Dozens of army students were struck by lightning at the precise moment they were training to avoid those same lightning strikes.

Lightning has a habit of defying expectations.

Forty Army Ranger students and four instructors were hit by lightning on Wednesday—during lightning protection drills. 

The incident occurred at 4:55 p.m. near Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. 

The students were six days into a 10 day training program referred to as the "Swamp Phase," when they were learning about the "l