HOW SERE TRAINING CAN APPLY TO CIVILIAN LIFE
Veterans that have completed SERE training understand the grueling tasks necessary to pass such courses and survive in the field. The chances are, you are unlikely to find yourself evading a group of armed military personnel in the wilderness of America, having to move undetected, and live off the land. But you might find yourself in a high-pressure situation or having to survive being lost after a hike, etc. You can do a lot with your SERE training, and the applications continue to be relevant long after you leave your branch of service. More like this:Army Basic Training: Everything You Need To Know
SERE Training Teaches You To Adapt and Overcome
At the core of your SERE training is the ability to overcome harsh situations. There are several scenarios, including being captured by the enemy, moving undetected, surviving off the land, and more, but they are all geared toward arming troops with the right tools and mindset to effectively survive. Beyond being outdoors, SERE training helps you adapt when things aren’t going to plan. No matter what endeavor you pursue in your civilian life, chances are, you are going to be faced with adversity. SERE training helps you remain calm under high-stress situations and think clearly to advance successfully. These are also skills that will help you lead others going through the same or similar challenges. Everyone is going to be tasked with difficult situations, whether it be a car accident, overcoming a difficult project at work, or a personal situation. The leadership forged through SERE training is a critical skill that can help you and help you assist others when difficulties arise.
You Can Apply SERE Training While Outdoors
A day hiking through the desert or enjoying a trip out at sea is a great way to reconnect with nature and stay active; however, when things don’t go as planned, being in the Great Outdoors can turn deadly very quickly. If you find yourself in such a situation, your SERE training will be there to help you overcome your predicament and stay alive until a rescue effort can be made. Outdoor activities are often done with others. According to the U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue statistics, thousands of Americans are in need of such assistance every year. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Americans have fallen back in love with getting outdoors. If you are in such a situation with a group of people, what you learned in your SERE course will help you take control of the situation, act as an effective leader, and get everyone home safely.
Survival Skills Are Important During Natural Disasters
The infrastructure and modern conveniences that Americans enjoy can often have us feeling lost when they are taken away. We all rely on electricity and different types of energy to keep us cool, heated, fed, secure, and much more. SERE training helps you understand basic and advanced survival skills that can be applied in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Natural disasters hit roughly 1 in 10 Americans' homes, with many experts expecting this number to rise. Regardless of how you feel about climate change, the rate at which we are seeing natural disasters hit is also amplified by the increase in population and construction our nation continues to see. Understanding how to start a fire, construct shelter, survive in potentially deadly situations involving water, etc., can help you and others in your community overcome natural disasters.
Survive Hostile Situations
A mass shooting event, terrorist attack, or potential human trafficking are not situations anyone should have to live through. Yet, the reality is that, while America is an overall great country, such events still occur. Having the skills to think clearly in life or death situations and overcome armed enemies can save your life and the lives of others. Civilian life shouldn’t have any overlap with a battlefield; however, if the time comes, your SERE training can be applied.
SERE Training Transcends Your Military Service
To be a Veteran means to have sacrificed a tremendous amount for the United States of America. It also means that you have been subjected to rigorous tests and training that many civilians will never understand. The skills that you gain as a result are great in the event of war, but they can also help you as a civilian to remain focused and composed under the most intense situations. It doesn’t matter if you were subjected to SERE training in the Air Force, SERE training in the Army, or any other branch, the skills you’ve acquired are invaluable during some of the hardest moments in life. Remember the lessons learned and apply your SERE training to different situations that arise long after your military career has come to a close. Suggested read:Army Gender Identity and Gender Expression Training Made Mandatory