Radio Taiwan International
Date: 05 August, 2020
By: Katherine Wei

Taiwan's Special Forces kicks off a summer camp for young adults interested in training like the troops.[/caption] Because of the strict gun control laws in Taiwan, most people grow up without ever touching or even seeing a gun. That’s unless, of course, you’re a member of Taiwan’s armed forces—or just taking part in a boot camp experience like one that’s just begun.

Taiwan’s armed forces has opened a summer camp for young adults interested in getting a taste of military training. 100 of the 700 who signed up were selected to take part and learn how the special forces train. 

Most participants are high school students getting ready to attend university. The kids are eager to learn how to use guns, take part in battle drills, and rappel from the ceiling. 

The training isn’t entirely as strict as the real thing: at one point, the camp had trainers rappel from the ceiling with cakes for this month’s birthday girls. The girls say they were very excited to have their birthday celebrations kick off at the military camp. 

But that’s not to say the training isn’t serious. Among the skills the camp teaches are wilderness survival skills, such as collecting water and drilling wood to start a fire.