Kampfschwimmer vs KSK
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Kampfschwimmer and KSK, 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 →GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | Kampfschwimmer | KSK |
|---|---|---|
| 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)KSK: Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang) | 8stricter | 7 |
| Bench press 50 kg (reps) | 15only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups (30 s) | — | 20only this unit |
| Push-ups, hand-release (30 s) | — | 22only 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
Kampfschwimmer sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Kampfschwimmer tests 6 events, KSK tests 7 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is Kampfschwimmer or KSK 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 KSK fitness tests differ?
Kampfschwimmer: 6 events (run 5k, swim 1k, breath, dive dist, pull-ups, bench 50). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).
Does Kampfschwimmer or KSK pay more?
Kampfschwimmer: €5,097/month (Hauptbootsmann (A 8) · Stufe 5); KSK: €4,541/month (Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3) (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 — bundeswehr.de — Werden Sie Teil des Kommandos Spezialkräfte (2026-07-27)