Physical Fitness Requirements from the Italian Elite Police

G.I.S. Requisiti fisici

G.I.S. which stands for Gruppo di Intervento Speciale is a special force unit of Italy, considered military and police alike. Initially created as a police unit, G.I.S. is since 2003, a special force of Italy, similar to the GSG9 of Germany.

Motto: "Nei Secoli Fedele"
Translation "Faithful through the centuries"

Established in: "1978"

To join, one must be an Italian Citizen. All Selectees join Selection from the 1st Tuscania Regiment (Paratroopers) and need to have served for at least 2 years in that Unit. Candidates cannot be older than 33 years of age and have to have an excellent track record.

The physical requirements, "Requisiti fisici" are outlined below to enter the Paratroopers first. Beforehand, candidates will have to undergo medical examinations, psychometric tests, and interviews with GIS operators.

Chart Standards G.I.S.

#	Exercises	Pass	Good	Great	Gold
1.	Pushups	To pass one must perform 35 Pushups in 1 min
2.	Jump-Clap Pushups	You need to perform 10 Perfect ones
3.	Pullups	+ 6 reps	+ 11 reps	+ 13 reps	+ 15 reps
4.	Dips	+ 6 reps	+ 11 reps	+ 13 reps	+ 15 reps
5.	Abs	* + 35 reps	* + 45 reps	* + 50 reps	* + 60 reps
6.	High Jump	+ 120 Meter	+ 160 Meter	+ 170 Meter	+ 180 Meter
7.	1500 Meter Run	- 6:30 min	- 5:50 min	- 5:25 min	- 5:00 min
8.	Swim Test	Freestyle, Breaststroke, Floating

This test involves 8 different exercises, which can be required to be performed by all candidates in the listed order or a similar one. The jump-clap pushups are performed to showcase coordination and strength. The candidates need to at least score a combined score of 1,257, which means that a candidate needs to outperform the minimum standard required. Those candidates who cannot meet the minimum standard required, are automatically out of pre-selection. The Swim test consists of a 25-meter freestyle swim, 25-meter breaststroke, and 4 min of floating in the water. Again, it is important to be leading the pack. The staff wants candidates who don't need to be physically trained from scratch. Only 40 % of the candidates will make it through this phase.

Physical Requirements and Information from other units

For Other Italian Units, click below
Col Moschin	Comsubin
For Other International Units, click below
F.B.I.	S.W.A.T.	G.I.G.N.
G.S.G. 9	B.O.P.E.	U.E.I.
For General Fitness information and MsigWarrior Blog, click here
All other available units, click here

Paratrooper Course - GIS

The Paratrooper Course lasts 9 months. Candidates have to go through a parachuting Course, various marches and orienteering, first aid classes, hand to hand combat, breaking in, climbing and descending from various buildings. They also have to prove their will to survive in the wild. They will go through SERE school, will learn how to handle and shoot a variety of weapons, go through explosives training, and learn HUMINT techniques (Human Intelligence). Various other topics will be taught in this phase. Another high percentage of candidates will not make it through this phase.

G.I.S. Fitness Test Video

GIS Specialist Course

The Specialist course, which lasts 27 weeks, weeds out another percentage of elite candidates. In this course, candidates will be trained and tested in advanced shooting techniques. Candidates will be trained in advanced marksmanship. They will be trained in skiing techniques in Selva di Val Gardena and Aosta. They will be trained in defensive and offensive driving techniques, will be trained at the Navy Center in the element of water as an advantage for amphibious combat assaults. They will be tested on various occasions again, such as an apnea distance dive and deep dive test. Candidates will also learn Guerrilla and counter Guerilla tactics (ambushes and counter-ambushes). Candidates will also spend lots of time in classroom settings. They will learn about the history of terrorist ideology and archiving and studying the resolution of crises by special forces units around the world.

My Personal Experience with the G.I.S. Fitness Test

GIS Operator Characteristics

GIS Operators function extremely well in a team environment. They are extremely reliable and extremely stress-resistant. They are lucid, as well as highly intelligent.

Facts & Information - GIS

Since the creation of this unit, there has only been one operator who took off his Mephisto. He did so to be able to calm down a child. His name is Commander Alfa, who is the only link between the media and the unit. He also wrote several books about the unit, once retired.

The main objective of every G.I.S. Operator is to preserve life. Their training regime consists of daily exercises, but especially reactive exercises.