KSK vs JWK
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of KSK and JWK, 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 →
POLANDJednostka Wojskowa Komandosów (JW 4101)Combat team physical fitness exam (egzamin sprawności fizycznej ZB)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | KSK | JWK |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)JWK: Strict pull-ups on a high bar (≥ 220 cm) — core event (podciąganie na drążku wysokim siłowo) | 7 | 13stricter |
| Sit-ups (30 s)JWK: Sit-ups in 2 min (skłony tułowia w przód) | 20 | 70stricter |
| 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)JWK: 200 m breaststroke swim — core event (pływanie na piersiach 200 m) | 7:30 | 5:00stricter |
| 20 km march with 20 kg | 210 minonly this unit | — |
| 3,000 m run — core event (marszobieg 3000 m) | — | 13:00only this unit |
| Parallel bar dips (uginanie ramion na poręczach) | — | 18only this unit |
| Kettlebell snatch 17.5 kg in 1 min, alternating arms (rwanie odważnika) | — | 24only this unit |
| 10 × 10 m shuttle run (bieg wahadłowy 10×10 m) | — | 29.6 sonly this unit |
| “Envelope” zigzag run (bieg zygzakiem „koperta”) | — | 23.6 sonly this unit |
| Running strength test — 50 m U-shaped course with 3 kg ball, kettlebells, pull-ups, roll, dips and vaults (Biegowy Test Siłowy) | — | 47 sonly this unit |
| Underwater swim (pływanie pod wodą) | — | 25 monly 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
JWK sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, sit-ups, and breast 200.
KSK tests 7 events, JWK tests 10 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is KSK or JWK harder to get into?
JWK sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups, sit-ups, and breast 200. 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 JWK fitness tests differ?
KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k). JWK: 10 events (run 3000, pull-ups, breast 200, dips, kb snatch, 10×10 m, envelope, sit-ups, bts, underwater).
Does KSK or JWK pay more?
KSK: €4,541/month; JWK: PLN 9,374–PLN 9,524/month (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.
- Minimum — bundeswehr.de — Werden Sie Teil des Kommandos Spezialkräfte (2026-07-27)
- Minimum — grade 4 in the core events (allowed in only one) — JWK — Minimalne normy z WF do służby na stanowiskach służbowych w zespołach bojowych (Konkurencje i normy W-F ZB, PDF) (2026-03-11)
- Grade 5 in all core events — JWK — Minimalne normy z WF do służby na stanowiskach służbowych w zespołach bojowych (Konkurencje i normy W-F ZB, PDF) (2026-03-11)