Hardest Military Training in the World – Military life is widely seen as being more difficult and disciplined in comparison to civilian life. Thus, numerous nations across the globe subject their military personnel to hard training and rigorous exercise in order to withstand the rigorous conditions.
Militaries face the difficult task of trying to prepare their personnel for the worst that they can face on the battlefield, both physically and mentally.
Besides, it is worth noting that there exist military forces across the globe whose training is tougher or harder than those commonly known or heard about.
Yes, you may have seen military training in your own nation and thought, “Oh my God, this training is really tough.” However, what you don’t realise is that in other countries, it’s even tougher.
So, you have to know that Military training is an intense exercise that has to do with courage, precision, and discipline because all these attributes will certainly be called upon in the midst of battle.
However, in this post, you will see the list of some military forces with the hardest training exercise you can ever imagine.
Hardest Military Training in the World
As we have submitted, military training is designed to push individuals to their physical and mental limits, preparing them for the extreme conditions they might face in combat. Among the various military forces around the world, some training programs stand out for their sheer intensity and difficulty.
Below is a detailed list of the military forces with the hardest military training in the world and what makes their training termed to be hard:
1. United States Navy SEALs
The Navy SEALs are renowned for their rigorous training program, known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. This program is designed to test the limits of physical and mental endurance. Candidates undergo weeks of grueling physical training, including “Hell Week,” where they are subjected to continuous physical activity with minimal sleep. The training includes swimming in cold water, running long distances, and carrying heavy loads, all while being constantly pushed to their breaking point.
Some U.S. Navy SEALs’ training exercises are out of this world. This training is also called cold water conditioning. The soldiers have their arms and legs bound as part of “drownproofing.”
The soldiers must bob up and down twenty times. They must swim to the shallow end of the pool, turn around without touching the bottom, and float for five minutes.
Additionally, the trainees have to swim back to the deep end and perform a forward and backward somersault underwater.
The trainees have to retrieve a face mask from the bottom of the pool. While doing this, an instructor attacks a trainee in the pool to simulate a combative drowning victim.
2. Belarus Red Berets (Testing balance by walking over fires)
Belarus is popularly known as the ‘last European dictatorship.’ The country still bears vestiges of the Soviet period. Belarus is militaristic and heavily influenced by Russia because they share a border.
The Belarus Ministry of Interior widely controls Belarus’s military. The soldiers of Belarus armed forces partake in very hard military training to get to the Red Beret rank.
At the Belarus Red Berets, all the trainees will do a particular exercise called “testing balance,” and this testing balancing, they will be walking over fires.
You see, walking over a fire makes the Belarus Red Beret training one of the hardest military training.
3. People’s Liberation Army of China (Jumps through rings of fire)
China’s People’s Liberation Army has the largest military service in the world, with over 2 million military personnel serving in the air, land and sea.
The toughest and most risky training one can receive at the People’s Liberation Army of China military training ground is jumping through rings of fire.
So, if you are planning to join this force, just know that you’ll have to jump through rings of fire to be considered fit for the force.
4. U.S. Marines (Drinking Cobra Blood)
The United States Marine Corps has one of the most difficult and time-consuming training programs in the world. It lasts three months and is tough.
Those who are new to the Marine Corps participate in four initial training sessions. They learn how to swim, shoot rifles and survive physically.
For anyone to join the U.S. Marines, they must drink Cobra Blood as part of their recruitment training.
The US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units are known for their intense training program, which includes the Reconnaissance Indoctrination Program (RIP) and the Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC). Candidates undergo rigorous physical training, including swimming, running, and obstacle courses. They also receive advanced training in reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct action missions.
5. Israeli Defense Forces Military training (Jumping from skyscrapers and rappelling down the side)
Israel has a great level of educated citizens, which has resulted in a well-trained and organized army. The Israeli army is currently the most technologically advanced in the world.
In Israel, one of the hardest military training exercises you must undergo is jumping from skyscrapers and rappelling down the side.
6. Russian Special Forces (Taking a shot to the chest)
This military training is part of a specialized Russian confidence training course.
This training technique includes shooting each other in the chest. During this training exercise, some trainees get injured slightly, and some just take hits to the vest.
