Para-Cdo vs KSK
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Para-Cdo and KSK, 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 →
GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | Para-Cdo | KSK |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups, chin over the bar (tractions)KSK: Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang) | 6 | 7stricter |
| Toes to bar | 1only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups, hands behind the neck, feet on the ground, knees bent (sit-up)KSK: Sit-ups (30 s) | 35stricter | 20 |
| 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 | — |
| 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) | — | 7:30only this unit |
| 20 km march with 20 kg | — | 210 minonly 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
Para-Cdo sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups.
KSK sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Para-Cdo tests 8 events, KSK tests 7 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is Para-Cdo or KSK harder to get into?
Para-Cdo sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups. KSK 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 Para-Cdo and KSK fitness tests differ?
Para-Cdo: 8 events (pull-ups, toes2bar, sit-ups, run 8k, rope, obstacles, carry 200, march 16k). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).
Does Para-Cdo or KSK pay more?
Para-Cdo: €3,603/month (Caporal / korporaal (Cpl) · annexe A, tableau 12 · 4 yrs); KSK: €4,541/month (Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 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.
- 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 — bundeswehr.de — Werden Sie Teil des Kommandos Spezialkräfte (2026-07-27)