Resistance in SERE means resisting attempts to exploit captured or detained personnel. It includes protecting military information, resisting involvement in propaganda and avoiding actions that endanger fellow captives. The term concerns conduct under a captor's control, rather than the organisation of a civilian or armed resistance movement.
Information, propaganda and pressure
A captor may seek knowledge about the captive's forces, use a captive publicly to further the captor's aims or secure cooperation through preferential treatment. One demand may serve several purposes: an oral or written statement can disclose information while also being used for propaganda.
| Attempted exploitation | What it means for the captive |
|---|---|
| Obtaining military information | Protect personal knowledge and avoid identifying fellow captives who possess information of particular value to the adversary. |
| Securing statements for propaganda | Demands for confessions, recordings or appeals also concern the public use of the captive, for example to encourage other prisoners to cooperate. |
| Making privileges conditional on cooperation | Preferential treatment may be tied to information, statements or a promise not to attempt escape. The US framework for conduct rejects such special favours and parole agreements. |
Protecting information and necessary communication
For members of the US Armed Forces, the Code of Conduct establishes a national framework. When questioned as a prisoner of war, it specifies name, rank, service number and date of birth. Further questions are to be resisted to the utmost of the person's ability; oral or written statements must not harm their country, its allies or fellow prisoners.
The US interpretation also permits a capture card, letters home and conversations about health and welfare. The senior prisoner represents the group on camp administration, welfare and grievances.
Physical or psychological coercion may result in disclosure or compliance. The US framework then focuses on the next attempt at exploitation: the person is to resume resistance and protect further information to the utmost of their ability.
Responsibilities towards fellow captives
In the US model of shared captivity, the senior military prisoner capable of acting takes command; others support that person and follow lawful orders. Organisation includes hygiene, use of the available food and care of the sick and wounded.
The US framework prohibits seeking or accepting special advantages at the expense of fellow prisoners.
Resistance, RTI and Conduct After Capture
Resistance to Interrogation, abbreviated RTI or RtoI, focuses on questioning and information security. In German training usage, RtoI denotes an additional interrogation component alongside conduct as a prisoner of war. In the NATO training model, Level B addresses resistance in the classroom; Level C includes extensive practical work in a strictly controlled, realistic training environment.
The Australian term Conduct After Capture covers detention by government bodies such as police or border forces, being held hostage by a terrorist or criminal group, and captivity under foreign armed forces.
Relationship with escape and evasion
Escape means getting out of captivity. Resistance concerns exploitation while in custody. The US framework includes efforts to escape and help others escape; in shared captivity, the welfare of those left behind must also be considered. After escape, evasion may be needed to avoid renewed detection and capture.