The rare idea behind this military exercise is to prepare the soldiers for the moment when their enemy might shoot them. Irrespective of the results of this exercise, the brave soldiers must be able to return fire accurately and fast.
7. Taiwan Marines (Crawling along a path with jagged corals and rocks)
This military training is called “Road to Heaven”. It’s the final stage of a nine-week intensive amphibious training program in southern Taiwan.
This training also requires trainees to execute various exercises and crawl along a 50-meter-long path littered with jagged corals and rocks.
8. People’s Liberation Army of China (“Hot Potato” game with a real grenade)
The soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army of China undergo a training exercise involving a life-and-death game called “Hot Potato” with a live grenade.
The incredible YouTube video above shows Chinese troops stationed in Hong Kong passing a live explosive from one soldier to another. The last one finally throws the live grenade in the hole. After doing this, the soldiers leap out of the way before it explodes. While escaping, they cover their heads for protection.
9. South Korean and Chinese soldiers (Breaking slabs of concrete with their heads)
This is also one of the wildest military training in the world. In this training, the soldiers have to break bamboo poles on their backs and smash bricks on their heads.
Although this military training has few practical applications, it is very important to increase the confidence of soldiers.
10. Russian Alpha Group Spetsnaz
To be selected for Alpha Group Spetsnaz training, Russia’s special forces unit, applicants must undertake these military fitness tests:
- 3000m run in 10:30 minutes or less.
- 100m run in under 12.7 seconds.
- 10 x 10m suicides in under 25 seconds.
- 25 pull-ups or more.
- 90 push-ups in 2 minutes.
- 90 sit-ups in 2 minutes.
- A minimum of 30 dips with no break.
- 10 reps of bodyweight on the bench press.
- Hand-to-hand combat, 3 x 3-minute rounds against a typically larger opponent. If they act defensively or lose the fight, they fail.
The Spetsnaz, Russia’s elite special forces, undergo a brutal training regimen that includes hand-to-hand combat, endurance tests, and survival skills. One of the most notorious aspects of Spetsnaz training is the “Ryazan Marathon,” a grueling 80-kilometer march with full gear. Candidates are also subjected to extreme physical punishment and psychological stress to prepare them for the harsh realities of combat.
11. Israeli Sayeret Matkal
The Israeli Defense Forces’ Sayeret Matkal unit is a special forces unit. They are known for their secrecy and have been taught to battle in various places and scenarios. Applicants must pass the following physical test to be eligible for the advanced training course:
- 3km run in under 14 minutes.
- 3 squats with a 60kg barbell (but at least 11 is considered a good score).
- Suicide runs in a 15kg weighted vest in under 14 seconds.
- 60kg bench press for 3 reps (with a minimum of 12 considered an average score).
- 3 pull-ups in a 15kg weighted vest (again, 12 is considered a more adequate score).
Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s elite reconnaissance unit, has a selection process known as “Gibbush.” This process includes long-distance hikes, navigation exercises, and physical endurance tests.
Candidates must demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, mental resilience, and the ability to operate under extreme stress. The training also includes advanced combat techniques and intelligence-gathering skills.
12. Indian Army Para Special Forces
The Indian Para Special Forces, also known as Para SF, undergo a demanding selection process that includes physical endurance tests, obstacle courses, and survival training. Candidates must also complete a series of psychological tests to assess their mental toughness and ability to handle stress. The training includes advanced combat techniques, parachuting, and counter-terrorism operations.
Para SF training is recognized as one of the most difficult in the world, with 90% of recruits neglecting the 3-month course. Applicants must first pass the following physical test to be considered for the selection course:
- 5000m run in 20 minutes or less.
- 14 strict chin-ups in a row.
- 40 push-ups in 1 minute.
- 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes.
- A shuttle run, similar to the beep test, is a pass-fail test.
13. UK Special Air Services
The SAS of the United Kingdom is the world’s oldest and most well-known Special Forces regiment. Other countries, including Australia, have attempted to replicate their training techniques, and the selection procedure is regarded as one of the most difficult in the world.
According to reports, around 85% of those who undertake the regime will fail. To gain selection into the illustrious training program, applicants must pass the following test:
- 45 push-ups, no rest.
