Sniper School-Qualification

[Wayzatafootball]

Who goes to sniper school Naoscaire? I was watching the discovery channel and was learning about snipers but they didn't really answer a whole lot of my questions. Who goes? Rangers? SF Operators? What's it like? On the show the instructors didn't seem as intense as Ranger Instructors or Drill Seargants, but I'm not a BTDT so I'm asking you. What happens after qualification? If the Ranger passes does he go back and serve with the Rangers? Does he serve with the Special Forces? Is there a whole Sniper Regiment? If he serves with the Rangers or SF does he have to pass Ranger School or RIP do serve as a sniper with them?
Thanks for your time!

[Mac679]

Who goes?


3 MOS are authorized to attend US Army Sniper School-11B, Infantryman; 19D, Cav Scout; and CMF 18-all SF MOSs




What's it like?


From what I understand ( found out a little while ago I get my shot later this year ) that it's somewhat laid back but the coursework is very intense and stressful. The curriculum itself is selective enough.



What happens after qualification?


Depends on the unit/type of unit the Sniper is assigned to. In a light infantry unit or Ranger Bn, they would most likely go back to the sniper plt or sniper section of the unit Scout Plt ( since these are usually a selective bunch and a soldier proves himself there and gets OJT prior to the school ). In a mech unit, the sniper goes back to his company and most likely takes over the role of company sniper, and in SF the sniper would most likely go back to his ODA



Is there a whole Sniper Regiment?

It would defeat the purpose of the profession

[naoscaire]

Who goes to sniper school


Sniper wannabes :D

Who goes? Rangers? SF Operators?

This would be better left to longrange but I will give my input and maybe even learn something myself.
It depends what branch you are already in, USMC has the Scout Sniper school and Army has the US Army Sniper school and SOTIC

The latest US Army selection requirments that I know of are (these may be outdated)

Candidates for sniper training require careful screening. Commanders must screen the individual's records for potential aptitude as a sniper. The rigorous training program and the increased personal risk in combat require high motivation and the ability to learn a variety of skills. Aspiring snipers must have an excellent personal record.

a. The basic guidelines used to screen sniper candidates are as follows:

(1) Marksmanship. The sniper trainee must be an expert marksman. Repeated annual qualification as expert is necessary. Successful participation in the annual competition-in-arms program and an extensive hunting background also indicate good sniper potential.

(2) Physical condition. The sniper, often employed in extended operations with little sleep, food, or water, must be in outstanding physical condition. Good health means better reflexes, better muscular control, and greater stamina. The self-confidence and control that come from athletics, especially team sports, are definite assets to a sniper trainee.

(3) Vision. Eyesight is the sniper's prime tool. Therefore, a sniper must have 20/20 vision or vision correctable to 20/20. However, wearing glasses could become a liability if glasses are lost or damaged. Color blindness is also considered a liability to the sniper, due to his inability to detect concealed targets that blend in with the natural surroundings.

(4) Smoking. The sniper should not be a smoker or use smokeless tobacco. Smoke or an unsuppressed smoker's cough can betray the sniper's position. Even though a sniper may not smoke or use smokeless tobacco on a mission, his refrainment may cause nervousness and irritation, which lowers his efficiency.

(5) Mental condition. When commanders screen sniper candidates, they should look for traits that indicate the candidate has the right qualities to be a sniper. The commander must determine if the candidate will pull the trigger at the right time and place. Some traits to look for are reliability, initiative, loyalty, discipline, and emotional stability. A psychological evaluation of the candidate can aid the commander in the selection process.

(6) Intelligence. A sniper's duties require a wide variety of skills. He must learn the following:

Ballistics.
Ammunition types and capabilities.
Adjustment of optical devices.
Radio operation and procedures.
Observation and adjustment of mortar and artillery fire.
Land navigation skills.
Military intelligence collecting and reporting.
Identification of threat uniforms and equipment.
b. In sniper team operations involving prolonged independent employment, the sniper must be self-reliant, display good judgment and common sense. This requires two other important qualifications: emotional balance and field craft.

