Cover letter_JPR JOG_ACT approved - European Defence Agency

INTRODUCTIONNATO UNCLASSIFIED RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLIC257Chapter 1INTRODUCTION1.1 AimThis volume is intended to be used by tactical commanders and if required, by individuals.It prescribes generic Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) basic Survival,Evasion, Resistance and Extraction (SERE) principles concerning potential isolated personnelduring operations. The level of detail is not intended to replace national trainingpolicy.1.2 Introduction0101. NATO Nations are responsible for providing their personnel with specific SEREtraining and equipment to ensure their survivability. It is also the individual’s responsibilityto prepare for possible isolation. This responsibility also reflects on the personnelwho might endanger themselves during recovery. Thorough preparation will increasethe probability of mission success and decrease the amount of time that recovery forcesmust operate in a hostile or uncertain operational environment. The well trained andeducated isolated personnel will be capable of adapting to the various isolation situationsand methods of extraction. Based upon the definition of the term isolated personnel,SERE training is needed in order to provide personnel at risk of isolation the skills toreact appropriately and legally, as an isolated person, resistor, or escapee. Evaders haveto survive in order to evade. Attention to personal needs can be postponed temporarily,but eventually these survival needs must be met, or evaders won’t be physically or mentallyfit to continue. Dehydration, heat and cold, lack of sleep, sickness and starvationcontribute to physical weakness and poor decision making. Extraction is the end stageof the SERE process.1.3 Mission abort0102. All levels of command, including the isolated person, can recommend missionabort. The isolated personnel may be the person with the best situational awareness ofthe tactical situation in the recovery area. The isolated person should be aware that he/she is part of the decision process for aborting the mission and therefore, should alwaysconsider the threat to the recovery force and provide information whenever possible.NATO UNCLASSIFIED RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLIC