SASR / Commando vs PJ/CCT
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of SASR / Commando and PJ/CCT, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
AUSTRALIAAustralian Army — Special Forces Operator (SASR, 1st & 2nd Commando Regiment)Special Forces PFA (Pre-entry Fitness Assessment)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →
UNITED STATESU.S. Air Force Pararescue (PJ) & Combat Control (CCT)Initial Fitness Test (IFT)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | SASR / Commando | PJ/CCT |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-upsPJ/CCT: Sit-ups, 2 min | 60stricter | 50 |
| Push-upsPJ/CCT: Push-ups, 2 min | 40same | 40same |
| Shuttle run (beep test), level.shuttle | 10.1only this unit | — |
| Over-grasp heaves (pull-ups)PJ/CCT: Pull-ups, 2 min | 6 | 8stricter |
| 1.5-mile run | — | 10:20only this unit |
| 500 m surface swim (freestyle, breaststroke or sidestroke) | — | 15:00only 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
SASR / Commando sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups.
PJ/CCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Same minimum: push-ups.
SASR / Commando tests 4 events, PJ/CCT tests 5 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is SASR / Commando or PJ/CCT harder to get into?
SASR / Commando sets the higher minimum in: sit-ups. PJ/CCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. Same minimum: push-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 SASR / Commando and PJ/CCT fitness tests differ?
SASR / Commando: 4 events (sit-ups, push-ups, beep test, heaves). PJ/CCT: 5 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, 1.5 mi run, swim 500).
Does SASR / Commando or PJ/CCT pay more?
SASR / Commando: A$167,009/year; PJ/CCT: $7,121/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 (enlistment) — ADF Careers — Special Forces Operator; Fitness requirements (Army → Special Forces) (2026-10-18)
- 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)