SFG vs KCT
Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of SFG and KCT, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.
BELGIUMSpecial Forces Group (SFG) — Special Forces OperatorSOF admission tests and cadre tests de combat (SF operator candidate)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →
NETHERLANDSKorps Commandotroepen (KCT)KCT information day — basic physical requirementsOFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →Minimum standards, event by event
| Event | SFG | KCT |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-ups (tractions)KCT: Strict pull-ups (no time limit) | 5 | 6stricter |
| Toes to bar, right after the pull-ups | 1only this unit | — |
| Sit-ups (sit-up)KCT: Sit-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s) | 40same | 40same |
| 8 km run (endurance) | 40:00only this unit | — |
| Rope course in combat uniform with jacket and boots (piste de corde) | 2:20only this unit | — |
| Obstacle course in combat uniform with jacket and boots (piste d’obstacles) | 4:15only this unit | — |
| Fireman’s carry, 200 m with jacket, boots, webbing and weapon (porter homme) | 1:20only this unit | — |
| 16 km speed march with jacket, boots, webbing and weapon (speed marche) | 100 minonly this unit | — |
| Run distance in 12 min (Cooper test) | — | 2,800 monly this unit |
| Push-ups (2 min, 1 rep every 2 s) | — | 30only 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
KCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.
Same minimum: sit-ups.
SFG tests 8 events, KCT tests 4 events.
Pay
Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.
Questions
Is SFG or KCT harder to get into?
KCT sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. Same minimum: sit-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 SFG and KCT fitness tests differ?
SFG: 8 events (pull-ups, toes2bar, sit-ups, run 8k, rope, obstacles, carry 200, march 16k). KCT: 4 events (cooper, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups).
Does SFG or KCT pay more?
SFG: €4,173/month (Sergent / sergeant (Sgt) · annexe A, tableau 7 · 4 yrs); KCT: €3,499/month (Korporaal · trede 1) (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 — under 35 (admission tests + SOF Basic Course combat tests) — La Défense — brochure « Candidat SOF / Paracommando » (v4.0/2024), épreuves d’admission cadres et tests de combat cadres (fin SOF BC) (2026-01-16)
- Minimum — werkenbijdefensie.nl — Commando worden (2026-07-30)