Physical Fitness Requirements from the Austrian Elite Police

Selection Sport Test Eko Cobra

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Eko Cobra, a special elite police unit of Austria, is known to be a highly professional and efficient unit. They are trained for hostage crisis, counter-terrorism, VIP protection, air marshal service, and other situations.

Motto: "Ständig besser werden"
Translation: Always become better

Established in: "1978"

To join, one can be of any age and any gender. Any candidate has to be police first, and therefore have gone through police formation which lasts 2 years. They also have to have worked 2 years as a police officer to join Pre-Selection.

The physical screening test at Eko Cobra is very physical but it is also about proving professionalism and overcoming fears. You already have to be on a different mental level before trying to join. You have to be 100% healthy and in 200% physical shape.

Chart Standards Eko Cobra

#	Exercises	Pass
1	Rope Climb	3 Meter Rope Climb without using the legs as efficiently as possible
2	Leg Raise	Core Strength Event
3	25 Meter Swim	Hands tied. Pass / Fail. No second tries allowed.
4	Ladder Climb	Climb a floating ladder from 3rd to 5th floor.
5	Shooting Skills	Evaluation of your shooting skills
6	Parcour	Ultimate test of athleticism. 4 min is the max time

Auswahlverfahren - Eko Cobra

To make it successfully into Selection, one must not only pass the physical requirements but dominate them. The candidate also needs to outperform the other candidates. It is to note that the final say-so for the candidates to join, lies with the "Innenministerium" (Internal Affairs Ministry) of Austria. If they do not consider a candidate a good fit, they will hinder the candidate from joining Selection. Leg raises are done hanging and touching a ball that hangs overhead. The shooting test has to be performed in various ways, standing, sitting, right hand, and left hand. Pre-Selection finishes with a 4-hour psychological test.

Physical Requirements from other units

For General Fitness information and MsigWarrior Blog, click here
JakDo	Bundesheer
SEK	ZUZ	GSG 9
F.B.I.	S.W.A.T.	G.I.G.N.
G.I.S.	B.O.P.E.	U.E.I.
All other available units, click here

Selection Phase - Eko Cobra

Selection Phase lasts 6 months. Candidates are trained in various disciplines such as free climbing and rappelling, shooting, advanced driving, hand to hand combat (Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu). They are taught "Breathing Control", to combat stress. The highlight of Selection is the 20-hour "Belastungsmarathon" (Stress Marathon), where candidates will have to combine various skills with a little break in between events. They wake up at 5 am and will be running, diving, climbing, shoot, and perform land navigation.

Fitness Test Eko Cobra

Training - Eko Cobra

Eko Cobra Operators physically train about 7 - 10 hours a week. Those are only the hours trained on the job. Most Operators train also in their spare time. After selection, they can choose to become more specialized by joining a parachute, diving, sniper, or explosives specialist course. They have to perform on a physical fitness test every year. If they don't perform to standard, they will be kicked out of the unit.

Characteristics of an Eko-Cobra Operator

The perfect candidate must be mentally and physically in top shape, not once Selection begins, but once he shows up for pre-selection. He must be authentic, show and have perseverance, come with a strong fighting spirit, and possess the ability to work well in a team. He also cannot be a lone warrior, nor a Rambo type of personality.

Eko Cobra Fitness Test

Facts - Eko Cobra

So far, only three women have ever made it through Selection since the formation of Eko Cobra in 1978.

During the pre-selection interview, the candidates will be questioned for hours. One of the questions is: "Why do you want to become an Eko-Cobra Operator?". The psychologist wants to hear a sincere answer and is judging the candidates based on authenticity.

Every year, usually more than 150 candidates want to join the ranks of Eko Cobra. Only about 20 will be selected