Taiwan is preparing for the worst. Faced with the constant threat of conflict, the island’s Army has designed a hellish training program for its elite forces. The Patrol and Reconnaissance unit demands 70 days of agony known as the “road to heaven”. A path many describe as a near-death experience.
The candidates crawl face down with their hands tied behind their backs over terrain full of sharp rocks and coral. They also do somersaults and crawl with a partner on top of them, gripping their neck. It is 100 meters of torture that leaves their skin shredded. Then, hours submerged in water in full uniform with barely five minutes of rest.
The Taiwanese government seeks to forge perfect soldiers, ready for any threat. Those who manage to complete the cycle achieve their dream of belonging to the elite unit. Those who do not, try again.
