Physical Fitness Requirements from the German SEK

S.E.K. Physical Fitness Test

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Spezialeinsatzkommandos exist in most federal states in Germany. In contrast to GSG9, which is the elite police of Germany, S.E.K. usually focuses its tasks on crimes within the country. They are trained to fight terrorism, hostage rescue situations, and raids. They can be compared to the various S.W.A.T. Teams present in the U.S.

To be considered for the job, one must be already an active police officer and have some years of police-related work experience under their belt. Depending on the federal state, the age cut off is between 32 and 36. Usually, SEK-Beamte (Officers) won't be able to stay in this unit above the age of 45. They will usually join a different unit and some might retire. According to a documentary, SEK Police Officers can be physically compared as fit as some winners in the Olympics.

Motto: "Nur die Besten kommen Durch!"
Translation (Only the best will make it)

Established in: "1974"

Chart Standards S.E.K.

#	Exercises	Pass	Good	Great	Gold
1	100m Sprint	- 13.5 sec	- 13.0 sec	- 12.5 sec	- 12.0 sec
	4x25 m Suicides	- 22.0 sec	- 21.0 sec	- 20.0 sec	- 19.0 sec
2	3000 M Run	-12:30 min	-12:00 min	-11:30 min	-11:00 min
3	Long Jump	+ 450 cm	+ 500 cm	+ 550 cm	+ 600 cm
4	Benchpress 75%	+ 5 reps	+ 8 reps	+ 11 reps	+ 14 reps
5	Pullups	+ 10 reps	+ 15 reps	+ 20 reps	+ 23 reps
6	Chair Stepping	+ 115 reps	+ 120 reps	+ 125 reps	+ 130 reps
7	200 M Swim	- 4:30 min	- 4:00 min	- 3:30 min	- 3:00 min

The physical requirements vary from federal state to federal state. This is a mixture of some of the tests from the S.E.K. Berlin, S.E.K. NRW, and S.E.K. Bavaria. Every unit usually also has developed its parkour that needs to be successfully maneuvered in order to be allowed to further testing events. The chair-stepping exercise has to be performed within 5 minutes. Some other units in Germany might include Rope climbing, and Boxing withing the Physical Fitness Test. Those candidates that make it through the Physical Fitness Test, will be further tested through psychological tests and also personal interviews. The candidates shooting skills will also be evaluated, as the candidates are already seasoned police officers. The committee wants to ensure that only the right candidates are selected for the next phase. The next phase is called Basislehrgang.

Physical Requirements - Other Units

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Selection Phase - Basislehrgang S.E.K.

Only a handful of candidates will make it through the hard Selection phase. The candidates will be trained to the extreme. They will endure hours of calisthenics, hours of martial arts, hours of tactical training, shooting training, law studies, rope climbing, rope rappel, further interviews, and role-plays. Furthermore, candidates will have to endure 2x Belastungswochen during the 6 months of training. It is known that candidates will have to walk 56 KM during the night to make it from one city to another. Once they arrive at their destination, their shooting skills will be tested. They then have to walk back to their sleeping area 12 km away. One interesting exercise that candidates have to endure over and over again is "Treppenlaufen". Candidates have to walk up and down 4 flights of stairs for 2 hours without any break. Every day you are either running or swimming or both.

S.E.K. Fitness Test Video

7 Attributes of a S.E.K. Operator:

1. Highly conditioned in physical abilities
2. Strong Character
3. Social Competence and Social Intelligence
4. Good Decision Making
5. High Natural Stress-Resistance
6. Team player
7. Physical and Mental Resilience

S.E.K. Fitness Test Workout

Sport in the S.E.K.

Sport is not only used to turn the S.E.K. Beamte into a well-versed athlete. Furthermore, it is also a way of testing mental toughness. Will the Officer give up, just because his whole body is aching and his feet are giving up on him? Will the Officer be able to hit the target after a long-distance run or various sessions of Krav Maga, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, or Kickboxing?

S.E.K. - Facts

The officers undergo further specialized training. Every officer has a further specialization, which he needs to devote time to by visiting further lectures and courses. Else the officer will be kicked off the unit.

After making it through selection, the candidates have to endure another 6 months of a probationary period, before being fully considered a S.E.K. member.