- 45 sit-ups, no rest.
- 1.5-mile run in under 9:30 minutes.
- Applicant must jump from a 10m tower into water.
- A 25m water swim in full uniform holding weapon.
- A 200m swim in uniform plus a 5 min water tread.
- An underwater object retrieval and dive test.
- 8-mile hill run in under an hour.
The British SAS selection process is one of the most demanding in the world. It begins with a series of physical tests, including long-distance runs and marches carrying heavy packs. Candidates must also complete a jungle phase, where they navigate through dense forests and survive with minimal supplies. The final phase, known as “Resistance to Interrogation,” tests their ability to withstand intense psychological pressure.
14. Dutch Royal Guard of Honor (Riding horses through thick plumes of smoke)
At the Dutch Royal Guard of Honor, all the trainees will do a particular exercise: riding horses through thick plumes of smoke.
15. French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is famous for its tough training regimen, which includes long marches, survival training, and intense physical conditioning.
Legionnaires are trained to operate in various environments, from deserts to jungles, and must demonstrate exceptional endurance and resilience. The training also emphasizes discipline, teamwork, and adaptability.
16. North Korean Special Operations Force
As an autocratic, heavily militarized country, North Korean soldiers go through tough training. The country is also said to have the biggest military personnel in the world with over a hundred thousand soldiers. New combatants undergo gruelling and intense operations. Even though they may not have adequate technological progress in their force, they perform some difficult training. For instance, they must wake up at 4 every morning and target-shoot replica buildings.
Taiwan Marine Corps
Taiwanese marines go through a challenging ten-week training program to earn a spot in their elite military force, but the toughest part begins in the last week. It is known as the Road to Heaven. Recruits have to go through more than a 50-metre road of sharp stones. They begin by placing their forearms on the dangerous floors with elbows. The fun part? When the coach is unhappy, they can ask trainees to restart.
Why is Military Training so Hard?
Here are some of the answers:
- One of the most significant advantages of military training is that it builds confidence. Constant training has been observed to assist in improving military personnel’s willpower. They can observe how far they’ve progressed and strengthened since the training session. It also helps them to survive in tough situations, such as a terrorist attack or a battlefield. They can face any combat confidently and not worry about losing their lives.
- Military training helps people stay in shape and promotes good posture. When people undergo military training, they study the techniques needed to handle weapons. There is much more to firing than just learning how to shoot, including practicing moves and fire drills or training in different conditions.
- Proper training can improve military personnel’s endurance and stamina. On training days, they must consume a well-balanced meal, which aids in maintaining a healthy posture. If you want to join the army, you need to have a good physique, and military training can help you improve your physique by boosting your body’s strength.
What does “Military Training” mean?
- Educating soldiers to improve their ability to carry out specified military activities and duties.
- The exercise of one or more combat forces is performed to maximize their military readiness.
What can I do to Survive Military Training?
- Run quickly: The boot camp will be easier if you are in good physical shape. Before you go, be in good shape.
- Bring your A-game: Get up and do it. It might be the best period of your life. Don’t convey any emotion; it’s a job. Do not be a coward.
- Assess your attitude: Drill sergeants and trainers encourage you to learn because it could one day save your life.
- Watch out for your wingman: It’s important to look out for your neighbor. Do not forget that boot camp is a competitive sport.
- Utilize your benefits: A free clinician is available to you. Visit the sick call line if you are injured or ill.
Why is Military Training very important?
The primary objective of military training is to ensure that military forces can achieve tactical, logistical, and technical goals when the country enters conflict or engages in battles or military activities.
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Conclusion:
The hardest military training programs in the world are designed to identify and prepare the most elite soldiers. These programs push candidates to their physical and mental limits, ensuring they are ready for the extreme conditions they might face in combat.
While each program has its unique challenges, they all share a common goal: to create soldiers who are resilient, adaptable, and capable of performing under the most demanding circumstances.
Whether it’s the cold waters of BUD/S, the dense jungles of the SAS selection, or the harsh conditions of Spetsnaz training, these programs are a testament to the extraordinary capabilities of the world’s elite military forces.
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