Z.U.Z. Physical Fitness Test

Image by Andreas Trojak

The Z.U.Z., Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll are the special forces of the German Customs. Not too many of their missions or Situations are known to the German Public. They can technically see action not only in Germany but also in Europe and outside of Europe. They are the counterpart of the GSG9 and the SEK in Germany.


Established in: "1997"


To join this unit, one cannot be older than 35 years old. The candidate needs to have completed a Zollausbildung and have gathered professional work experience at the Zoll (Customs).


The pre-selection process lasts 14 days. It is followed by another selection course, called Basisfortbildung, which lasts 10 weeks. Then, the lasting candidates will go through the same formation as SEK-Beamte. Usually, 80% of Candidates will not make it. Therefore only 1 out of 5 people will make it into the unit. The candidate does not need to have shooting skills, as this would be a requirement for other units. During future training, the candidate will be trained to become great shooters, however.

Chart Standards Z.U.Z.
# Exercises Pass Good Great Gold
1 200 Meter Swim - 5:00 min - 4:00 min - 3:30 min - 3:00 min
2 Suicides -10,10 sec -9,60 sec -9,30 sec -9,00 sec
3 5000 meter run -25:30 min -22:15 min -21:00 min -20:00 min
4 Jump and Reach + 40 cm + 47 cm + 55 cm + 60 cm
5 Chair-Stepping +65x in 3 min +125x in 5 min +135x in 5 min +140x in 5 min
6 Obstacle Course - 3:40 min - 3:30 min - 3:20 min - 3:10 min
7 Handiness Course -40,00 sec -39,00 sec -38,00 sec -37,00 sec
8 Benchpress x10 60% 75% 90% 100%
9 Pullups + 5 reps + 9 reps + 13 reps + 17 reps

The pre-selection process lasts two weeks. During the first week, the candidates will be psychologically tested, their concentration skills will be analyzed, their personality profile will be created and the candidate's team player abilities will be sorted out. Every training class will have the dummy to carry on everywhere, whether they are going to eat or train, "Lotar" as they call the dummy, goes with them everywhere. If they forget the dummy, they will be punished with physical workouts or other chores. They will also undergo medical testing. During week 2, the candidates will go through the Physical Fitness Tests. One one day, candidates will run 5000 meters, then the candidates find themselves the next day in the gym, where they have to push themselves beyond breaking point in terms of conditioning. Besides the physical fitness exams, the recruit's fear of heights will be tested. They have to climb a Pompier ladder on the back and once 100 feet (30 meters) is reached, they just have to let go.

Physical Requirements - Other Units
All other available units, click here
G.S.G.9 G.I.G.N. G.I.S.
S.E.K. B.O.P.E. Snow Leopard
F.B.I. Eko Cobra G.E.O.
U.E.I. S.R.T. B.O.A.
G.O.P.E. T.O.E. S.T.P.
For MsigWarrior Blog, click here

Zoll Basisfortbildung

In the next phase, during the 10 weeks Zollausbildung, the candidates will be trained to become efficient shooters, climbers, and all-around athletes. Furthermore, they have to handle an obstacle course (Bahn der Selbsterfahrung) several times. They are trained in Wing Chun (Wing Tsun). To graduate from this course, candidates will be again thoroughly tested to be allowed to the next phase. A lot of time will be also spent in the water. The recruits that are left are to bond as a team and will perform various groups and single activities in the swimming pool.

Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll Fitness Test Video
Einführungsfortbildung SEK

During the next phase, those who made it so far will be merged with a SEK training class from NRW Germany. Together they will be trained in close-quarter combat tactics and various scenarios. This phase will last about 30 weeks. Those who make it through will be considered employment (and combat) ready. Furthermore, they will learn how to enter planes, buses, and trains; how to clear a building; how to handle any type of weapon such as rifles, pistols, tasers,etc.. and how to successfully stop and arrest drivers through various methods.

Characteristics of a ZUZ-Beamte

The perfect candidate will bring various characteristics to the selection course, and some will be learned throughout the selection. The most important trait of every Beamte is das Durchhaltevermögen, which translates to the power to endure. Candidates will be physically and mentally conditioned to further overcome many obstacles. Other important traits are Courage and Team player capabilities.

Z.U.Z. Entry Test Workout
Facts about Z.U.Z.

They are not as known as G.S.G. 9 or the various S.E.K. units, because they do not dress differently than most S.E.K units. They wear "Polizei" instead of Zoll on their gear to ensure that no confusion is created when they arrest someone.

Polizei

S.E.K.

G.S.G.9

G.I.G.N.