Physical Fitness Requirements from the Marsof Netherlands

N.L. M.A.R.S.O.F. Physical Fitness Test

MARSOF, Maritime Special Operations Forces of Netherlands, the other elite unit next to KCT (Korps Commandotroepen), is the Maritime Special Forces of Netherlands, comparable to the Navy Seals of the U.S, comparable to the Kampfschwimmer of Germany and comparable to the Commando Marine of France.

They are highly trained in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and many more and can be activated domestically.

Established in: "1972"

Motto: Nec Timide, Nec Tumide
Translation: Now or Never

To join MARSOF, one must come from the ranks of the Marine Corps of the Netherlands. You cannot join from the street, nor any other departments of the military of the Netherlands. You have to come with a clean track record. Only the best will be chosen for Pre-Selection.

Netherlands MARSOF Workout

#	Exercises	Pass	Good	Great	Gold
1.	Cooper Test	2800 Meter	3000 Meter	3100 Meter	3200 Meter
2.	Pushups	+ 40 reps	+ 50 reps	+ 55 reps	+ 60 reps
3.	Sit-Ups	+ 60 reps	+ 70 reps	+ 75 reps	+ 80 reps
4.	Squats	+ 50 reps	+ 60 reps	+ 70 reps	+ 80 reps
5.	Pullups	+ 8 reps	+ 12 reps	+ 15 reps	+ 18 reps

Selection Physical Test MARSOF

The MARSOF condition test consists of 5 different exercises that are closely followed to each other. The candidates are tested in the first week of pre-selection. It starts with a Cooper test, followed by pushups, sit-ups, squats, and pullups each with a time limit of 2 minutes. The first week of the unit is filled with physical requirements. Highlighted here are the passing requirements. The passing requirements will give you a chance, but won't promise you anything during selection. Strive to crush these numbers.

Physical Requirements - Other Units

All other available units, click here
KCT	S.A.S.	S.A.S.R.
KSK	Seal Team Six	JakDo
GRUMEC	Delta Force	Sayeret Matkal
Para SF	JW Grom	Bordo Bereliler
MARSOC	JW Formoza	Kampfschwimmer
JTF2	CSOR	Navy Seals
NZ SAS	PJs	Army Rangers
G.S.O.F.	C.T.O.E.	Alpha Spetsnaz
A.R.D.	F.G.N.E.	GRU Spetsnaz
Col Moschin	Frogman Corps	Commando Marine
For MsigWarrior Blog, click here

MARSOF - Selection Course

Further testings are done in the phase called Aptitude: a 10 KM run within 45 minutes, a 10 KM Ruck run with approximately 20 KG within 60 minutes. It is to note that if you perform less good on the run, you can make it up by a better ruck. The time for both cannot surpass 105 minutes. There is also a 2 K swim, 10 K Kayaking, and a climbing course. Those tests are carried out in week 1 of the 3-week pre-selection course. This will all be intensified in the following weeks. Candidates now will have to carry out night and day land navigation rucks, sometimes up to 30 KM with 35KG of Gear. They will have to pass certain theory tests and will be tested on a 4 KM Swim and a 20 KM Kayaking. Candidates will be sleep-deprived and tested to their core. The cadre is not known to provide feedback during this period. Candidates will be cold and wet, feel miserable, and will be completely exhausted. This is important to test the psyche of the candidates. If the candidate fails one phase or exercise, this might mean that their chances for selection are gone, and they will have to leave Selection.

MARSOF Fitness Test Video

MARSOF - Basic Training

Basic Training Phase, or also called MSOF Course, teaches the recruit various skills on how to be a good operator. This phase lasts about 20 weeks. They will learn how to overcome the fear of heights, go through beach reconnaissance and amphibious training, fast rappelling from a helicopter, go through specialized training for various combat scenarios. After those 20 weeks, the candidates will now go into the next phase called NIO Training Phase (Nationale Interventie Opleiding), which lasts another 14 weeks. This is the phase were candidates are specialized in counterterrorism training. Besides spending a lot of time shooting and tactics training, candidates will also be trained in breaching and IED training. Their training ends with a final aptitude test, where all skills learned have to be put together during a final exercise. Once the candidates pass the final exercise, they will then be official MARSOF Operators.

Netherlands MARSOF Test

MARSOF Specialization

Team members will then join one of the Squadrons. They can then also decide, if suitable, join Selection to become a Dutch Frogman. They will then again go through 24 weeks of training, which ends with a 10 K Swim with equipment and a 100 KM Kayaking, with several deep-dive tests in between.

Characteristics of MARSOF

Self-reliance and Self Discipline are attributes of a candidate who has good chances to make it through Selection. The successful candidate is usually very mature. They need to be able to think outside of the box under time pressure, and have to be able to adapt to any situation. Marsof Operators need to be able to make the right decisions at the right time, need to act responsibly, be reliable, demonstrate togetherness and safety awareness, and most importantly, be loyal.