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The U.S. SARR Corps Academy is dedicated to the training of SARR*Techs. It is designed to train the whole person - the mind as well as the body. We must insure that the individual is not only capable of performing specific tasks, but is also capable of leadership, dedication and teamwork. The individual must have complete and thorough knowledge of past and present search scenerios and be able to anticipate future roles of a mission. He/she must be able to improvise, adapt and overcome what they may encounter, to perform the task under stress and be physically capable of sustaining the mission.
The Academy’s training is comprehensive and assures that every aspect of our mission is imbedded in the person that we place in the field, and that he/she is capable of performing these tasks with the utmost professionalism.
We are true to our motto -
FURTITUDINE VINCIMUS
“By Endurance We Conquer”
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The Academy offers a two year, competency based program that consists of one weekend each month from February through November. Each weekend begins on a Saturday morning and ends Sunday afternoon. All Academy courses are divided into modules consisting of classroom studies and field exercises.
The first year (Level I) trainee will develop basic individual skills that are mandatory for an individual to survive and function in hostile natural environments and adverse conditions for lengthy periods of time and to understand the basics of search, rescue and recovery.
Total classroom and practical hours for the Level I academic year are approximately 260 hours.
The second year (Level II) trainee will develop advanced individual and team skills and achieve the title of SARR*Tech.
Total classroom and practical hours for the Level II academic year are approximately 180 hours.
TOTAL HOURS FOR SARR*TECH
TRAINING IS APPROXIMATELY
440 HOURS.
Total hours for course completion is
spread out over a two-year period.
Once a member has achieved the SARR*Tech status, he/she must choose at least one specialty. Some specialties may be started during the second year, if and when available.
Our training methods and curriculum are current, relevant and designed to address real-life operational scenarios.
If you want to be a SARR*Tech -
We will make you a SARR*Tech.
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All
Academy courses are divided into modules. Each module represents a
specific subject that is self-contained, but fits into the overall
training regime. Modules are then combined into groups of like material
for a more comprehensive learning package.
Each module is
presented in an orderly and timely fashion so the student can
effectively build on this educational experience and better understand
all the elements needed to perform tasks in a real world environment.
MODULE EXAMPLES - YEAR ONE
BASIC INDIVIDUAL SKILLS
MODULE GROUP ONE - 2.5 HOURS
Group
one modules deal with historical background, concepts, defining
learning skills and general rules of safety and operations. These
modules establish the rules and guidelines for a successful career in
the SARR Corps and the world of search, rescue and recovery.
002.50: 1 hr. - History, Concept, Personal
Attitude
003.40: .5 hr. - Learning Skills
010.00: 1 hr. - Safety
MODULE GROUP THREE - 4.5 HOURS
Group
three modules deal with personal body management skills. These are
basic skills that every individual needs to be able to prepare
themselves for a healtbhy and safe existence, whether it is in a
natural environment or in the midst of disaster conditions.
300.00: .5 hr. - Individual Preparedness
301.00: .5 hr. - Body management
302.00: 1 hr. - Nutrition
303.00: .5 hr. - Physiology of Physical Fitness
304.00: 1 hr. - Clothing
306.00: .5 hr. - Personal Hygiene
340.00: .5 hr. - Field Sanitation
MODULE GROUP FOUR - 13 HOURS
Group
four modules deal with physical fitness. Throughout the first year, a
number of physical fitness activities are conducted. These activities
are in the form of formal exercises, confidence courses and special
programs designed to strengthen the student’s body for the kinds of
activities that are conducted in the field. An example would be upper
body strength. This is important when raising and lowering oneself over steep terrain or for lifting equipment. Lower body strength is needed for endurance in walking all types of terrain for long periods of time.
303.00: 13 hrs. - Physical Fitness Drills and
Confidence Courses
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MODULE GROUP SEVEN - 31 HOURS
Group seven modules cover the basic techniques that constitute the very core of an effective search for the missing person. Each module represents state-of-the-art techniques that identify with today’s professional search tactics.
1200.00: 13 hrs. - Ground Search Exercises
1201.00: 1 hr. - Strike Team
1202.00: 1 hr. - Rapid Search Procedures
1203.00: 1 hr. - Clue Awareness
1204.00: 3 hrs. - Sign Cutting
1205.00: 1 hr. - Perimeter Sweep
1206.00: 1 hr. - Road Search
1207.00: 1 hr. - Confinement
1208.00: 2 hrs. - Grid Search
1209.00: 2 hrs. - Crime Scene Preservation,
Evidence Search
1210.00: 2 hrs. - Urban Search
1211.00: 1 hr. - Building Search
1212.00: .5 hr. - Critical Separation
1213.00: .5 hr. - Sound Sweep, Attraction
Methods
1214.00: 1 hr. - Tracking Overview
MODULE EXAMPLES - YEAR TWO
ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL SKILLS
AND TEAM SKILLS
MODULE 308.00: 16 HRS. - ADVANCED LAND NAVIGATION
This module will take the student beyond the normal map and compass knowledge level. Navigation without a map and compass, as well as night travel, is included in this class.
MODULE 800.10: 4 HRS. - TECHNICAL RESCUE, GOFER CLASS
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with sufficient knowledge of technical (rope) hardware so that he/she can provide proper support knowledge of equipment during a technical (rope) evolution.
MODULE 3301.00: 8 HRS. - DRIVER'S TRAINING
All students must learn how to maneuver the basic vehicular equipment operated by U.S. SARR. This includes vehicle safety checks, over-the-road and cross-country handling and maneuvering in confined areas.
SARR*TECH CHALLENGE
The final challenge of the SARR*Tech program is the SARR*Tech Challenge. This is a continuous 28 hour exercise that tests both individual skills, team skills and total endurance of individuals and team cohesion. This is an extremely intense course and pushes the team members to accomplish more than they think they can. Upon completion of this course, each member receives the SARR*Tech Rocker.
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SARR*TECH CERTIFICATION
At the end of each Level of training, each member must complete both a written test (80% passing grade) and a practical test (100% participation).
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INDIVIDUAL SPECIALTY SKILLS -
YEAR THREE
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Once
the team member has completed the first two levels of academy training,
they will advance to one or more specialties of their choice. All of
the available specialties have their beginning in the first two levels.
Most missions will require only these rudimentary skills to accomplish
the mission’s goals. When more advanced knowledge and traning are
required to perform a more complex evolution, it will then be necessary
for the specialist to step into the breech. Because every member has
been schooled in the basics of all aspects of search, rescue and
recovery, they will be able to provide the backup capability for the
specialist.
The following is a partial list of specialties that are available, others will be added as the programs are developed:
• Strike Team Leader
• Tracker
• Search Dog Handler
• Air Operations Ground Team
• Technical Rescue
• Watercraft Specialist
• Rescue Swimmer
• Underwater Specialist
• Communications Specialist
• Logistics Operations Specialist
• Search Manager
• Base Operations Specialist
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