SERE School - Kit ?'s - Misc ?'s - Combat Survival

Well leave it to the Army to delay telling you your in for some fun until 6 days prior. Found out today I would be going through SERE-C starting Sunday. Need a few pointers and recommendations.

Quick background, personal history, spent 5 years mechanized infantry, seen a few tours in Iraq, and generally familiar with survival gear, fire producing, water, shelters etc. Got picked up as a Warrant for the rotary wing flight program, and part of a pilots training is SERE. Which brings me here.

Tell you what im thinking, Thats a Decon Kit Box if you cant tell by the picture its about the size of a standard sized camera. I figure this would be a well suited container. Its subdued, waterproof, standard square size. (For maximizing space and accomodating for shapes of items i.e. mirror) Offer up any suggestions if you have them for any of the things I propose.

Excluding a knife and wristwatch (im not sure if I will be allowed to take the watch) and a uniform which consists of shirt socks undergarments pants blouse boots and cover (hat), this is what I plan to stuff in the kit.

Magnesium fire starter
Water Wind Nato issue matches
Bug patches (Lower alabama, insects are killer)
Needles (3)
Small sting kit (Insect, Snake Spider)
Snare Wire (10-15ft)
550 Cord (Wrapped around container)
Fishing Line (20ft)
Tube of asst fishing supplies (Small Hooks, splitshot, etc)
Manmade tinder (Dryer lint, or petroleum covered cotton balls)
Bottle Liners (2)
Iodine Tabs
Emer Blanket
Button Compass

First Aid:
Cravat
Bandaids
Alcohol Wipes
Moleskin

So what am I missing? Been in alot of military schools lately and my outdoor mind seems to be a bit rusty.

Note: Some things you cant have like Over the counter meds, any type of candy/food/edible substance, lighters, aluminum foil, sun glasses, tobacco, porn etc.

Its not mandatory but they encourage you to search and build a survival kit that will be analyzed and tested. I am endeavoring to build a top notch kit with space maximization and utility.

Make whatever recommendations you can, any and all will be greatly appreciated and remember me in about 3 weeks, ill be getting slapped around

Thanks much for your help and advice ahead of time, and thanks for supporting the troops.

Welcome Newguy. I had a lot of fun flying with Warrants long ago. Even got a lot of bootleg time in U-1 and U-6's from them. You didn't mention how long this course is. If it is like most, and pretty short, you won't really have to worry about fishing, snaring, etc, you will just have to do a good job of hiding from the "bad guys" that they are sure to send after you. If it is a purely "survival" class, then shelter building, fire starting, locating and preping water, etc will take priority over food. You can go quite a while without food, even tho it might not be too much fun.

Now, if you are making up a kit to carry while flying, that is another thing entirely. You need to fill up all those pockets in your flight suit...

Agree, depends on the focus, Survival or E&E. If both, evasion should be your first priority and will probably preclude making a fire to cook anything.

When I went through the Navy SERE school 30 years ago we did survival first with no evasion work at all. When we got to the final phase (E&E) we started 4 days hungry and it was guaranteed we'd get captured or (as in my case) turn myself in at the final checkpoint on the evasion course. I have a feeling the rules have changed a whole lot since I went through, but not getting captured should still be a high priority. How can your kit help in not getting captured?

Good luck.

I agree with both of your posts. The E&E Part is all well and good, not really much of an issue there. Its a 7 day course, so some of you veteran survival guys may not need/want food, but i'll tell you I am going to be just about at my wits end after 3-4 days with no food knowing I have 3-4 more days to go. That and I will be the talk of the town amongst my team if my fishing skills prove to be useful.

The other thing is, is this kit may not be used to its fullest extent during the training, but.... its more of a show of interest/knowledge etc building it. You submit your kit (if you made one) at the beginning of the training and they go through it in front og the class and critique/comment. So kudos to me if I can build a respectable one.

These two things in mind I want to be comprehensive in building one, even if it will only be used currently for show. Hopefully ill never be "forced" to survive in the wild. I would prefer I was never in the situation, none the less all a learning experience for me.

