The Top 5 Toughest Schools in the Military

5. Ranger School - US Army

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U.S. Army Soldiers negotiate the Darby Queen obstacle course during the Ranger Course on Fort Benning, Ga., April 26, 2015. Soldiers attend the Ranger Course to learn additional leadership and small unit technical and tactical skills in a physically and mentally demanding, combat simulated environment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nikayla Shodeen/Released)[/caption]

This school trains individuals to become one of the most elite light infantryman (and now women) on Earth. If you're lucky you might only have to endure 61 days of training, unless you have to go the pre-ranger school or even worse... get recycled through a phase of training. Training includes terrain in places that you're happy to be from but never at. If you're lucky to make it through and earn your tab you can join a proud heritage that dates back to a time before the United States declared its independence.

4. Basic Recon Course - USMC

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Marines graduate in 2009 from the Corps' Basic Reconnaissance Course, a nine-week session based at School of Infantry-West on Camp Pendleton, Calif. (MARINE CORPS)[/caption]

Underfunded and underappreciated by the other branches, including all of the DoD, Marines do what they do best, make it harder because, well, they're Marines. The attrition rate isn't as high as the other Military schools on this list but that doesn't make it one of the toughest. The men going through this course are already some of the best and usually are ready for it. Training includes everything from small unit team tactics to amphibious operations.

3. BUDS - US Navy SEAL selection and training

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A Navy SEAL instructor watches as BUD/S students participate in surf drill training at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif. Photo by Donna Miles[/caption]

How do you know when you're talking to someone who went through BUDS? They'll tell you. This is your path to becoming a US Navy SEAL, an elite force that is the world recognized for their covert operations and dominating in small teams. If you are tough enough to make it through this process you can retire and write a book about it.

2. US Army Special Forces Selection and Training

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A Special Forces candidate conducts a pre-mission rehearsal with Army ROTC cadets role-playing guerilla fighters during ROBIN SAGE.[/caption]

If you want to wear the Green Beret like John Wayne you can skip the Hollywood career and endure some of the toughest training the US Military has to offer. If you make it through the Selection process where you answer questions about being a pirate, ninja or Viking to duck walking for miles in the forest you get the spend up to 2 years training to earn the feared long tab and a beard (when required).

1. Pararescue School - US Air Force

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Pararescuemen and a simulated "survivor" watch as an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter comes in for a landing. Wikimedia.[/caption]

One of the highest attrition rates in all military schools but that could be because most are from the basic ranks of the Air Force who do not normally experience infantry specific type training.

Have you been through one of these schools? Comment below!

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