News>Feature - SERE instructor at Fairchild doing what she loves
Photos
Senior Airman Charlene Plante, 22nd Training Squadron, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape specialist, teaches her students triangulation March 13, 2011 in Colville National Forest, Wash., The purpose of this block of training is to teach students how to pinpoint their location using a map, compass and sticks. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Tech. Sgt. JT May III)
A student uses a map and compass March 13, 2011, during survival, evasion, resistance and escape training in Colville National Forest, Wash. During the land navigation phase of SERE training, a student is able to isolate to a five mile radius on a map where he or she is located. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. J.T. May III)
A survival, evasion, resistance and escape student from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., pops red smoke March 13, 2011, in anticipation of a rescue helicopter during vector training in Colville National Forest, Wash. The vector training gets students familiar with proper protocol to correctly guide a helicopter into position to safely rescue them if needed. This entails everything from authentication, to using a compass to pinpoint their heading for the pilot to be able to locate them. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. J.T. May III)
A student holds up a completed snare made from copper wire March 13, 2011, during survival, evasion, resistance and escape training in Colville National Forest, Wash. The students are taught this technique to provide another tool to procure food in case of a survival situation. ((U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Tech. Sgt. JT May III)
Senior Airman Charlene Plante, a 22nd Training Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructor at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., chops wood for a fire for her students March 13, 2011, in Colville National Forest, Wash. The fire will ensure her students have the capability of drying their wet clothes and provide much-needed warmth. Airman Plante will use this time to check her students for frostbite as a safety precaution. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Tech. Sgt. JT May III)
by Tech. Sgt. J.T. May III
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
4/6/2011 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFNS) -- As the sun ascends on a cold, mid-March morning in Colville National Forest, Wash., it marks the beginning of a 14-hour training day for survival, evasion, resistance and escape students and instructors.
Three days of snow and rain have made the ground a wet, soggy, mud ice mixture. The temperature is slowly approaching the low 30s and the humidity gives the cool crisp air added moisture. The average person would get broken down mentally if he or she has to spend days in this austere environment, but not Senior Airman Charlene Plante, a 22nd Training Squadron SERE instructor. She's smiling from ear to ear because she's eager to begin the day's instruction and feels right at home in these conditions for weeks at a time.
"She's a very motivated and organized person who has a passion for the job," said Master Sgt. Travis Butikofer, the flight chief for Charlie Flight, "She has the leadership ability and integrity that we need as SERE specialists."
It's March 13 and seven SERE students, future Air Force pilots, navigators and aircrew members, gather around Airman Plante as she tells them the second training day's agenda without wearing a jacket despite the frigid temperatures: improvised shelters, triangulation, fire building, map reading, building and helicopter vectoring. Her attitude is upbeat and contagious, allowing her students who to set their sights on another rigid day of SERE training.
The Springville, Maine, native grew up building tree forts, hunting and playing in the woods located by her house. Her immense love for the outdoors played a pivotal role in her future as a SERE specialist.
Growing up she always knew she wanted a military life that would offer challenges, but didn't always know it would be in the Air Force. She recalls watching a Marine Corps documentary with her cousin, when she was younger and becoming intrigued by it.
"I believed I was joining the Marines until my dad told me either Navy or Air Force," Airman Plante said.
When it came time to talk with an Air Force recruiter, she was given the opportunity to become a crew chief. The job offer wasn't adventurous enough. After the recruiter learned about her hobbies and what she liked to do, he suggested she join to be a SERE instructor.
The Air Force offered her the chance to do something she loved, so Airman Plante didn't think twice about choosing a career field that's not for the feign of heart. Nor was she deterred by the grueling physical requirements.
Those who seek to become instructors must first complete the course they teach before enrolling in a six-month SERE specialist training program. This is one of the most physically and mentally demanding technical schools in the Air Force. The 5-foot, 3-inch Airman started making a name for herself by keeping up with the rigorous regimen.
"She is the best woodsman, my most dependable troop and one of the sharpest SERE specialists," said Staff Sgt. Alan Morse, her supervisor.
Airman Plante is just shy of her three year mark and already has gained the respect of her peers by having a great work ethic, drive and dedication to physical fitness.
Though she's not decided at this time if she'll stay to retirement, she says she's taking things one enlistment at a time.
"Whenever I have a 14- or 15-hour day, I think about all the people I have met that make this job rewarding. I'm a SERE specialist in the U.S. Air Force. How cool is that?" Airman Plante said.
Comments
4/15/2011 1:54:18 AM ET I had the distinct pleasure to have SrA Plante as one of my instructors recently and I have to say hands down she's truly awesome at what she does. Keep it up Airman Plante.
Airborne ISR, Randolph AFB TX
4/12/2011 11:42:05 PM ET Multicam is authorized for SERE instructors
Liaison, GA
4/12/2011 2:33:50 PM ET It is not about a pet peeve but rather a directive by senior combat rescue officers who BTW are the lead for both PJ and SERE AFSC's in the Air Force as well as senior SERE leadership that SERE Specialist is the correct term to use. There was a reason the AFSC was changed from instructor to specialist as Anon Spokane has pointed out. Even though Anon Spokane is probably a SERE Specialist himself I doubt it was a pet peeve but rather it sounds like he or she is just repeating the corporate line that the personnel recovery leadership is directing. It sounds like Also Anon might have a pet peeve of his or her own.
Not afraid to say Im SERE, HI
4/12/2011 6:10:14 AM ET While the AFSC may be SERE Specialist with a capital 'S' Public Affairs writes in associated press style. Duty titles are not capitalized unless they come before a name. And since this article is written about a specialist specifically as an instructor it is reasonable to call her a SERE instructor and repeat the word instructor as necessary. If the article were about all SERE specialists that article surely would identify SERE folks as specialists and would highlight the full capacity of the AFSC. Sounds like someone with a pet peeve here... Great article and photos Sergeant May
Also Anon, Formerly from FAFB
4/7/2011 11:30:24 AM ET The AFSC is 1T0X1 SERE Specialist. With a capital S in Specialist. It is apparent by the quotes from the flight chief, the supervisor and the subject that the community is trying their best to correct the media and help drop the moniker of instructor by using SERE Specialist in everyone of their qoutes. In this particular article they are SERE Specialist who happen to be S-V80 instructors. SERE Specialist offer a much larger operational skill set than just instructing. Please educate the masses if the AFSC keeps being labeled as instructors there will continue to be leaders who will not see the full capability of the AFSC until they meet a SERE Specialist in an operational environment and see/experience it first hand.
Anon, Spokane
4/7/2011 12:45:16 AM ET Good on you SrA Plante. I attended survival school in the early 90s -- hands down the best AF training I've ever received
