PJ/CCT vs USCG DSF
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of PJ/CCT and USCG DSF, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
UNITED STATESU.S. Air Force Pararescue (PJ) & Combat Control (CCT)Initial Fitness Test (IFT)OFFICIALlast 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
| Event | PJ/CCT | USCG DSF |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups, 2 minUSCG DSF: Pull-ups | 8stricter | 5 |
| Sit-ups, 2 min | 50only this unit | — |
| Push-ups, 2 min | 40only this unit | — |
| 1.5-mile run | 10:20only this unit | — |
| 500 m surface swim (freestyle, breaststroke or sidestroke) | 15:00only 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
PJ/CCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
PJ/CCT tests 5 events, USCG DSF tests 2 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is PJ/CCT or USCG DSF harder to get into?
PJ/CCT 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 PJ/CCT and USCG DSF fitness tests differ?
PJ/CCT: 5 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5 mi run, swim 500). USCG DSF: 2 events (chin-ups, pull-ups).
Does PJ/CCT or USCG DSF pay more?
PJ/CCT: $7,121/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.
- 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)
- Minimum at the Tactical Operator screener (AY25) — USCG ALCGPSC 079/24 — AY25 Tactical Operator Screener Solicitation (2024-06-10)