will be fine, that is the standard for all military schools. They will abuse you a little but nothing you can handle if you can pass the PAST test.

6- Any feedback or personal advice to be successful at Indoc. or anything else about SERE (thats not classified) is greatly appreciated.....Thanks for your insigt.

INDOC is just a small stepping stone, do not worry about passing or failing. SUCCESS should be your only option!! From the time you begin INDOC all you will hear is "if" you pass tech school, "if" you go to jump school, "if, if, if". You need to start telling your self now, it is not a matter of "if", it is a matter of "WHEN". That attitude will take you far.

7- OH, one other thing - Im headed down to MEPS to physical tomorrow and swear-in assuming all goes well. -Did you cross train into SERE or get it in a contract when you signed up? Any pointers in that area before I go down there?

As far as I know, you cannot come into SERE guaranteed however I am not a recruiter so I can't speak intelligently on the subject. You normally will volunteer for it during basic when they have the "job fair" if you will. Let them know at MEPS that you want to go into SERE AFSC 1T0X1 and they will administer the proper physical to you based on that. Hopefully that'll solve it. Also if you are color blind or have a depth issue do not worry, go for SERE anyway!! They can get waiver for anything. Trust me I know, I am color blind and I am a full time static line parachutist and I've attended various Army courses that require color vision with no problems.

Good luck whatever path you decide!

SSgt Dave Jewell
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Specialist
Yokota AB Japan

As far as I remember, when I signed up; you can get SERE guaranteed. Althought it doesn't matter what job you have on your contract, because they will come around in basic just like CCT and ask who wants to volunteer. The first few meetings you go to there are around 75 people. When I did my flight physical there were around 10 of us left. The morning I was supposed to sign my contract, I didn't because I was selected by Intel for a security clearance. They put me on the spot and told me I had the day to decide what job I wanted because I came Open General. Unfortunately, I chose Intel.

Are SERE ever assigned to Army units similair to TACP. If they are would they actually deploy with lets say a Ranger Bat. or would they just train them?

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Originally posted by Dusty31:
Are SERE ever assigned to Army units similair to TACP. If they are would they actually deploy with lets say a Ranger Bat. or would they just train them?

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No, the only way for an AF bubba to be assigned to a Ranger Bat is as TACP/ETAC/ALO or Combat Weather. Army SOF has its own SERE school and cadre.

I don't understand why this thread is under the "AF Special Operations" section.

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Originally posted by justlookingforinfo:
I don't understand why this thread is under the "AF Special Operations" section.

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Ouch! LOL!

Seriously though... and this is a bit of a stretch -- the CRO career field is the leadership/advocacy for SERE. The CROs and CSAR assets moved into AFSOC and wear the AFSOC patch now. The CRO functional is at AFSOC HQ, and while the Survival School is in AETC... there are plenty of SERE bubbas running around in AFSOC. Several years ago the SERE Specialists escaped from Fairchild (AETC) and are now being assigned through out the AF in combat units. They do a lot of pre-deployment work-ups and training, but also are deploying to do various things in theater. They are involved in working actual CSAR missions in the CAOC and are a critical expert within each community (CAF, MAF, SOF).

There is enough of a connection IMO, but you did make me laugh.

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Originally posted by justlookingforinfo:
I don't understand why this thread is under the "AF Special Operations" section.
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Ouch! LOL!

Seriously though... and this is a bit of a stretch -- the CRO career field is the leadership/advocacy for SERE. The CROs and CSAR assets moved into AFSOC and wear the AFSOC patch now. The CRO functional is at AFSOC HQ, and while the Survival School is in AETC... there are plenty of SERE bubbas running around in AFSOC. Several years ago the SERE Specialists escaped from Fairchild (AETC) and are now being assigned through out the AF in combat units. They do a lot of pre-deployment work-ups and training, but also are deploying to do various things in theater. They are involved in working actual CSAR missions in the CAOC and are a critical expert within each community (CAF, MAF, SOF).

There is enough of a connection IMO, but you did make me laugh.

Haha. Yes. The comment's sole intent was to elicit a laugh. Your comments are true, but yes, a bit of a stretch, as AFSOC has services and other support units as well. I do knew that some SERE dude's have been "operational". But I also knew plenty that couldn't have been further from "operational" if they wanted to be. Such is the nature of the 1T AFSC.

Irregardless, they do loose some serious cool points for now having to wear a tan beret. LOL! Now THAT is funny.

Friggin' A! My reply just got lost in the mail.

Yes, some valid points. I knew some SERE that have been "operational", but also knew plenty that were "AETC"... Allergic To Combat.

Irregardless, they ALL lose serious cool points for now having to wear those tan berets. LOL. That just cracks my A$$ up!!!

Glad I pulled handles when I did.

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Originally posted by justlookingforinfo:
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they do loose some serious cool points for now having to wear a tan beret. LOL! Now THAT is funny.

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Haha! Actually it's "pewter". The Rangers wear tan (as do the SAS).

Pewter!

The color of manly men...and women.

It looks grey here, but its actually Pewter Green. I've seen a SERE Spec wearing it here on Hickam. Doesn't look grey at all in real life, more like a light green

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Glad I pulled handles when I did.

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What exactly does that mean? You're glad you pussied out? or glad you quit? Just curious.

