MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., -- All Airmen are required to have the Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape 100 computer-based training course finished by June 30. It is required to be taken every 20 months from then on.
As the war on terror progresses, all Airmen are vulnerable to harrowing situations.
"As we've seen recently, the capture of military personnel has the potential of exploding into a larger strategic event with global impacts," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff. "Today's battlefields are non-linear and non-contiguous; their shape and venue change constantly. I worry we've not prepared our Airmen for the world we're operating in."
The course is on the Advanced Distributed Learning System at https://golearn.csd.disa.mil. It is about four to six hours long.
"This is the acceptable substitute for the B-level course," said Tech. Sgt. Kenneth MacArthur, 446th Airlift Wing NCOIC of SERE operations. "It provides the minimum requirements necessary for deployment and the follow on requirements."
Regardless of a Reservist's specialty, this training is needed.
"No matter what career field you're in, this training may be vital to you at some point down the road," said Maj. Mark Boyd, chief of aircrew training, 446th Operations Group. "SERE 100 is just foundation training via CBT to prepare all Airmen for real-world deployments and responsibilities."
Surviving in the field and coming home with honor is part of an Airman's job.
"The SERE 100 course provides the minimum requirements individuals must accomplish before being deployed to an area of responsibility," said Sergeant MacArthur. "We have a duty to survive and return with honor. We can be called to duty at any location in the world. By everybody understanding what's required of them for SERE training, they can apply these skills, not just in a theater setting, but in any environment."
The SERE training courses are typically taught at three levels - A, B, and C. Level-A is the basic or entry-level. This is an introduction to the Code of Conduct that all Airmen receive in either Basic Military Training or Officer Training School. Level-B is required for Airmen with a higher risk of capture. Level-B is a more in-depth level of training that lasts about 12 hours. Level-C is the hands-on 19 day course taught at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., for the highest risk Airmen like combat controllers, pararescue, tactical air control, pilots, aircrew and combat weather.
In today's ever-changing world, Airmen increasingly find themselves in a non-traditional environment. SERE training teaches Airmen principles, techniques and skills to survive in any environment, avoid capture, resist, and escape if captured.
(Editor's Note: portions of this article were derived from the Air Force News article, "SERE training to be required for all Airman," Aug. 10, 2007)