Commands soldier selection: New test relies on spirit and team spirit

Commands soldier selection: New test relies on spirit and team spirit

In the so-called Graf-Zeppelin barracks in Calw, west of Stuttgart, intensive selection processes for prospective command of the command of special forces (KSK) are currently underway. This selection process has changed significantly in recent years and is now not only focused on the physical but also on the intellectual skills of applicants.

a new approach for soldier training

The selection process includes a total of 30 demanding stations that aim to check the psychological resilience and the motor skills of the candidates. "We need soldiers who are not only physically fit, but also mentally strong and attentive," explains Brigadier Alexander Krone, who took over the management of the KSK. The test is designed in such a way that it is not only difficult, but also provides meaningful information about the suitability of applicants.

The challenges of the test

The first challenges include required speed runs over 1000 meters, in which the first applicants have to give up. "It was more strenuous when I thought," reports a lever who successfully passed the first stop. Additional stations check skill and decision -making dissolutions in stressful situations, including a melee station in which the trainees are tested under realistic conditions.

wanted: The silent professional

A central point of the new selection process is the image of the "silent professional", which is ready to withdraw behind the military orders. "Our weapon system is the four-man command troop," explains Lieutenant Andi, who heads the personnel recruitment of the KSK. Not only applicants are addressed, but also recruited them in a targeted manner if they have emerged through special achievements.

The way to the elite unit

The applicants are faced with a long and challenging path that requires the right attitude and teamwork beyond physical fitness. According to an experienced command soldier, care is increasingly being taken to ensure how well the applicants act in group work. "We are looking for innovative problem solvers who try to find solutions," said the instructor.

conclusion: a demanding selection process

One of the most important changes in the selection process is increased focus on psychological and character strengths. The KSK has recognized that the "berserker", who acts alone, no longer meets the requirements alone. Rather, the ability to cooperate and to find a solution is crucial for success in modern military missions.

The application rate is still challenging, with only 20 to 25 percent of applicants who successfully go through the selection process. This illustrates the high hurdle that each individual applicant has to overcome in order to be included in the elite unit. The aim remains to recruit soldiers who can exist in extreme situations - both physically and mentally.

- Nag