SERE School and Compliance with International Law — Any Issues?

SERE School Training Methods

SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) school training is designed to prepare military personnel for capture and detention by hostile forces. The training includes techniques for resisting interrogation, escaping from captivity, and surviving in adverse environments. However, some critics argue that the training methods used in SERE schools may be overly aggressive or inhumane, and may not be compliant with international law. For example, the use of “waterboarding” and other forms of sensory deprivation may be considered torture.

International Law and SERE School Training

The Geneva Conventions and other international treaties establish clear guidelines for the treatment of prisoners of war and other detainees. These treaties prohibit torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and require that prisoners be treated with respect and dignity. While SERE school training is intended to prepare military personnel for the worst-case scenario, it is essential to ensure that the training methods used do not violate international law. Instructors and administrators at SERE schools must be aware of the potential legal implications of their training methods and take steps to ensure that they are compliant with international law.

Compliance and Civilian Courses

Some SERE school training methods are also used in civilian courses, which has raised concerns about the potential misuse of such techniques. While civilian courses may not be subject to the same international law requirements as military training, they must still be conducted in a safe and responsible manner. Instructors and administrators of civilian courses must be aware of the potential risks and consequences of their training methods and take steps to ensure that they are compliant with relevant laws and regulations. This may involve modifying or eliminating training techniques that are deemed excessive or inhumane.