Kampfschwimmer vs Commandos Marine
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Kampfschwimmer and Commandos Marine, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte der Marine (KSM) — KampfschwimmerPFV I — minimum sports requirementsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →
FRANCECommandos Marine (FORFUSCO)Fusilier marin entry minimums (condition physique du marin, 2022)APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | Kampfschwimmer | Commandos Marine |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 m run | 22:00only this unit | — |
| 1,000 m swim | 24:00only this unit | — |
| Static breath-hold dive | 60 sonly this unit | — |
| Underwater distance swim | 30 monly this unit | — |
| Pull-ups (overhand)Commandos Marine: Pull-ups (tractions) | 8stricter | 4 |
| Bench press 50 kg (reps) | 15only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups (abdominaux) | — | 30only this unit |
| VAMEVAL progressive running test — stage (palier) | — | 14only this unit |
| 4 km march with a 6 kg pack (marche avec sac) | — | 18:00only 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
Kampfschwimmer sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Kampfschwimmer tests 6 events, Commandos Marine tests 4 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is Kampfschwimmer or Commandos Marine harder to get into?
Kampfschwimmer sets the higher minimum in: pull-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 Kampfschwimmer and Commandos Marine fitness tests differ?
Kampfschwimmer: 6 events (run 5k, swim 1k, breath, dive dist, pull-ups, bench 50). Commandos Marine: 4 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, vameval, march 4k).
Does Kampfschwimmer or Commandos Marine pay more?
Kampfschwimmer: €5,097/month (Hauptbootsmann (A 8) · Stufe 5); Commandos Marine: €1,946/month (Second maître · ES4 (sergent) · éch. 2) (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.
- Minimum — bundeswehr.de — Der Weg zu den Kampfschwimmern; Flyer KSM Kampfschwimmer (09.2024) (2025-04-14)
- Minimum — fusilier marin entry (men) — Marine nationale — « La condition physique et sportive du marin » (lamarinerecrute.fr, 2022; Wayback copy 2025), column fusilier marin (2026-10-18)