Within the NATO personnel recovery framework, Unassisted Recovery means an isolated person's independent return to friendly control. The person effects their own recovery; deployed recovery forces do not conduct a pickup.
Requirements for an independent return
The goal is to return to the physical custody of the person's own or another friendly organisation. Evasion means avoiding capture and can contribute to that return.
This mode requires the ability to survive and independently evade capture, together with a condition that permits the person to perform their own recovery. Injury, exhaustion, disorientation or lack of appropriate equipment can prevent independent return.
Aids and the involvement of other actors
Preparatory SERE training and issued evasion aids are compatible with Unassisted Recovery. They provide the person with capabilities and resources for survival and independent return.
In a pickup by recovery forces or helpers from a prepared network, other actors perform the physical recovery.
Within the NATO framework, Opportune Recovery is assisted: the isolated person takes advantage of help from actors who may or may not have been considered in planning.
Self-recovery and national classifications
In the NATO system, self-recovery is the parent category for Unassisted and Opportune Recovery and includes the described assistance from other actors. The force-based modes distinguish the organisation performing recovery: Unit Recovery, performed by the person's own unit; Component Recovery, performed by forces from one functional component; and Joint Recovery, performed by forces from multiple components.
An earlier US Army approach instead distinguishes Unassisted, Immediate, Deliberate and External Supported Recovery: independent return, immediate recovery by forces, recovery by forces with more detailed planning and coordination, and recovery with external support. An earlier US Army Aviation model also calls Unassisted Recovery self-recovery and includes individual efforts that later lead to recovery by another method.
Reintegration after return
Personnel recovery includes the separate reintegration process after recovery. It involves medical and psychological care, and debriefing on the isolation experience, information obtained and improvements to preparation and procedures.