SPECOPSLAB

Kampfschwimmer vs Frømandskorpset

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Kampfschwimmer and Frømandskorpset, 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 →DENMARKFrømandskorpset — Operatør (frømand)Fysisk test niveau 5 (1st and 2nd selection)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventKampfschwimmerFrømandskorpset
5,000 m run22:00only this unit—
1,000 m swim24:00only this unit—
Static breath-hold dive60 sonly this unit—
Underwater distance swim30 monly this unit—
Pull-ups (overhand)Frømandskorpset: Pull-ups, overhand (kropshævninger), 3 sets (reps per set)8stricter5
Bench press 50 kg (reps)15only this unit—
12-minute run (12-min løbetest)—2,900 monly this unit
Split squat, 3 × 15 per leg — added load—20 kgonly this unit
Dips, 3 sets (reps per set)—5only this unit
Burpees in 2 minutes—35only 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, Frømandskorpset tests 5 events.

Pay

KAMPFSCHWIMMER
€5,097 / monthWhat a combat swimmer (Kampfschwimmer) earns · Hauptbootsmann (A 8) · Stufe 5 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
FRØMANDSKORPSET
DKK 479,843 / yearWhat a Frømandskorpset operator earns · Sergent (CS, basisløngruppe 2) · bl.gr. 2 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional

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

Questions

Is Kampfschwimmer or Frømandskorpset 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 Frømandskorpset fitness tests differ?

Kampfschwimmer: 6 events (run 5k, swim 1k, breath, dive dist, pull-ups, bench 50). Frømandskorpset: 5 events (run 12min, split sq, dips, pull-ups, burpees).

Does Kampfschwimmer or Frømandskorpset pay more?

Kampfschwimmer: €5,097/month; Frømandskorpset: DKK 479,843/year (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.

Sources:
Kampfschwimmer
Frømandskorpset