An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 27 Resistance and Escape in Roman Culture Roman resistance doctrine was cultural rather than instructional. Capture was viewed as shameful, and soldiers were expected to resist to the death rather than surrender. After the Roman defeat at the Battle of Cannae, the Roman Senate refused to ransom captured soldiers, reinforcing the belief that surrender was unacceptable. Stories of stoic resistance became part of Roman identity. Figures such as Gaius Mucius Scaevola, who endured torture without revealing information, were held up as examples of loyalty and courage. Escape was also celebrated. The legend of Cloelia, who swam across the River Tiber to freedom, reinforced the idea that a captive's duty was to escape and return to the state. Roman "SERE" therefore rested on discipline and identity rather than formal training. A Roman soldier did not attend a resistance course; he was raised to believe that resilience and loyalty were fundamental virtues. The Birth of Modern SERE Modern SERE training began to take shape during the Second World War. British intelligence recognised that aircrew and covert operatives required structured preparation for survival and evasion behind enemy lines. The organisation MI9 developed concealed maps and escape equipment, while the Special Operations Executive trained agents to operate clandestinely in occupied Europe. In the United States, the Army Air Forces created MIS-X to support similar missions. The Korean War revealed another challenge: systematic psychological exploitation of prisoners of war. Captured American airmen were pressured into false confessions and propaganda broadcasts. In response, the United States formalised resistance training and introduced the United States Military Code of Conduct under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Vietnam War further shaped SERE training. Jungle warfare required specialised survival techniques, while the experiences of prisoners such as James N. Rowe demonstrated the importance of psychological resilience and escape planning. By the 1980s, SERE training had become standardised across US forces. Today, SERE is a core element of personnel recovery doctrine across NATO militaries. SERE in the Irish Defence Forces Within the Irish Defence Forces, SERE training forms part of the Personnel Recovery framework and is delivered primarily through the Military Training and Survival School at Casement Aerodrome. Originally developed for Air Corps aircrew, the programme now supports both aviation and special operations requirements. The syllabus includes shelter construction, fire lighting, navigation, evasion techniques, resistance to interrogation, and extraction scenarios. SERE training is mandatory for pilots and aircrew and also forms part of the selection and qualification process for the Army Ranger Wing. The school also delivers instructor-level courses to ensure that SERE expertise is sustained within the Defence Forces. Bushcraft, SERE and Scouting Beyond the military environment, the principles of SERE have clear parallels in civilian bushcraft and outdoor education. Skills such as shelter construction, fire lighting, navigation, water procurement, and emergency response form the foundation of both wilderness living and survival training. These competencies also play a central role within Scouting Ireland. In Scouting, bushcraft is not viewed as an extreme activity but as a structured pathway for developing self-reliance, teamwork, and environmental awareness. The Scouting Ireland Adventure Skills system provides certified progression from Level 1 to Level 9 for young people and adults alike. Skills closely aligned with SERE principles include Backwoods, Camping, Pioneering, Hillwalking and Emergency (First Aid). Introduced in September 2025, the new Scouting Ireland knife policy also requires adult Scouters and Rover Scouts who intend to use fixed-blade knives and instruct youth members to complete a dedicated 3.5-hour in-person training course. Bushcraft and the Civilian Skillset While SERE remains a specialised military capability, many of its foundations lie in bushcraft and wilderness living skills. Competencies such as shelter construction, firecraft, navigation, water procurement, and leadership are equally relevant to outdoor professionals and serious enthusiasts. One pathway for developing these skills in Ireland is the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills. Delivered by Free Range Outdoor Education (FROE) in partnership with Wildway Bushcraft UK and instructors Joe Price and Ross Wareham, the programme provides structured and recognised training for those seeking to deepen their outdoor competence. Ross Wareham explains: "The course combines intensive practical instruction with theoretical learning. Participants develop advanced shelter-building techniques, firecraft, wild food and water procurement, navigation, wilderness safety, and group leadership skills." Discussing the training, Joe Price notes that the course equips participants - soldiers, scouts and civilians alike - with practical skills directly transferable to survival and fieldcraft training. Founded in 1848, NCFE is an internationally recognised awarding organisation. The Level 2 qualification provides a pathway for those wishing to work in outdoor education or enhance their capability in remote environments. Visit www.froe.ie for more info.

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