Also, what does being SERE have anything to do with the color of their headgear or how many "cool points" they have? If thats how you rate career fields, I'm glad you "pulled handles" too, jeep.

Hi, well if everything goes correctly I should be heading for BMT and then SERE around August. However, this is just my goal right now. I still have to go through MEPS and all that but I'm fairly certain I'll pass anything psychological and physical.

Anyways, for the last year or so I dead set on going in the Air Force as TACP. But, when my recruiter mentioned SERE it really sounded like something I'd like to do. I must have read over www.gosere.com at least 10 times.

I'm really excited about the prospect of being SERE, even if it is a long ways off.

I just want to hear things about the job that you wouldn't find on the web. What are the ups? What the downs? Anything you suggest that could help someone be more prepared for indoc? And anything else you can add? I really want to know it all.

Those are some serious questions.
I also wonder, it doesn't really matter, but in the video on gosere.com they film what looks like a SERE holding a rifle. Are SERE trained with wepeons? Just curious.

Just like yourself, I've done alot of research on SERE. I suppose I have an advantage since I'm currently in the military as a Security Forces member. I had the opportunity to talk to a SERE MSgt who works in the PACAF Headquaters building as well as a CRO (Combat Rescue Officer) Lt who was 13 years prior-enlisted Pararescueman.

From what they've told me is that SERE and Pararescueman are closely related. They work together toward the same common goal of Personnel Recovery (PR). In the 6 phases of PR, SERE is responsible for 4 of those phases, while Pararescueman is responsible for 2. What's cool about the close relationship is that the SERE boys get to go to alot of the same training and exercises as the Pararescuemen. However, when it comes down to it, the PJs will always be the ones behind the trigger getting shot at and send bullets down range so that others may survive. SERE Specialists are not operators. SERE will train our AFSOC (Air Force Special Op Command)boys, pilots, and air crew guys on the methods they need to know in which to survive in ANY condition ANYWHERE on the planet Earth. Not to mention our operational support role in setting up PR missions. Pulling the trigger is not our job. So, what you saw was probably one of the guys getting training with PJs.

Although, since SERE gets to go through Airborne, HALO, Military SCUBA, etc...I wouldn't be surprised if they get trained in small arms.

When do you leave for basic? Perhaps I'll be one of your instructors? If everything goes well, I'll graduate from SERE in December.

If everything goes smoothly I should be heading for Basic in August. That's my goal at least. I gotta finish this college thing first, then I can do something fun. I've had my heart set on the Air Force for a while now so, since I didn't find anything at college for me I know it's right.

Yeah I saw a list once that showed all the schools you can volunteer for as SERE. If I recall correctly there must of been at least 10 of them, had to be more. I do remember looking through them telling myself, "That sounds like fun, oh that too. Aww they get to do that? Bada**"

I'm happy I'm stuck in college for this semester at least. This gives me plenty of time to prepare, which I've been doing for a long time. But, now I need to make sure I'm completely ready mentally and physically.

Feb. 12 I'll be going to MEPS so I guess I'll get all the details then. And make sure that there isn't anything that would disqualify me from SERE, or the Air Force in general.

I have been working on getting a contract for SERE for the past few months but have only been able to get into basic under ATC. I have taken the PAST and will be leaving for BMT on 14 Feb. Does anyone know if I will be able to switch to SERE in BMT.

I agree that the SERE folks do a great job...they are all great Americans. However, as has been pointed out in the thread, they serve a support role. Wearing the AFSOC patch or having a nice new beret does not make one an "operator". During my time as an "operator", I dont know of any time that a SERE person has been "operational". Further, the mixed gender career field presents other issues that will make it hard for SERE to break into the "operational" world that AFSOC is busy in. Finally, we have personel (PJ's, CCT, etc) that take care of the "operational" side of the SERE world. All of this said though, A LOT of what we do in AFSOC could not be done with out the great support role that all of our SERE folks serve.

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Originally posted by 4556011:
I have been working on getting a contract for SERE for the past few months but have only been able to get into basic under ATC. I have taken the PAST and will be leaving for BMT on 14 Feb. Does anyone know if I will be able to switch to SERE in BMT.

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What is your recruiter telling you? Are you able to come in garaunteed SERE? I know SERE only has two Indoc/Tech school courses per year. They are currently trying to start a third entry point, but that has no ETA.

You are allowed to change your gaining tech school in basic. The SERE guys will come out and you will see a SERE video. However, here is a list of jobs they cannot pull you from: http://www.gosere.com/civilian_personnel.htm. Make sure you don't come in garaunteed any of these, or else you won't be able to switch in basic.

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Originally posted by pavejim: Wearing the AFSOC patch or having a nice new beret does not make one an "operator".

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You are correct. However, what I think why its here is because for one, this isn't a AFSOC board, just AFSO. and considering the type of training you have to do and the type of person you have to be, some people have a hard time putting SERE next to say...services, which is also a support unit. They have a very close relationship with pararescueman. No, they aren't operators; any SERE Specialist will be quick to tell you that. SERE Specs are supporting and instructing.

My issue with the jeep from the earlier post was that how much respect SERE received as a highly trained unit was somehow directly related to the color of their beret and how many "cool points" they had. I've met SERE Specs, I know the training they have to go through and the training they have the option to go through...and all of the ones I've met are SERE because they want to be, not because they lack the ability to be an operator.