SPECOPSLAB

KSK vs Parachute Regiment

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of KSK and Parachute Regiment, 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 →UNITED KINGDOMThe Parachute Regiment (British Army)Role Fitness Test (Entry) — ParatrooperOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventKSKParachute Regiment
Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)7only this unit—
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—
Mid-Thigh Pull (MTP), peak force—76 kgonly this unit
Seated medicine ball throw, 4 kg (MBT)—3.1 monly this unit
2 km run—8:25only this unit

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

The two tests have no directly comparable events, so the minimums cannot be ranked against each other.

KSK tests 7 events, Parachute Regiment tests 3 events.

Pay

KSK
€4,541 / monthWhat a KSK commando soldier (Kommandosoldat) earns · Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
PARACHUTE REGIMENT
£35,310–£37,407 / yearWhat a Paratrooper earns · OR3 · Lance Corporal · OR3-01 · default scenario, gross

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

Questions

Is KSK or Parachute Regiment harder to get into?

The two tests have no directly comparable events, so the minimums cannot be ranked against each other. 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 Parachute Regiment fitness tests differ?

KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k). Parachute Regiment: 3 events (mtp, med ball, 2 km run).

Does KSK or Parachute Regiment pay more?

KSK: €4,541/month; Parachute Regiment: £35,310–£37,407/year (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.

Sources:
KSK
Parachute Regiment