A trip to walmart yielded some additional items.
Reusable Zip Ties (Thinking for shelter and lashing)
A better mirror (From a ladies compact)
Some baby bottle liners for carrying water
and the best find of all...
Tiny zip lock bags so I can throw the oversized and bulking packaging away from many of my items (matches, water tabs etc)
BTW I found them by sweet talking the lady at the jewelery counter. (A little FYI)

So, any commemts on something I may be missing or overlooking?

ps. The Surv and E&E portions are pretty much seperate.. When I first got here I was on the OPFOR detail, pretty much stay of the roads and your good to go. You all get to a safe house at the end and the house is raided of course, ensuring 100% for the intero/physical part if you catch my drift.

Welcome to the forum Gig -

Your post makes this ol' guy smile — and grimace — at memories going back 35 years. You're in for a week or two of fun.

You mention magnesium firestarter. Agree with opinions expressed in many a past thread — they're fine in theory but in all but ideal conditions, they're a pain to fiddle with. Suggest a plain ferro rod/metal match, backed with your NATO matches and tinder.

You mention a button compass. Take the best you can find, e.g. Silva, Marbles, Tru-Nord etc. Many of button compasses on the market are little more than toys and perform accordingly.

No duct tape? Couple of feet, rolled.

Would a Photon microlight (red-LED, multi-level) be permitted?

If you haven't yet, check this site's page(s) on personal kits here.

Best of luck!

Dan

Edit: I'd swap out the iodine for Micropur MP-1 tablets.

Why ditch the mag bar? It is a ferro rod AND tinder. So what if if is a bit difficult? Practice helps. Switching it out for a just a ferro rod saves neglible space at the loss of a nearly endless supply of tinder.

Bug headnet would be a nice addition and could hide in the bottom of a pocket in your flight suit.

Ahhhh, Ft Rucker. Flt Surgeon's course there in 1997. Quite the gentleman's course and a nice 6 week break for me. Not so for you it seems! Good luck.

Is there room in your kit for a signal mirror or are they used by the military any more with all the hi-tech stuff out there?

Sorta OT, but we didn't do personal kits while I was in. We had our aviation survival vest and that was it. Ejection seat guys had a seat pan, but it was all packed by the riggers.

The Bug headnet is a great idea. Keeps the bugs off and breaks up the outline of your face.

Some other items that I would consider in a Survival and E&E kit that hasn't been listed are:

How about a small blade of some kind? Like a Gerber STL 2.0 or these cheap straight razors.

An IR strobe of some kind, a MS2000 will do but a Phoenix or Phoenix Jr would be a better choice, they are small, light and reliable. Make sure to use a Lithium 9V battery for the one in your kit.

Small IR American Flag.

Gerber Baby Formula bags for water storage.

A Sparklite is a better choice in my opinion then a magnesium fire starter.

Signal panel, if you can get one of the aviation crew signal panels (NSN:8345-00-140-4232) those rock. If not a piece of orange 'chute material or cut down VS-17 (last resort).

The red led is great... Go with a Covert Freedom Light from Photon, the shroud around the light is a nice.

Sure, some of these things may be unnecessary in your class, but you might as well build a kit that will give you some use beyond the class.

As Alan mentioned above, I'd think about packing a small blade even a box cutter or X-Acto blade. While speaking of blades, if you don't have a multi-tool with a saw blade, you can also cut a thin hack saw blade to fit in your kit. You can never have too many blades.

He also mentioned the Gerber Seal N Go Breast Milk Storage Bags. These are great for taking little space when empty and yet holding water quite well when full. Doug did a write-up on them on the ETS site.

I used to carry zip-ties, but decided to switch them out for Jute Cordage. The reason I did this was that Jute can double for tinder in a pinch. It isn't a substitute for carrying a good length of 550 paracord of course (which you've listed anyway), but sometimes you just need a little string for smaller jobs or tinder.

