Submitted by johnnyglass t3_11drnb1 in Maine
Has anyone ran into this school in the area? My buddy wants me to go camping up there, but a neighbor said when I mentioned it if you bump into those guys; that they’re crazy and can cause you a lot of trouble
Yes and this isn’t just bubba and his M2 on the crew served range… service members sign an NDA when they go to that school cause they do some squirrelly shit. Definitely do not interfere
A lot of comments here based off what folks think versus reality. It is highly unlikely you will find yourself on the same property. The closest you may get is a gate. The school is in Redington, close to Rangeley but not Rangeley. Anyone training at SERE school isn’t going to run into a camper… and if they did, they won’t kill them but you’ll probably get a strong lecture and redirected where you should be. To even think you’ll be harmed is based off of weird backwoods legends deep in the mobile home neck of the woods. You’ll be fine. Just be mindful where you camp - make sure it’s public land and not private and follow the laws and regulations pertaining to the land.
Source: I went to Navy dive school and did RTC 800 division with those who chose the SEAL pipeline. I still talk to a few who’ve done the school.
It's funny reading some of these comments though. People think some military guy going through SERE is going to go ape shit on some random person or that you're going to get snatched up by some dudes in black vans. It isn't Area 51, you can google SERE and find plenty of information on it.
I got offered a SERE school slot once (not the one in Maine though) because our unit had extra seats to send people. I passed on it, but had some coworkers who volunteered for it. After talking to them when they got back I was glad I decided to stay in Germany and enjoy my weekends off.
Yes there is a lot of silly comments here. Probably attributed to too much television and a lack of real world exposure. It’s not top secret, there’s schools all over the country. I think before Cutler downsized it’s staff they used to offer training out there for the low frequency radio wave program. I also think in the episode of Bear Grylls doing survival in the Maine woods he made a reference to SERE school. But I suppose we can give folks in Rangeley something to be chatting about
I think part of it too is that when that lady hiker (I'm afraid I don't recall her name but her trail handle was Inchworm) wandered off the Appalachian Trail and vanished, The Bollard wrote some sketchy stories that tried to insinuate that the school had something to do with her disappearance, and by the way did you know the military is bad?
Tragically, they found her remains some months later; she had gotten lost in the woods and died.
I remember that. I also think there were people from the school actually helping in the search party. That was a tragic story.
Oh you won't likely bump into those guys....you'll likely bump into an extremely pissed instructor who will at best tell you to get the f out. More likely call the cops.
The school is for some serious stuff don't mess around and find out.
this
I went camping there. They don't feed you and make you shit in a can. 1 outta 5 stars.
If you complain they slap you
Unexpected amount of cardio. 0/10 do not recommend to friends or family. I much enjoyed the people’s pond over this one.
Not sure if you’re joking but I actually have been camping there 3 times and your description is surprisingly accurate.
How did you go 3 times…
They break any fingers?
A lot of people just making up random shit in here to try and fear monger
It’s a military school. There will be plenty of signs telling you to keep out. That’s it.
You can thank that d-bag Chris Busby popularizing this theory. His stories about this have been removed from the BDN.
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Yeah certainly aren’t planning on lookin for them. We want to explore and stay out of everyone’s way
Don't explore there.
Explore somewhere else.
You won't find them in the woods unless you're looking for them. Don't worry about it.
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You’ll get to the edge of the Redington property and be greeted by a sign that says no trespassing and you’re kindly asked to turn around.
You keep going, and there will be another sign that basically says “seriously turn the fuck around NOW”
I’m not sure if there is a third sign, but I’m not sure you want to find out what it says either. Probably something along the lines of “if you can read this, you’re already dead”
I’ve heard a few weird stories. One I believed was a guy who said he was 4-wheeling in that area and stopped for a smoke as his party turned around & the next thing he remembers is being at a store many miles away with his quad. Rumors include ppl being blindfolded and dropped off many miles away.
Hyperbole aside, I bet they’re more likely to arrest you if you are being a dumbass about it. Otherwise you’d just be escorted out. The AT does come right near the edge of it so I’m sure they’re used to people getting lost and curious on the edges from time to time.
There’s no reason to go onto the Redington base itself. That would just be stupid. But you absolutely should go camping in the area.
Yes, there are some crazy stories about that place over the years. But if you honestly think you might just accidentally stumble into it while camping then maybe it’s legitimately not safe for you to go out in the woods anywhere. You would have to be completely oblivious to your surroundings, hiking miles out of your way through the most rugged parts of the Maine woods.
But yeah, there’s great camping, hiking, fishing, etc, all throughout the general area. Listen to your buddy.
If you want to mingle with some SERE students being squirrelly go hang out in Spokane, WA.
Beautiful, rough country. Federal property is clearly marked on the map. Go explore anywhere around it.
Sounds like some Chris Busby bullshit. The only "trouble" you'd be caused is the cops running you off for trespassing, if you trespass. There's nothing sinister about SERE (there were definitely incidents of sexual abuse of the students going on in the 70s that I'm not trying to minimize, but that hasn't been a thing in almost fifty years).
Do you think they're going to "most dangerous game" you or something?
Stay out
If you want to practice SERE stuff or explore a good chunk of woods, head for baxter or hit up the North Maine Woods
Meh. Don't worry about it. They're just gonna be a bunch of starvingly hungry folks improvising weapons. What could go wrong?
(Seriously though it's a cool school but the guys who go are going through some heavy training shit so don't make it worse for them, ok?)
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Your local paper will thank you
Depending on what you see they can disappear you
Sauce: I’ve been
Guygan t1_jaaf5uj wrote
Trespassing on federal land used by the military is not a good idea.