Royal Marines vs MARSOC
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Royal Marines and MARSOC, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
UNITED KINGDOM
UNITED STATESMinimum standards, event by event
| Event | Royal Marines | MARSOC |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level | 11only this unit | — |
| Pull-ups (overhand)MARSOC: Pull-ups (PFT) | 5 | 20stricter |
| Push-ups | 40only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups | 50only this unit | — |
| Plank (PFT) | — | 2:54only this unit |
| 3-mile run (PFT) | — | 22:50only 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.
Royal Marines tests 4 events, MARSOC tests 3 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is Royal Marines or MARSOC 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 Royal Marines and MARSOC fitness tests differ?
Royal Marines: 4 events (bleep, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups). MARSOC: 3 events (pull-ups, plank, 3-mile run).
Does Royal Marines or MARSOC pay more?
Royal Marines: £27,282/year; MARSOC: $6,640/month (default scenarios, gross). The amounts are in different currencies and depend on taxes and cost of living, so we do not rank them.
- Minimum — royalnavy.mod.uk — Commando Recruit Orientation Phase (2026-10-18)
- 1st class example — 240 points (men 21–25) — MCO 6100.13A w/Admin CH-5 (PFT tables, Table 2-1: 1st class 235–300); MARADMIN 221/07, par. 7.C (2025-05-28)