S.A.S.R. Physical Fitness Test

S.A.S.R., Special Air Service Regiment of Australia, also commonly called S.A.S. or Snake Eaters, is the Special Force Unit of Australia, tasked with Counterterrorism, Counterinsurgency, Long-range reconnaissance and Surveillance, Hostage Rescue, and more.


Motto: "Who Dares Wins"


Established in: "1957"


The S.A.S.R. has close ties with the British SAS and also conducts personnel exchange during training with other special forces from all around the globe.


To join the SASR, one must be of Australian Citizenship, or can also be from the UK or New Zealand. One must have spent at least 2 years in the Australian Army. One must be in top fitness shape. They also cannot be mentally weak at all. Candidates will be tested to the bone plenty of times during selection and after selection.

S.A.S.R. Workout
# Exercises Pass Good Great Gold
1. RDJ Course in less than 50 seconds
2. Pushups + 60 Reps + 80 Reps + 100 Reps + 120 Reps
3. Sit-Ups + 100 reps are needed to pass
4. Heaves a minimum of 10 are needed
5. 1.5 mile run 11:30 min 11:00 min 10:30 min 10:00 min
6. 400 M Swim 18:00 min 17:00 min 16:00 min 15:00 min
7. Tread Water for at least 2 minutes
8. Ruck March 2:20 Hours 2:10 Hours 2:00 Hours 1:50 Hours
S.A.S.R. Special Forces Screen Test

The test begins with an obstacle course called the Run/Dodge/Jump Course. The Heaves, also called pull-ups, can be performed in various ways. There is no predetermined way of performing them, only that the chin has to pass the bar and the arms end dead-hang after each rep. The pushups are cadence pushups. The 1.5-mile run is performed with an additional weight of 7 KG (15 lbs). The swim and the water exercise ("treading water") are performed in combat uniform. The Ruck March, also called "Endurance March" is a 15 KM March with 28 kg (62 lbs). Furthermore, candidates will be mentally tested. Candidates might also face a Beep test and a Yoyo test. Those candidates who pass the physical and mental tests will be invited into the 3-Week Selection Course, which will weed out about 75% of the candidates.

S.A.S.R. Selection

The 3 week-Selection Course is very demanding. Candidates will undergo various mentally challenging interviews, have to write a motivational paper of why they are there, and so on. The cadre wants to understand the individual before breaking them down with various navigation exercises, ruck marches, lots of calisthenics and then also sleep deprivation and food deprivation to make sure they get rid of those soldiers, who are not able to stay calm and handle this extreme pressure. Candidates will go through a 20 KM March - 20 K Slider (Half-Marathon), which has to be accomplished within 3 hours and 15 minutes. If the candidate does not make it they get another try, if they fail again, they are out. They go through a Solo Navigation Course. They go through Happy Wanderer Phase where they have to ruck 50 KG (110 lbs) for 5 days throughout the rugged mountain region, where they will accumulate over 150 KM in distance. If you chose to quit, you will never be allowed back onto the course.

S.A.S. Fitness Test Video
Training SASR Operator

The training phase lasts 16 months. Candidates will go through various training courses. They will go through combat survival training, marksmanship, parachuting, demolitions, urban combat, and method of entry. They will then go through the Close Quarter Battle (CQB) training indoors and outdoors.


10 Attributes of an SASR Operator:
1. Mentally tough
2. Quick thinking
3. Innovative
4. Calm under pressure
5. Someone who can handle adversity
6. Self-confidence
7. Trust in your abilities
8. Patient
9. Humble
10. Respectful of other cultures, while being in extremely hostile and dangerous situations

S.A.S.R. Workout
More information SASR

Previous records set by past participants were 124 Cadence Pushups, and the 400 meters swim test in 6 min. They also were tested previously having to ruck run 5 KM with 40 KG and the record was 41 minutes. Candidates were also previously tested in vertical jumps, agility tests, and a flexibility test.


One SASR Soldier quote: "Your men are important, but the mission is more important". Another one is: "We want a soldier that puts himself last, his team, his mates first, and the mission first, his comfort comes last".


Candidates who more likely will make it through Selection are those who: "Enjoy being pushed above limits and keep on going"