SPECOPSLAB

Royal Marines vs 21 & 23 SAS (R)

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of Royal Marines and 21 & 23 SAS (R), event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

UNITED KINGDOMRoyal Marines CommandoRoyal Marines Fitness Test (RMFT)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →UNITED KINGDOM21 and 23 Special Air Service (Reserve) — UK Special Forces (Reserve)Role Fitness Test (Entry) — SAS ReserveOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventRoyal Marines21 & 23 SAS (R)
Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level21 & 23 SAS (R): Multi-stage fitness test (bleep), level.shuttle11stricter5.8
Pull-ups (overhand)5only this unit—
Push-ups40only this unit—
Sit-ups50only this unit—
Mid-Thigh Pull (MTP), peak force—50 kgonly this unit
Seated medicine ball throw, 4 kg (MBT)—2.7 monly 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

Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: bleep.

Royal Marines tests 4 events, 21 & 23 SAS (R) tests 3 events.

Pay

ROYAL MARINES
£27,282 / yearWhat a Royal Marine earns · OR2 · Marine / Private · OR2-01 · default scenario, gross
21 & 23 SAS (R)
£47,426 / yearSpecial Forces pay for 21 & 23 SAS (R): annual pay spine and day rates · SF Range 1 (OR2–OR3) · Private, Lance Corporal · L1 · default scenario, gross

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is Royal Marines or 21 & 23 SAS (R) harder to get into?

Royal Marines sets the higher minimum in: bleep. 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 21 & 23 SAS (R) fitness tests differ?

Royal Marines: 4 events (bleep, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups). 21 & 23 SAS (R): 3 events (mtp, med ball, bleep).

Does Royal Marines or 21 & 23 SAS (R) pay more?

Royal Marines: £27,282/year (OR2 · Marine / Private · OR2-01); 21 & 23 SAS (R): £47,426/year (SF Range 1 (OR2–OR3) · Private, Lance Corporal · L1) (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.

Sources:
Royal Marines
21 & 23 SAS (R)