Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Training

A SERE-certified psychologist is an operational psychologist who has completed a DoD Level-C SERE course. This training is required for an operational psychologist to provide oversight to SERE training and to assist in the reintegration of isolated personnel. This training requirement provides operational psychologists with a foundation for understanding the challenges of surviving captivity; however, the training requirement has been somewhat controversial because when personnel experience these events firsthand, the mental sequelae can be traumatic. When an operational psychologist is assigned as a SERE-certified psychologist, his or her responsibility is to support military personnel before and after this type of training or real-world event, as well as provide interventions to staff as needed.

Tasks:

Using the module's readings, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, research the need for operational psychologists to experience SERE training.

Create a 2- to 3-page paper responding to the following questions:

What are the processes of SERE training and the role of psychologists in it?

Does going through SERE training add value to the operational psychologist? Justify your response with appropriate reasons and provide at least one example that supports your position.

Is SERE training necessary for an operational psychologist to perform his or her job in a competent manner?

What are some of the potential problems with a psychologist undergoing SERE training? Define role-drift.