SPECOPSLAB

AAD 10 vs KSK

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of AAD 10 and KSK, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

SWITZERLANDArmee-Aufklärungsdetachement 10 (AAD 10)Pre-selection sports test (Sporttest Vorauswahl) — pass/fail minimumsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventAAD 10KSK
Pull-ups, overhand, without a break, 2 min limit (Klimmzüge)KSK: Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)10stricter7
Sit-ups, knees at 90°, without a break, 2 min limit (Rumpfbeugen)KSK: Sit-ups (30 s)60stricter20
Push-ups to 6 cm above the floor, without a break, 2 min limit (Liegestütze)KSK: Push-ups, hand-release (30 s)50stricter22
5 km cross-country run, sportswear (5-km-Geländelauf)24:00only this unit—
8 km speed march, combat uniform and boots, at least 15 kg (8-km-Eilmarsch)58:00only this unit—
300 m swim, freestyle (300 m Schwimmen)10:00only this unit—
Coordination course—2:00only this unit
Casualty transport (approx. 38 m, 2 obstacles)—2:00only this unit
200 m swim in combat uniform (+ undress in water)—7:30only this unit
20 km march with 20 kg—210 minonly this unit

Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

AAD 10 sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups.

AAD 10 tests 6 events, KSK tests 7 events.

Pay

AAD 10
CHF 6,974 / monthWhat an AAD 10 operator earns · Lohnklasse 17 — AAD 10 operator (Fachberufsunteroffizier / Fachberufsoffizier) · Starting pay, no recognised experience (Anfangslohn) · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
KSK
€4,541 / monthWhat a KSK commando soldier (Kommandosoldat) earns · Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is AAD 10 or KSK harder to get into?

AAD 10 sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, sit-ups, and push-ups. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.

How do the AAD 10 and KSK fitness tests differ?

AAD 10: 6 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, run 5k, march 8k, swim 300). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).

Does AAD 10 or KSK pay more?

AAD 10: CHF 6,974/month; KSK: €4,541/month (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.

Sources:
AAD 10
KSK