SPECOPSLAB

MARSOC vs USCG DSF

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

UNITED STATESMARSOC — Marine Raider (Critical Skills Operator)Screening prerequisites (1st class PFT, swim)APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →UNITED STATESU.S. Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces (MSRT / TACLET) — Tactical OperatorTactical Operator screener: PFA + 5 chin-ups and 5 pull-ups (2024)APPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventMARSOCUSCG DSF
Pull-ups (PFT)USCG DSF: Pull-ups20stricter5
Plank (PFT)2:54only this unit—
3-mile run (PFT)22:50only this unit—
Chin-ups—5only 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

MARSOC sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.

MARSOC tests 3 events, USCG DSF tests 2 events.

Pay

MARSOC
$6,640 / monthWhat a Marine Raider earns · E-5 · >4 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
USCG DSF
$4,253 / monthWhat a Coast Guard Tactical Operator earns · E-5 · >3 · default scenario, gross

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

Questions

Is MARSOC or USCG DSF harder to get into?

MARSOC 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 MARSOC and USCG DSF fitness tests differ?

MARSOC: 3 events (pull-ups, plank, 3-mile run). USCG DSF: 2 events (chin-ups, pull-ups).

Does MARSOC or USCG DSF pay more?

MARSOC: $6,640/month (E-5 · >4); USCG DSF: $4,253/month (E-5 · >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.

Sources:
MARSOC
USCG DSF