(1) Emotional balance. The sniper must be able to calmly and deliberately kill targets that may not pose an immediate threat to him. It is much easier to kill in self-defense or in the defense of others than it is to kill without apparent provocation. The sniper must not be susceptible to emotions such as anxiety or remorse. Candidates whose motivation toward sniper training rests mainly in the desire for prestige may not be capable of the cold rationality that the sniper's job requires.

(2) Field craft. The sniper must be familiar with and comfortable in a field environment. An extensive background in the outdoors and knowledge of natural occurrences in the outdoors will assist the sniper in many of his tasks. Individuals with such a background will often have great potential as a sniper.

c. Commander involvement in personnel selection is critical. To ensure his candidate's successful completion of sniper training and contribution of his talents to his unit's mission, the commander ensures that the sniper candidate meets the following prerequisites before attending the US Army Sniper School:

Male.
PFC to SFC (waiverable for MSG and above).
Active duty or ARNG and USAR.
Good performance record.
No history of alcohol or drug abuse.
A volunteer (with commander recommendation).
Vision of 20/20 or correctable to 20/20.
No record of disciplinary action.
Expert marksman with M16A1 or M16A2 rifle.
Minimum of one-year retrainability.
Career management field 11.
Pass APFT (70 percent, each event).




On the show the instructors didn't seem as intense as Ranger Instructors or Drill Seargants,

They dont have to be, they are not working with raw material because the student is already a highly disciplined soldiar. The course itself can be pretty intense

What happens after qualification? If the Ranger passes does he go back and serve with the Rangers?

A ranger would be returned to a Ranger unit and An SF Operator would normally be returned to his team. It would also depend on where he is needed most.


If he serves with the Rangers or SF does he have to pass Ranger School or RIP do serve as a sniper with them?

Yes snipeing is an addition not a replacement. However I BELIEVE that if needs be a sniper from an Sniper platoon can be attached to a Ranger / S.F team but this would not make him a Ranger/Operator... Longrange can eleborate on if that is correct



Thanks for your time!

No prob, hope it helps some
-Naos

[Mac679]

Yes snipeing is an addition not a replacement. However I BELIEVE that if needs be a sniper from an Sniper platoon can be attached to a Ranger / S.F team but this would not make him a Ranger/Operator... Longrange can eleborate on if that is correct


75th Ranger Regiment has it's own snipers, as does SF


What happens after qualification? If the Ranger passes does he go back and serve with the Rangers?

A ranger would be returned to a Ranger unit and An SF Operator would normally be returned to his team. It would also depend on where he is needed most.
[/QUOTED]

If I may add to this, Sniper School is a TDY and return school meaning you go there and come back to your parent unit regardless of pass or fail. You go there to learn skills to enhance your unit's abilities to gather intelligence and conduct combat operations. It is not a secret squirrel school that will send you to some unnamed unit. You go back to your parent unit, unless it's attended while conducting a permanent change of station.


It depends what branch you are already in, USMC has the Scout Sniper school and Army has the US Army Sniper school and SOTIC

for the requirements for USMC Scout Sniper check http://www.marinescoutsniper.com
I listed the MOS requirements for Benning earlier and if I'm not mistaken ( longrange, correct me if I'm wrong ) SOTIC is open to SF, Rangers, and SEALs

Hope it helps,
Mac

[Wayzatafootball]

The self-confidence and control that come from athletics, especially team sports, are definite assets to a sniper trainee.

So you're saying that me being in football and track is an asset, yaaay.

(2) Field craft. The sniper must be familiar with and comfortable in a field environment. An extensive background in the outdoors and knowledge of natural occurrences in the outdoors will assist the sniper in many of his tasks. Individuals with such a background will often have great potential as a sniper.

What kind of natural occurances do you mean? I'm a pretty big outdoors man, I've done camping and hiking and the such, I find it very fun and relaxing to get away from the cities. Do any of you BTDT's do that kinda stuff?
Thanks!

[longrange1947]

Who goes to sniper school

At SOTIC anyone assigned to an ODA in the 18 series, however only E6 18b and 18C is authorized the W3 identifier. That said, if you apply for the identifier after graduation, most of the tiem youwill be awarded it. Other personnel include Rangers assigned to the Ranger Regt., Air Force pesonnel assigned to AFSOF, Navy SEALs, and "selected DOD personnel". Requirements are the above plus score expert in the past year with the currently issued M4. Have a completed physical. Not have any record of displinary action in the current enlistment, nor ahve any action that would disqualify you according to the Lautenburg Act. No history of drug or alcohol abuse in this enlistment. Must have passed the height weight standards. Must have passed the psych exam and the MMPI. Discriminators but not disqualifiers are, glasses but you must be correctable to 20/20, smoking, coffee to excess, and color blindness.

