SPECOPSLAB

ESTSOF vs KCT

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

ESTONIAEstonian Special Operations Force (Erioperatsioonide väejuhatus, EOVJ)KVKT — 60 points per event (entry to EOVJ conscript service)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →NETHERLANDSKorps Commandotroepen (KCT)KCT information day — basic physical requirementsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventESTSOFKCT
Push-ups in 2 min (käte kõverdamine toenglamangus)KCT: Push-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)40stricter30
Sit-ups in 2 min, hands behind the head (istesse tõus, käed kukla taga)KCT: Sit-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)46stricter40
3200 m run (3200 m jooks)15:54only this unit—
Run distance in 12 min (Cooper test)—2,800 monly this unit
Strict pull-ups (no time limit)—6only 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

ESTSOF sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and sit-ups.

ESTSOF tests 3 events, KCT tests 4 events.

Pay

ESTSOF
€150 / monthWhat an ESTSOF conscript earns · Reamees / madrus (ajateenija) · months 1–8 · default scenario, gross
KCT
€3,499 / monthWhat a KCT commando earns · Korporaal · trede 1 · default scenario, gross

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

Questions

Is ESTSOF or KCT harder to get into?

ESTSOF sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and sit-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 ESTSOF and KCT fitness tests differ?

ESTSOF: 3 events (push-ups, sit-ups, run 3200). KCT: 4 events (cooper, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups).

Does ESTSOF or KCT pay more?

ESTSOF: €150/month (Reamees / madrus (ajateenija) · months 1–8); KCT: €3,499/month (Korporaal · trede 1) (default scenarios, gross). The default scenarios use different ranks and seniority, so this is not a like-for-like comparison — set the same rank in the pay calculator on each unit page.

Sources:
ESTSOF
KCT