SPECOPSLAB

Kampfschwimmer vs KCT

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Kampfschwimmer and KCT, 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 →NETHERLANDSKorps Commandotroepen (KCT)KCT information day — basic physical requirementsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventKampfschwimmerKCT
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)KCT: Strict pull-ups (no time limit)8stricter6
Bench press 50 kg (reps)15only this unit—
Run distance in 12 min (Cooper test)—2,800 monly this unit
Push-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)—30only this unit
Sit-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)—40only 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, KCT tests 4 events.

Pay

KAMPFSCHWIMMER
€5,097 / monthWhat a combat swimmer (Kampfschwimmer) earns · Hauptbootsmann (A 8) · Stufe 5 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
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 Kampfschwimmer or KCT 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 KCT fitness tests differ?

Kampfschwimmer: 6 events (run 5k, swim 1k, breath, dive dist, pull-ups, bench 50). KCT: 4 events (cooper, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups).

Does Kampfschwimmer or KCT pay more?

Kampfschwimmer: €5,097/month (Hauptbootsmann (A 8) · Stufe 5); 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:
Kampfschwimmer
KCT