Para-Cdo vs KCT
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Para-Cdo and KCT, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
BELGIUMPara-Commando — Special Operations Regiment (2 Cdo, 3 Para)PIM end tests and tests de combat (soldier)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →
NETHERLANDSKorps Commandotroepen (KCT)KCT information day — basic physical requirementsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | Para-Cdo | KCT |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups, chin over the bar (tractions)KCT: Strict pull-ups (no time limit) | 6same | 6same |
| Toes to bar | 1only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups, hands behind the neck, feet on the ground, knees bent (sit-up)KCT: Sit-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s) | 35 | 40stricter |
| 8 km run (endurance) | 44:00only this unit | — |
| Rope course in combat uniform with jacket and boots (piste corde) | 2:30only this unit | — |
| Obstacle course in combat uniform with jacket and boots (piste d’obstacles) | 4:30only this unit | — |
| Fireman’s carry, 200 m with jacket, boots, webbing and weapon (porter homme) | 1:40only this unit | — |
| 16 km speed march with jacket, boots, webbing and weapon (speed marche) | 120 minonly this unit | — |
| Run distance in 12 min (Cooper test) | — | 2,800 monly this unit |
| Push-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s) | — | 30only 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
KCT sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups.
Same minimum: pull-ups.
Para-Cdo tests 8 events, KCT tests 4 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is Para-Cdo or KCT harder to get into?
KCT sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups. Same minimum: 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 Para-Cdo and KCT fitness tests differ?
Para-Cdo: 8 events (pull-ups, toes2bar, sit-ups, run 8k, rope, obstacles, carry 200, march 16k). KCT: 4 events (cooper, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups).
Does Para-Cdo or KCT pay more?
Para-Cdo: €3,603/month (Caporal / korporaal (Cpl) · annexe A, tableau 12 · 4 yrs); KCT: €3,499/month (Korporaal · trede 1) (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 — soldier (PIM end tests + IPS combat tests) — La Défense — brochure « Candidat SOF / Paracommando » (v4.0/2024), épreuves sportives PIM et tests de combat SOF / Paracommando (2026-01-16)
- Minimum — werkenbijdefensie.nl — Commando worden (2026-07-30)