The 40th meeting of the SERE School Leaders’ Working Group (SSLWG) was held in Denmark from the 07th to the 09th of November 2023.
Both Chairman and Host Nation’s representatives welcomed over 50 participants out of 19 Nations to the meeting in Copenhagen.
The main topic of this edition was the “Evasion” phase. As a follow-up from the 39th SSLWG meeting, during which delegates had discussed future challenges regarding SERE training, the forum focussed on addressing the identified future challenges for an evader, considering new technology and especially special new sensors and how to implement this new environment into the SERE education of our soldiers.
On day one, the participants were updated on the EPRC activities and on the international training opportunities, typically the developments regarding the Advanced SERE Instructors’ Standardisation Seminars (ASISS). The participants were invited to discuss the latter topic and agreed on some changes relating to the process of planning and executing ASISS. Furthermore, the Chairman provided the participants with updates from NATO PR/SAR WG and other PR stakeholders’ activities. Then NATO SOFCOM HQ gave a presentation regarding SOF PR and presented the future development of their headquarters.
Day-two exchanges were focussed on the main topic “Evasion”, starting by an update about the hopefully soon ratified NATO SERE training document (APRP-3.3.7.5 – STANAG 7196). Then, a Guest speaker from DEU gave a presentation on current and future sensors with their capabilities and possible counter-measures against them. The day was concluded by a briefing by a BEL SERE Psychologist regarding the mental stressors for an evader during the isolating event.
The final day of the meeting was mainly focussed on the breakout sessions, in which the participants discussed on how to adapt the future evasion training in relation to the discovered future challenges and new technologies presented during the 39th and 40th SSLWG meetings. Exchanges on new possible equipment were completing the whole spectrum for evasion.
All participants backed the Chairman of the SSLWG when expressing his deep appreciation to the host nation for a very well-organized event. The next meeting will be conducted in Spain in the 2nd week of May with the main topic of “Reintegration”.