We’ve seen the action packed movies of Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris and many others who’ve performed clandestine missions around the world and saved civilian lives. Well, believe it or not, there are elite military personnel who undergo such intense training and acquire skills which a normal human being cannot even fathom doing. Here’s a list of elite forces whose training requirements might shock you:
1. US Navy Seals
The physical and mental strength required to pass just their first step includes a minimum of 42 push-ups, 50 sit-ups in two minutes and running a 1.5 miles course within 11 minutes. All of this has to be done before the training formally begins!
2. Britain’s Special Air and Boat Service
In order to pass their training, a candidate must know how to swim two miles in an hour and a half and run four miles in 30 minutes. Then, you’re dropped in a jungle/rainforest of Belize to learn survival and navigational tactics. After which a 36-hour interrogation session is conducted to break the candidate’s will. Each candidate gets ONLY two attempts to pass.
3. Russia’s Alpha Group
This group is famously known for storming an airplane which was hijacked and successfully carrying out their mission. They have played instrumental roles in hostage crisis and they have been trained to withstand extreme weather temperatures, that too without any proper equipment.
4. National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) from France
This elite military force has rescued civilians from on the ground, above ground and even on water. Their intense physical and mental training session that lasts months! Moreover, the rejection rate is 70 to 80%. It is not uncommon for every new recruit to get rejected for France’s special force.
5. EKO Cobra Austria
They have been a part of numerous operations, including saving a hijacked plane while it was still flying. Like every special force, rigorous training in combat, assault, diving, sniping, hand-to-hand combat and much more is involved. New recruits also undergo specialized courses in different languages, and training goes on for several months.
6. US Delta Force
Separate from their Navy Seals, Delta Force training requires candidates to be male, at least 21 years old and high aptitude test score. Training involves a series of fierce physical and mental tests to eliminate the weakest recruits.
7. GSG 9 Germany
Known for its powerful methods, this force has been involved in rescuing many hostages, neutralizing targets, and sniper operations. It is very active in developing new methods to be deployed on their secretive missions.
8. SSG Pakistan
Called the ‘Special Services Group’ or ‘Black Storks’ – they are known for their bravery and courage. Trained in extensive hand-to-hand combat, only 1 in 4 recruits end up passing the first step that lasts more than 9 months. Physical training also includes a five-mile run in 20 minutes and takes place in different environments, such as mountainous regions, desert areas, jungles and water.
9. Marcos Indian Navy
Capable of undertaking operations in all types of terrains, especially in water, these men know how to open a parachute into open water with full combat load. They can dismantle boats and conduct surprise attacks under water. They move swiftly and their drop out rate is more than 90%.
