SPECOPSLAB

KSK vs 5. pšu

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of KSK and 5. pšu, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →SLOVAKIA5. pluk špeciálneho určenia (5. pšu) ŽilinaArmy entry test (previerka fyzickej zdatnosti, vyhláška 446/2022) + selection structureAPPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventKSK5. pšu
Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)5. pšu: Pull-ups, overhand grip (zhyby na hrazde nadhmatom) — optional event b7stricter5
Sit-ups (30 s)20only this unit—
Push-ups, hand-release (30 s)22only this unit—
Coordination course2:00only 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 kg210 minonly this unit—
12-minute run (beh na 12 minút) — compulsory—1,944 monly this unit
10 × 10 m shuttle run (člnkový beh 10 x 10 metrov) — optional event a—33.2 sonly 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

KSK sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.

KSK tests 7 events, 5. pšu tests 3 events.

Pay

KSK
€4,541 / monthWhat a KSK commando soldier (Kommandosoldat) earns · Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
5. PŠU
€2,265 / monthWhat a 5th Special Purpose Regiment operator earns · rotmajster · 0 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional

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

Questions

Is KSK or 5. pšu harder to get into?

KSK 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 KSK and 5. pšu fitness tests differ?

KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k). 5. pšu: 3 events (run 12min, shuttle, pull-ups).

Does KSK or 5. pšu pay more?

KSK: €4,541/month (Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3); 5. pšu: €2,265/month (rotmajster · 0) (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:
KSK
5. pšu