SEAL vs PJ/CCT
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of SEAL and PJ/CCT, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
UNITED STATESMinimum standards, event by event
| Event | SEAL | PJ/CCT |
|---|---|---|
| 500 yd swim (side/breaststroke) | 12:30only this unit | — |
| Push-ups (2 min)PJ/CCT: Push-ups, 2 min | 50stricter | 40 |
| Curl-ups (2 min) | 50only this unit | — |
| Pull-ups (no time limit)PJ/CCT: Pull-ups, 2 min | 10stricter | 8 |
| 1.5 mi runPJ/CCT: 1.5-mile run | 10:30 | 10:20stricter |
| Sit-ups, 2 min | — | 50only this unit |
| 500 m surface swim (freestyle, breaststroke or sidestroke) | — | 15:00only 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
SEAL sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and pull-ups.
PJ/CCT sets the higher minimum in: 1.5 mi run.
SEAL tests 5 events, PJ/CCT tests 5 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is SEAL or PJ/CCT harder to get into?
SEAL sets the higher minimum in: push-ups and pull-ups. PJ/CCT sets the higher minimum in: 1.5 mi run. 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 SEAL and PJ/CCT fitness tests differ?
SEAL: 5 events (swim, push-ups, curl-ups, pull-ups, run 1.5mi). PJ/CCT: 5 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5 mi run, swim 500).
Does SEAL or PJ/CCT pay more?
SEAL: $6,901/month (E-5 · >3); PJ/CCT: $7,121/month (E-5 · >4) (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.
- Minimum — MILPERSMAN 1220-410 CH-77 (2021-12-03)
- Elevated (EPST) — navy.com — Navy SEAL (EPST) (2026-09-20)
- Average candidate (enlisted) — sealswcc.com — SEAL and SWCC PST Standards (2022-05-05) · APPROXIMATE
- Minimum — Special Warfare Open Enlistment contract (9T500) — AETC/A3S — Initial Fitness Test (IFT) Worksheet, 1 Nov 21 (column SWOE) (2021-11-01)
- PJ/CCT column — prior service, crossflow, retraining — AETC/A3S — Initial Fitness Test (IFT) Worksheet, 1 Nov 21 (column PJ/CCT/TACP/SR) (2021-11-01)