NOTICE: This publication is available digitally on the AFDPO WWW site at: http://afpubs.hq.af.mil.
BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 16-13
1 MARCH 2000
Operations Support
SURVIVAL, EVASION, RESISTANCE, AND
ESCAPE (SERE)
OPR: HQ USAF/XOOP
(CMSgt Sterling J. Murray)
Certified by: HQ USAF/XOO
(Maj Gen Michael S. Kudlacz)
Pages: 6
Distribution: F
This AFPD implements DoD Directive 1300.7, Training and Education Measures Necessary to Support
the Code of Conduct (CoC) and DoD Directive 2310.2, Personnel Recovery. The USAF SERE Program
prepares Low to High Risk of Capture (LRC)/(HRC) personnel to return with honor in direct support of
DOD and A ir Force Personnel Recovery (PR) directives. E nsuring SERE operations and training are a
normalized part of USAF Personnel Recovery plans and programs provides for a well prepared, mission
oriented and motivated force who are confident in their ability to survive and return with honor. To
accomplish this, the Air Force requires a robust SERE program managed by a SERE Specialist at the
MAJCOM level and conducted by a well trained, fully manned SERE Specialist force at the formal
schools and select operational units. This directive establishes policies for the conduct of the USAF SERE
program and identifies the capabilities of SERE Specialists.
1. The USAF SERE program is an integral part of PR. SERE operations and training are designed to pre-
pare and enable combat aircrews and other HRC personnel to survive and return with honor. Initial,
advanced, and recurring SERE training programs provide essential skills and knowledge in support of the
Code of Conduct for all low to high risk of capture personnel. Unit level SERE Code of Conduct Contin-
uation Training (CoCCT) and Evasion and Recovery (E&R) operations support programs must provide a
clear and continual link between initial formal training and actual operations throughout a member’s
career.
2. SERE Specialists are a critical component of PR and Aircrew Protection programs responsible for pre-
paring designated personnel to s urvive, evade, resist and escape, ultimately resulting in the recovery of
isolated personnel. SERE Specialists develop SERE Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) in support
of operational tasking for theater and Joint Forces Commanders. Air Force SERE Specialists are the only
DoD specialty specifically recruited, trained and employed to conduct SERE operations support and Code
of Conduct Training (CoCT) for the duration of their career. SERE Specialists conduct CoCT and CoCCT
in support of DoD Directive 1300.7, Training and Education Measures Necessary to Support the Code of
Conduct. SERE Specialists are qualified in principles of PR, and uniquely qualified in global SERE TTP
and equipment enabling them to function as subject matter experts (SME) during contingency, wartime
and military operations other than war (MOOTW). SERE Specialist capabilities include but are not lim-
Certified Current, 2 June 2010