I'd probably switch out the iodine tablets for some Katadyn MP1 tablets.

You could wrap the kit in some duct tape before you wind on the 550 as someone mentioned previously, and could cut up a bicycle innertube and add some ranger bands around the kit as well. Ranger Bands are handy for securing things and as a fire making aid as well.

In a lot of my medium PSKs I pack a slingshot band. I don't know if you have room for one, but it's a worthwhile item if you do.

Welcome to the forums!

After rereading this thread, it looks like all I wrote were thoughts that others expressed before me... Doh! Sorry about that!

The school will give you a packing list. If you do not have it yet, GET IT ASAP.

DO NOT DEVIATE FROM IT.

Speak to someone in person who has done the lab.

When you sign the release form, remember they can and may brake one bone. Opsec is important after you get out after its all over.

Remember you signed the form.

Play the "gray man". Do not buck up to anyone. They will make an example of atleast one. That person will have one broken bone. Probably a nose.

When you get out follow the school directions and do not consume booze and or drive a vehicle for a few days. Just take it easy, watch TV and eat.

Good luck. Just use common sense and remember its 80% mental until the lab, then its 99% mental.

I hope you have some body fat because its nice to have that to loose instead of loosing muscle.

Unless I missed something where is your space blanket and or H.D. garbage bag? Oop's I just found the emer. blanket.
35 years ago when you went to survival school they supplied everything, I bet things have changed.
Ask your rigger for a rollup canteen out of a current survival vest, they are much better than plastic bags.
Consider dumping the Nato matches and replacing them with REI brand windproof matches. They are packed with two extra striker strips. Add a mini-BIC. A Photon light is a great idea.
Purchase real tinder tabs, Colagans has some decent ones and you can get them from REI or about any peg board display in the camping section of any big box store.
Possibily add a Sm. SAK ( executive ) you get a sm. sharp blade,
sissors, & tweezers. Not sure what you would use the other SAK items for but this model is at least as good as a scapel blade.
You can purchase anaseptic pads rather than alcohol only pads.
Swivels in your fish kit.
Asst. safety pins, at least 2 lg.& 6-8 small.
Small pc. of a hack saw blade. Again your rigger could help.
At one time a screw in saw blade was made for a pen flare launcher, the launcher was the handle.
A couple pks of Stay Alert gum if you have room, it works.
Asprin or Ty#3 in a blister pk 2-4 ea.
Have fun.

Hi Gig,

Your kit looks good and the suggestions from the forum have been terrific.

Any chance of changing the Decon Kit for one made of metal? This would allow you to boil (sterilize) water in it. Most containers seem to be made of plastic now and it is difficult to find a metal one in the size you want.

Good Luck on your training,

Mike

Hi Gig,


Replace the magnesium fire lighter with a Swedish Firesteel Cadet model - http://www.campingsurvival.com/fisclimyfiin.html

Replace the iodine tabs with Katadyn MP1's - http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/micropur_mp1_tablets.htm

Purchase an edible candle - http://www.campingsurvival.com/tacaedemsu.html
if they think its edible at least you will have the pleasure of watching them eat it before they dispose of it.

Purchase a toothbrush - http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/accessories%20main/travel_tooth_brush.htm
For morale and hiding meds. If they try and take it away, mention the surgeon general and that oral hygiene is crucial.

Purchase a Fenix LOD -SE - https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info...b7bebddaae4e563
use with a lithium AAA - has tactical performance if you use a replacement lithium 3.7v 14500 battery. Blind you pursuers at the last moment in the dark.

Purchase some pain killers - Ibuprofen - Powder them up/and or mix into your toothpaste tube.

NATO matches - Process as described - http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=103064#Post103064

Supplement the Bandaid's with Compeed Plasters - http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/Details.cfm?ProdID=809 - Foot blistering is much more likely.

