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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

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 Wang SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

An 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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

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 SEARCH "WANG TAIWAN FROGMEN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES