Inside the Taiwanese navy’s ‘hell week’, where less than half the participants make it through

It’s a week so hellish that even the so-called “road to heaven” is paved with blood, bruises and plenty of sharp rocks. This is the Taiwanese navy’s 10-week course for its elite Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol unit, their equivalent of the US Navy Seals. Special forces hopefuls have to endure hours of marches, swimming and taxing physical tasks for a full week to earn a spot as frogmen in the unit.