Purchase a miniature Lip Salve with tea tree oil - http://www.bewellstaywell.com/lip_balms_&_ointments.htm

Get a good button Compass - Silva SERE 40 Luminous

Get a couple of fishing flies/Lures for you fishing kit. Make the fishing line 60 feet rather than 20 feet but use lighter line i.e 5Kg breaking strain instead.

Add a BCB commando wire saw also - http://www.bestglide.com/Wire_Saw_Info.html

Get a pair of goretex socks and a goretex hat - dry feet and dry head can make all the difference.

If possible spray your BDU kit with Grangers Fabsil Gold - http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/ishop/877/shopscr2960.html
to keep the rain and the blood from the broken nose off.

Get one of the O.D. GI Lightweight combat casualty blankets.

Essentially a space blanket but one side is OD green.

Since you're military you can get them from GSA Advantage using part number R04199. $3.25 each.

Good Luck!

Tom A.

Thanks for all the great suggestions and advice!

Today I picked up a photon LED, the kind you can dim etc.
Added swivels to fishing kit plus a few small lures and a couple fish food balls. I figured in an E&E enviroment if im going to risk getting out of cover and going to a lakeside (still cover but not as much) I want my fishing to be as productive and quick as possible.
Replaced Alcohol pads with the Betadine ones.
Added safety pins and a few needles.

I cant take anything like Energy gum, asprin, any over the counter meds, esspecially anything that has a relatively good taste or nutritional value of any sort.

Was thinking about including a saw blade and putting a bolt and wing nut to the lid serving as a handle for it.

Great suggestions Am_Fear, only problem is I start SERE on sunday and im in lower alabama, odds of me finding any decent outdoor store are slim to none in a 150 mile radius, wish the Army would have given me a bit of heas up time, I found out yesterday I was going in on Sunday. Didn't leave me a whole lot of prep time.

Keep it coming, I really appreciate the help!

I am tempted by the edible candle.. =D but honor/integrity are army values, I would of course include things like that in a "real world" kit!

Go to the links page on the main website. Click on the USRSOG link. Have a read through their kit list.

I strongly suggest that you:

Make up an E.D.C. ring for yourself that has:

A ferro rod.
Compass.
Whistle.
Spark-lite & tinder.
Small torch.

Also:
Blag as much paracord for yourself as possible.
Get yourself a spare knife and multi-tool.
Some puritabs.
Go down to your local Hunting Shooting Fishing emporium and buy yourself at least two dozen of the cheapest small barbed hooks he has and some fishing line.

A couple of lighters. Wrap them in freezer bags.


Think about how to hide them. If you think that you are going to be "relieved" of you main kit, tape them - using surgical tape, not gaffer tape - to the small of your back. Just below your shoulder blades. Gives you the best chance of getting them through an initial search.

I'd consider dropping:

• Bug patches (might attract "negative attention" during kit review?) Mud on exposed skin helps with bugs and camo.
  
• Sting kit (negative attention?, little benefit?)
  
• Iodine tabs (not effective against crypto)

I'd add:

• Galvanized 3 1/2" nail (use as awl to tap maple, birch, sycamore for drinkable sap--take it easy on the maple, or you'll pay later )
  
• Chlorine dioxide tabs
  
• small, untreated cellulose sponge (soak up dew/rain/sap)
  
• large camo bandana (soak up and screen water, insect protection over head/neck, bandage, camo, etc)
  
• 20' dental floss (light cordage)
  
• Drinking tube (silicone aquarium or teflon)
  
• Ferro rod/striker
  
• Can opener
  
• Large black drum liners (more covert than shiny space blanket)
  
• Large clear drum liners (transpiration bags, water storage)
  
• Duct tape
  
• good signal mirror
  
• pealess whistle
  
• Can you include metal water bottle or cup to boil water?
  
• Can you include rolled eye exam sunglasses? Or maybe way underexposed, developed, slide film? or Mylar (from emergency blanket) as improvised sunglasses

I'm sorry that I don't have anything to add to great suggestions posted here, but I did want to say THANK YOU for your service to our country.

Craig.

#1. Proper Attitude.

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying hard enough."