Pull-up requirements by special forces unit
The published minimum number of pull-ups in 49 units from 24 countries, highest first. Grip, time limits and strictness differ, so each row shows the exact event.
| # | Unit | Minimum | Event and conditions | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  MARSOCUnited States | 20 | Pull-ups (PFT) | APPROXIMATE |
| 2 |  JW GROMPoland | 18 | Pull-ups, strict (podciąganie na drążku siłowo) | OFFICIAL |
| 3 |  601. skssCzechia | 15 | Pull-ups, overhand (shyb nadhmatem) | OFFICIAL |
| 4 | JW FORMOZAPoland | 14 | Pull-ups on a high bar (podciąganie na drążku wysokim) | OFFICIAL |
| 5 | JWKPoland | 13 | Strict pull-ups on a high bar (≥ 220 cm) — core event (podciąganie na drążku wysokim siłowo) | OFFICIAL |
| 6 | JW AGATPoland | 12 | Strict pull-ups on a high bar (≥ 220 cm) (podciąganie siłowe na drążku wysokim) | OFFICIAL |
| 7 |  17° StormoItaly | 11 | Pull-ups, overhand (trazioni alla sbarra) | APPROXIMATE |
| 8 |  C Op EspBrazil | 10 | Pull-ups, overhand (flexão na barra fixa) | OFFICIAL |
| 8 |  AAD 10Switzerland | 10 | Pull-ups, overhand, without a break, 2 min limit (Klimmzüge) | OFFICIAL |
| 8 |  GSG 9Germany | 10 | Strict pull-ups (overhand, shoulder-width, from dead hang) | APPROXIMATE |
| 8 |  TaistelusukeltajatFinland | 10 | Pull-ups (leuanveto) | OFFICIAL |
| 8 | SEALUnited States | 10 | Pull-ups (no time limit) | OFFICIAL |
| 13 |  ZSSCroatia | 9 | Pull-ups (zgibovi) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 | KampfschwimmerGermany | 8 | Pull-ups (overhand) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 |  DYKGreece | 8 | Pull-ups, continuous (Έλξεις στο μονόζυγο) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 |  FSKNorway | 8 | Hang-ups, overhand (kroppsheving) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 | MJKNorway | 8 | Pull-ups, overhand (kroppshevning) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 |  ComandosPortugal | 8 | Pull-ups on a fixed bar (flexões de braços na barra) | OFFICIAL |
| 14 |  FNOSRomania | 8 | Pull-ups (tracțiuni) | APPROXIMATE |
| 14 | FOS ComandoRomania | 8 | Pull-ups (tracțiuni) | APPROXIMATE |
| 14 | PJ/CCTUnited States | 8 | Pull-ups, 2 min | OFFICIAL |
| 22 | KSKGermany | 7 | Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang) | OFFICIAL |
| 22 |  MOESpain | 7 | Pull-ups (flexiones de brazos en suspensión en barra) | APPROXIMATE |
| 22 |  ARWIreland | 7 | Pull-ups, overhand, no kipping (pull ups) | APPROXIMATE |
| 25 |  JagdkommandoAustria | 6 | Pull-ups (60 s) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 |  SASR / CommandoAustralia | 6 | Over-grasp heaves (pull-ups) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 |  Para-CdoBelgium | 6 | Pull-ups, chin over the bar (tractions) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 | GrenadiereSwitzerland | 6 | Pull-ups, overhand, chin to the bar, no break (Klimmzüge) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 | LaskuvarjojääkäritFinland | 6 | Pull-ups, underhand, no time limit (leuanveto) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 | Army SFGreece | 6 | Pull-ups, continuous, any grip (Έλξεις σε μονόζυγο) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 |  KCTNetherlands | 6 | Strict pull-ups (no time limit) | OFFICIAL |
| 25 | RangersUnited States | 6 | Pull-ups | APPROXIMATE |
| 33 | SFGBelgium | 5 | Pull-ups (tractions) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | COTBrazil | 5 | Pull-ups, any grip, no kipping (barra fixa) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 |  CJIRUCanada | 5 | Pull-ups (continuous) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | CSORCanada | 5 | Pull-ups (continuous) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | JTF 2Canada | 5 | Pull-ups (continuous) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 |  FrømandskorpsetDenmark | 5 | Pull-ups, overhand (kropshævninger), 3 sets (reps per set) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | JægerkorpsetDenmark | 5 | Pull-ups, overhand (kropshævninger), 3 sets (reps per set) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | CTOEPortugal | 5 | Pull-ups on a bar (flexões de braços na barra) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 |  5. pšuSlovakia | 5 | Pull-ups, overhand grip (zhyby na hrazde nadhmatom) — optional event b | APPROXIMATE |
| 33 |  Royal MarinesUnited Kingdom | 5 | Pull-ups (overhand) | OFFICIAL |
| 33 | USCG DSFUnited States | 5 | Chin-ups | OFFICIAL |
| 44 |  Commandos MarineFrance | 4 | Pull-ups (tractions) | APPROXIMATE |
| 44 | Col MoschinItaly | 4 | Pull-ups, overhand, 2 min (trazioni alla sbarra) | OFFICIAL |
| 46 | BOPEBrazil | 3 | Pull-ups, overhand, no kipping (flexão em barra fixa) | OFFICIAL |
| 46 | JW NILPoland | 3 | Pull-ups on a high bar (podciąganie na drążku wysokim) | APPROXIMATE |
| 48 | COMSUBINItaly | 2 | Pull-ups, overhand, shoulder width (trazioni alla sbarra) | OFFICIAL |
| 48 | HRTUnited States | 2 | Pull-ups, untimed | OFFICIAL |
Minimum (pass) standards only; higher levels are in the paid report. Conditions differ between units — read the event column. Each unit links to its sources.
Questions
Which special forces unit requires the most pull-ups?
MARSOC — Marine Raider (Critical Skills Operator) sets the highest published minimum: 20. Next: JW GROM (18), 601. skss (15), JW FORMOZA (14).
Are 10 pull-ups enough for special forces?
10 pull-ups meet the published minimum in 42 of 49 units, for example C Op Esp, AAD 10, GSG 9. Minimums are only the entry bar; selection itself demands much more.
Why do the conditions differ between units?
Units test pull-ups differently: overhand or underhand grip, with or without a time limit, strict or allowing some swing. We rank by the number in the official minimum and show each unit’s exact event.