Damir Sagolj / Reuters

A U.S. Marine drinks the blood of a cobra during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy as part of the "Cobra Gold 2013" joint military exercise, at a military base in Chon Buri province Feb. 20, 2013. About 13,000 service members from seven countries, Thailand, U.S., Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are participating in the 11-day military exercise.

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Huge military exercise highlights 'rebalancing of US policy toward Asia'

Pornchai Kittiwongsakul / AFP - Getty Images

A US Marine drinks cobra blood offered by a Thai navy instructor during a jungle survival program at a navy base in Sattahip, Thailand, on Feb. 13, 2012.

Narong Sangnak / EPA

U.S. Marines were shown how to kill a cobra then offered the chance to drink the snake's blood as part of a jungle survival training course in Thailand on Monday. The training, which also featured edible bugs and at least one beheaded chicken, is part of a joint military exercise involving 13,180 personnel from more than 20 nations.

The 31st iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold is not all about emulating Charlie Sheen, though. It will also involve a computer-simulated command-post exercise, field training operations and humanitarian and civic-assistance projects, according to a U.S. Army press release.

"We are very proud of our alliance with Thailand, and our alliances and partnerships throughout Asia," said Judith Beth Cefkin, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. "These relationships based on friendship, common goals and mutual respect makes Cobra Gold the vital and vibrant exercise it is today."

Previously on PhotoBlog: Marines practise amphibious war, storm US beaches

Narong Sangnak / EPA

Marines tuck into insects during the training session.