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The Birth of Hostage RESCUE UNITS 13

many problems with terrorism and hostage-taking. That’s why GIGN soldiers are among the best in the world. After training and a successful period in the French police, candidates may apply to transfer to

GIGN. Before candidates are interviewed, their past performance records are checked thoroughly to see if they are eligible for the job. All applicants have to pass preliminary

physical, shooting, swimming, intelligence, and psychological tests before they can be selected for the training course. This training course emphasizes mental and physical fitness, strength, raw courage, and marksmanship. The maximum age that someone can attempt to enter the GIGN is 32, and usually only around 10 percent of the applicants make it through the selection phase. This GIGN sniper has a fast-rope and radio tied to his belt. He is wearing thermal imaging goggles.