lens culture
An Asian Passion Play
Touko Hujanen

An Asian Passion Play

Every year one hundred Taiwanese youngsters test themselves to the limits in order to become frogmen. For them, being a marine commando means fame and money. For the Taiwanese military, they are good PR. We joined the 21 recruits for the last three days of their training.

Photos
16
Status
Public
Created
Apr 02, 2014
Updated
Feb 09, 2022
Categories
Documentary

Photos (16)

Every year, 100 Taiwanese youngsters test themselves to the limits in order to become frogmen. The training has been called "hardest training on Earth". For them, being a marine commando means fame and money. For the Taiwanese military, they are good PR. Huang Adrian (on the right) says he came to the training "to become a real man" © Touko Hujanen
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Every nation's army has its own source of pride on which the military builds its public image. In Taiwan, it’s the frogmen. © Touko Hujanen
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Two soldiers taking part in the training in the mudfields of Kaoshiung. © Touko Hujanen
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The Taiwanese army is known for its exceptionally long and hard compulsory national service. A soldier crawls in mud in the Kaoshiung mudfields. © Touko Hujanen
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A soldier dives for a rock over six meters deep. © Touko Hujanen
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For a long time, the Taiwanese army was one of the best-equipped in the world in relation to population, but over the last ten years, the defense forces’ budget has been cut radically. © Touko Hujanen
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The winner of a wrestling match is thrown into the mud. Usually under half of the men starting the training make it to the end. © Touko Hujanen
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In the last week of training, the soldiers are only allowed an hour of sleep a day, fifteen minutes at a time. © Touko Hujanen
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Cover
In the final test, the frogmen-to-be have to undergo their most difficult challenge: 'The Road to Heaven'. The conscripts crawl must crawl along a bed of sharp stones. © Touko Hujanen
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In the ending ceremony, the soldiers are washed of (their) blood. In July 2013, a corporal performing his compulsory military service died of a heart attack during training. This was after he spent a week in solitary confinement. Thousands protested in the streets. The incident led to the Secretary of Defense's resignation. © Touko Hujanen
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