SPECOPSLAB

Grenadiere vs KSK

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

SWITZERLANDGrenadiere — Ausbildungszentrum Spezialkräfte (AZ SK), IsoneGrenadier aptitude test (Eignungsprüfung, EP) — sports testOFFICIALlast 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

EventGrenadiereKSK
5 km march, combat boots and uniform, 20 kg pack (Marsch 5 km, 40 min limit)40:00only this unit—
Pull-ups, overhand, chin to the bar, no break (Klimmzüge)KSK: Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)67stricter
Push-ups in 60 s from prone, hands touching at the top (Liegestützen)KSK: Push-ups, hand-release (30 s)2122stricter
Lateral core test, hip raises in rhythm, max 120 s (Rumpfkraft seitlich)46 sonly this unit—
Dorsal core test on a box, lowering to 40° in rhythm, max 150 s (dorsale Rumpfkette)72 sonly this unit—
Sit-ups (30 s)—20only 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

KSK sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups and push-ups.

Grenadiere tests 5 events, KSK tests 7 events.

Pay

GRENADIERE
CHF 2,281 / monthWhat a Grenadier recruit receives in recruit school (militia: Sold + EO) · Rekrut — CHF 6.00 Sold a day · Recruit school (RS) · 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 Grenadiere or KSK harder to get into?

KSK sets the higher minimum in: pull-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 Grenadiere and KSK fitness tests differ?

Grenadiere: 5 events (march 5k, pull-ups, push-ups, core lat, core dors). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).

Does Grenadiere or KSK pay more?

Grenadiere: CHF 2,281/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:
Grenadiere
KSK