ARW vs Royal Marines
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of ARW and Royal Marines, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
IRELANDArmy Ranger Wing (ARW) — Óglaigh na hÉireannSOFQ Module 1 — fitness test and loaded marches (Special Operations Forces Qualification)APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →
UNITED KINGDOMRoyal Marines CommandoRoyal Marines Fitness Test (RMFT)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | ARW | Royal Marines |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups, overhand, no kipping (pull ups)Royal Marines: Pull-ups (overhand) | 7stricter | 5 |
| Sit-ups (sit up)Royal Marines: Sit-ups | 31 | 50stricter |
| Push-ups (push up)Royal Marines: Push-ups | 37 | 40stricter |
| 3.2 km run (3.2 km run) | 14:35only this unit | — |
| 12.8 km battle run with 25 kg (12.8 k Battle Run) | 109 minonly this unit | — |
| Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level | — | 11only 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
ARW sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups and push-ups.
ARW tests 5 events, Royal Marines tests 4 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is ARW or Royal Marines harder to get into?
ARW sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: 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 ARW and Royal Marines fitness tests differ?
ARW: 5 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, run 3.2k, battle run). Royal Marines: 4 events (bleep, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups).
Does ARW or Royal Marines pay more?
ARW: €68,691/year; Royal Marines: £27,282/year (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.
- Minimum — all candidates, men and women, every age — ARW HPP — Module 1 – Test Overview, Special Operation Forces – Qualification (SOFQ ECHO-TWO, September 2021), military.ie (2026-10-18)
- Minimum — royalnavy.mod.uk — Commando Recruit Orientation Phase (2026-10-18)