<P> How to survive in water is taught at a separate Professional Military Education (PME) course; it takes three days and is typically attended after the main SERE course . In addition to training in the use of aquatic survival gear, more academic skills include first aid tailored to an aquatic environment, communication protocols, ocean ecology, and equipment maintenance . </P> <P> SERE training is intended, above all, to provide students with the skills needed to live up to the U.S. military code of conduct when in uncertain or hostile environments . It is: </P> <Ol> <Li> I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life . I am prepared to give my life in their defense . </Li> <Li> I will never surrender of my own free will . If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist . </Li> <Li> If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available . I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape . I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy . </Li> <Li> If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners . I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades . If I am senior I will take command . If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way . </Li> <Li> When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth . I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability, I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause . </Li> <Li> I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free . I will trust in my God and in the United States of America . </Li> </Ol> <Li> I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life . I am prepared to give my life in their defense . </Li>

The u.s. army aviation center survival escape resistance and evasion (sere-c) course