ARP trainees battle the waves while completing training exercises during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 18, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A chill wind whips across the Taiwan Strait as a small group of Taiwanese marines stands shivering on a remote dock in the early hours of the morning, their shorts and thin jackets drenched after a day spent mostly in the sea.
"Are you a sleeping beauty? Are you skipping out on class?" a trainer shouts at the wiry men, who have barely slept in days, as they do sit-ups and other exercises on the rough concrete floor, some fading in and out of consciousness from fatigue.
ARP trainees pull a rubber boat out of the sea during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 17, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Blasts of cold water from a hose brings them to their senses.
Entry into the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit or ARP, its answer to the U.S. Navy SEALs or Britain's Special Boat Service, is not for the faint of heart.
(Open to see a picture package on recruiting for Taiwan's elite navy unit)
Current members of the Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit burn paper money asking the gods to protect the safety of ARP trainees at the opening ceremony for the last week of the training program, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang
In the event of war with China, which claims the democratic island as its own and has stepped up its military and political pressure against Taiwan, ARP frogmen could find themselves spirited across the strait in small boats under cover of night to scout enemy locations and call in attacks.
Of the group of 31 who started the 10 week course, only 15 finished, with the closing week at the sprawling Zuoying navy base in southern Taiwan the last test, which Reuters was given rare access to witness.
Yu Guang-Cang takes part in training exercises during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 18, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
"I'm not scared of death," Fu Yu, 30, said after completing the "road to heaven", a final obstacle course consisting of a stretch of rocks some 100 metres long over which they have to scramble on their bellies and do tasks like push ups to the satisfaction of their trainers.
"It's a soldier's responsibility, what we must do," added Fu, who had previously tried and failed to complete the course.
Over six days and five nights, the volunteers to enter the ARP have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming by their instructors.
Wang Zheng-Jun holds a squat during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 18, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
A lot of their time is spent in the sea or swimming pools, learning how to hold their breath for extended periods of time, swimming in full combat gear and infiltrating beaches from the sea.
Every six hours they have a one-hour break. In that time they have to eat - scarfing down bulbs of garlic to boost their immune systems - get medical attention, go to the toilet and sleep.
They may only end up with five minutes of sleep, huddled together on the floor under light green blankets, awoken with shrill whistle blasts.
Ou Zhi-Xuan, 25, cries in pain as a fellow trainee is helping him stretch during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
The aim is to give the soldiers an iron will to complete their mission no matter how difficult, and create steadfast loyalty to their comrades and the military.
The candidates are all volunteers, driven to join the special forces out of a mixture of patriotism and a desire to push their personal limits.
Wu Yu-wei, 26, said he considered it a "personal challenge" to complete the course.
ARP trainees eat spiced garlic with their meal during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 17, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang
"The hardest part was the timing, not being able to rest, having only 15 minutes to use the toilet, have a gulp of water, before moving on to the next section," he said.
"The first few days are exhausting, and then you get used to it. You have to rely on your willpower and determination."
Once across the "road to heaven" finish line, and congratulated by Marine Corps commander Wang Jui-lin, the stress of the past week is too much for some of the marines, who burst into tears in the arms of proud family members invited to see them graduate.
Liu Zi-Xian, 25, prepares to change into running clothes after a long swim, during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
The trainers, all graduates of the same course, say the intention of the week of hell is not cruelty but to simulate the hardship of war, like extreme sleep deprivation, to see who has the stamina and guts to make it.
"Of course, we absolutely won't force anyone, everyone is here voluntarily. That's why we are so severe with them and also eliminate them strictly," said trainer Chen Shou-lih, 26. "We won't just wave you through only because you wanted to come."
(Reporting by Ann Wang and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
ARP trainees sleep outside on a rough concrete floor during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees create a "sand storm" as the morning training concludes during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 18, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainer shouts at a trainee who can not keep up with the exercises during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainers, all prior graduates of the same course, say the intention of the week is not cruelty but to simulate the hardship of war. REUTERS/Ann Wang Xie Bo-Jun embraces his father after passing the ten week intensive training program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees are sprayed with water to keep them awake during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees stand in a swimming pool wearing uniforms and holding replica guns, during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainer scolds a trainee during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainers, all prior graduates of the same course, say the intention of the week is not cruelty but to simulate the hardship of war. REUTERS/Ann WangAn ARP trainee has his wrists bound before jumping into a pool as part of his training to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees do push ups during a smoke bomb simulation, during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 21, 2021.The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang Xu De-Yu rings a bell to officially end his time at the Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit training camp at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees bind their ankles before jumping into a pool as part of their training to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainee tries to stay awake while being painted with camouflage at a late night training session during the last week of a ten week intensive program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 20, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang Wu Yu-wei, 26, cries as two fellow ARP trainees leave the program during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. Wu said he considered it a "personal challenge" to complete the course. "The first few days are exhausting, and then you get used to it. You have to rely on your willpower and determination." REUTERS/Ann Wang Ma Shuo-Fu, an ARP trainee, is encouraged to stay on the program by his fellow trainees during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainee pulls a fellow trainee, who is pretending to be injured, through sewage contaminated water during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 21, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees are sprayed with water during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang Ou Zhi-Xuan, 25, helps to carry a rubber boat out of the sea during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 17, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainee dressed in camouflage wades through sewage contaminated water during the last week of a ten week intensive program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 21, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang Liu Zi-Xian is comforted by his mother while resting in his bunk, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 22, 2021. Liu became unwell during his training, and despite completing the tasks, was disqualified from the program before graduation after exhaustion and pain made him speak back to a trainer. REUTERS/Ann Wang Liu Zi-Xian, 25, has his blood pressure measured in an ambulance after falling ill during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainer teases Ceng Shi-feng, 21, after he admitted he was thinking of quitting the training during the last week of a ten week program to become a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainers, all prior graduates of the same course, say the intention of the week is not cruelty but to simulate the hardship of war. REUTERS/Ann Wang Wu Yu-wei, 26, drinks an energy drink in front of his friends after completing the "road to heaven" and becoming a member of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 22, 2021. The "road to heaven", is the final obstacle course consisting of a stretch of rocks some 100 metres long over which the trainees have to scramble on their bellies and complete tasks like push ups to the satisfaction of their trainers. Wu said he considered it a "personal challenge" to complete the course. "The first few days are exhausting, and then you get used to it. You have to rely on your willpower and determination." REUTERS/Ann Wang A newly graduated member of Taiwan's Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, salutes a wall dedicated to his class and previous years graduates, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 22, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang An ARP trainee follows orders given by a trainer while climbing the "road to heaven", at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 22, 2021. The "road to heaven", is the final obstacle course consisting of a stretch of rocks some 100 metres long over which the trainees have to scramble on their bellies and complete tasks like push ups to the satisfaction of their trainers. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees hold their eyes open with their fingers to prevent them from falling asleep, during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees get an average of an hour of sleep a day during the last week of the program. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees navigate sewage contaminated water during the last week of a ten week intensive program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 21, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang ARP trainees try to stay above water for hours at a time as part of their training to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 20, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang Xu De-Yu and Ma Shuo-Fu discuss whether they want to continue with their training during the last week of a ten week program to become members of the Taiwan navy's elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, at Zuoying navy base, Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, December 19, 2021. The trainees have to endure everything from long marches to hours in the water, with constant screaming at by their instructors. Of the group of 31 who started the program, only 15 finished. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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