Prefered personnel is well outlined above in the previous posts.

Also, as stated you will return to your normal previous assignment as they are the ones that sent you, unless you are tdy in route to a new assignment. That assigment will usually require SOTIC as a pre-requisite, thus failing the course will nullify the assigment in some cases.



the instructors didn't seem as intense as Ranger Instructors or Drill Seargants

The studetns in our course are usually NCOs and some officers. They have already passed the harrassment stage of training and are learning a new skill. SOTIC is considered a gentlemens course and we do not need to stress the student as they are quite good at stressing themselves. The act of hitting a target with a three second exposure that will be exposed anywhere over a 7 meter front will stress the shooter while computing leads and wind effect on a mover will stress the observer as the front for the mover is only 10 meters. The instructors only have to set back and correct, not harrass.


Is there a whole Sniper Regiment?

No, there is a sniper section in the Rangers and in SF we have them assigned down to team level.

Hope this helps.

This is ht efirst time I had come into the Ranger section. As a non-ranger qual individual I did not feel qualified to comment in here. Guess I will visit now. :)

[longrange1947]

What kind of natural occurances do you mean?

Being awre of the natural sounds and "feel" of your surrondings. Knowing insticntively when something changes. The change in pitch of crikets, birds beoming chattery or going quiet, the change in the animal movements in your area, the change in a shadow by a tree for no reason. The biggest aid is hunting deer and the like on the stalk. sitting in a tree stand is one thing but to stalk the animal requires all of your senses to be attuned. The shift in wind could ruin a stalk if not countered or anticipated.

Camping and hiking will help but if you are going out there to get away then not much. You have to go out therre to observe and become acclimated to the sounds and shifts in nature. Not just the animals but insects, wind, and the "feel" of the area. The feel is hard to describe and impossible to teach. However in the bush you will start to gain that feel and each person is attuned to it more or less then the next.

Good luck with your pursuits but remember, being a sniper is long periods of observation and then MAYBE a shot. It is not all glamour nor is it movie like.

[ktek01]

Just to address a few points Mac made in his post about Light Infantry and Mech units. My information is a little dated and may have changed, but I doubt by much. We didnt have snipers in my Mech unit back in 85-87. The XM-21s arrived at my Light unit sometime in 88, 2 per company. They selected and sent 2 people per company to sniper school, both were Staff Sergeants. They returned to their old position with the added duty of sniper. In Light and Mech units they would actually serve in the role of Sharpshooter more often than the true Sniper role.

[18C3V]

Good info longrange.

[Wayzatafootball]

You have to go out therre to observe and become acclimated to the sounds and shifts in nature.

So what you're saying is it wouldn't hurt to head out to the woods and sit there for awhile getting in tune with the things around me. I'm used to walking around the woods at night by myself, I'm not as good as a sniper or any spec. ops. soldier, but sometimes you get that feeling that something isn't right. I've got that on a couple camping trips when I was by myself in the woods at night, you probably know. When things don't feel like they're right. Like I'm not as good as you guys, but I know most of the animals around me, and when one goes silent I know.


being a sniper is long periods of observation and then MAYBE a shot. It is not all glamour nor is it movie like.

I don't care about glamor, I wouldn't want to be part of a team-based, silent, proffesion like spec. ops. if I did want glamor. I'm no BTDT but just talking to you guys on this I can tell that none of you are glory seekers or gloaters, you guys let your actions speak for you instead of running your mouth like certain wide recievers in the NFL (or on my team for that matter) and I think the rest of us really respect you guys for that.
By the way did you like the movie sniper with Tom Berenger? I thought some parts were faky, but it's gotta be better than sitting around playing "teaparty."

[Wayzatafootball]

I've got that on a couple camping trips when I was by myself in the woods at night, you probably know. When things don't feel like they're right.

LOL, all those times that happened I found out there was a big 'ol black bear next to me. But I lived! :D