Retired Marine Col. Clifford Acree spoke to Sailors at Center for Security Forces Det. Kittery Feb. 16, and shared his experience of being a Prisoner of War during Operation Desert Storm.

Det. Kittery teaches the Navy's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) course. SERE is a 12-day Code of Conduct course designed for Sailors and Marines who are designated high-risk of capture due to the nature of their assigned duties. The training teaches the vital skills needed to survive an isolating event and return with honor.

On 18 Jan. 1991, Acree was flying a forward air-control mission over Kuwait when his aircraft, an OV-10 Bronco, was hit by a surface-to-air missile. The damage took out the left engine, and the resultant fire spread through the wing fuel bladders, causing a fire in the right engine and a complete loss of control of the aircraft. Both Acree and his observation officer ejected and shortly after reaching the ground, they were captured by Iraqi forces and held as prisoners of war.

Acree told students his captors followed the Geneva Conventions for only the first 20 minutes, but then it became a brutal situation. He stressed the importance of vigorous training to prepare Sailors and Marines to know how to react when the unexpected occurs. He emphasized the significance of SERE training, teaching students to deal with situations of captivity, and that their mind is their best weapon.

His poignant comments of being a POW for 48-days caused students to take pause and realize the relevance of the SERE training they were receiving. For every instructor, his comments reinforced the importance of the training they provide to Sailors and Marines so that each returns home with honor.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 20,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world where training breeds confidence.

For more information about the Center for Security Forces, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/csf.

For more news from the Center for Security Forces, visit www.navy.mil.

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