KCT vs Royal Marines
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of KCT and Royal Marines, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
NETHERLANDS
UNITED KINGDOMMinimum standards, event by event
| Event | KCT | Royal Marines |
|---|---|---|
| Run distance in 12 min (Cooper test) | 2,800 monly this unit | — |
| Push-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)Royal Marines: Push-ups | 30 | 40stricter |
| Sit-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s)Royal Marines: Sit-ups | 40 | 50stricter |
| Strict pull-ups (no time limit)Royal Marines: Pull-ups (overhand) | 6stricter | 5 |
| Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level | — | 11only 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
KCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and sit-ups.
KCT tests 4 events, Royal Marines tests 4 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is KCT or Royal Marines harder to get into?
KCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and sit-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 KCT and Royal Marines fitness tests differ?
KCT: 4 events (cooper, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups). Royal Marines: 4 events (bleep, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups).
Does KCT or Royal Marines pay more?
KCT: €3,499/month; Royal Marines: £27,282/year (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.
- Minimum — werkenbijdefensie.nl — Commando worden (2026-07-30)
- Minimum — royalnavy.mod.uk — Commando Recruit Orientation Phase (2026-10-18)