Eighteen-year-old Huang Ya-hsin (黃雅歆) yesterday became the nation’s seventh female member in the Marines’ Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (ARPU).
“It’s all worth it,” she said. “I am proud to be one of the ARPU.”
Huang was one of 45 marines who participated in the three-month training course to become a certified frogwoman.
PHOTO: CNA
The Marines said there were two females at the beginning of the course. Twenty-nine marines washed out after eight weeks and Huang was the remaining female who made it to the last week.
The last week has been termed “Hell Week.” During the week, participants must complete arduous physical and mental challenges at land and sea on less than five hours of sleep per day.
On the last day of Hell Week, participants must complete the “Road to Heaven” challenges to gain certification.
“Road to Heaven” challenges involve various exercises along a 50m path that is littered with coral and rocks.
“I was determined to become a frogwoman ever since I first saw a TV news story about the ‘Road to Heaven’ in junior high school,” Huang said.
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