One shot...one kill Snipers take aim to improve skills
USMC News
Story Identification Number: 2003416191624
Story by Sgt. Daniel L. Patterson
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan(April 14, 2003) -- The legendary Marine scout sniper is known for his ability to hit his target from long range with one shot. He must also be able to perform operations in any environment.
To ensure this, the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Section, Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force is currently teaching the Maritime Special Purpose Force Urban Sniper Course.
"The course teaches scout snipers to hone their basic skills and use those skills in an urban environment," said Sgt. Justin N. Olson, advanced marksmanship and reconnaissance and surveillance instructor.
Although the course mainly teaches snipers deploying with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, it also teaches snipers from other units within 3rd Marine Division when an open class seat is available.
The class is limited to 14 snipers per course.
"We teach approximately two courses a year and try to train as many scout snipers as we can," said Staff Sgt. Martin P. Williams, another advanced marksmanship and reconnaissance and surveillance instructor.
It focuses on different aspects of training such as operations other than war, multiple target engagement and precision shooting.
"Every sniper should attend this course because we focus on shooting closer targets with better precision," Olson revealed.
During the course, scout snipers shoot at three-dimensional targets, estimate the range of targets within 5 percent of actual distance, and engage targets during the day and at night.
The snipers fire a wide range of weapons throughout the course. They use the M40-A1 sniper rifle, M40-A3 sniper rifle, M82-A3 .50-caliber special application scoped rifle, M4-A1 carbine, M9 pistol and M16-A2 service rifle.
Although the Marines have fired these weapons many times, there is always something new to learn.
"We don't teach the basic skills, we take those basic skills and make them better," Olson commented.
The course also teaches the snipers how to build urban 'hides' (using anything in an urban environment to hide from the enemy), how to set up sniper platforms in Marine Corps helicopters, and how to perform combat techniques with the pistol and rifle.
As with any military occupational specialty, snipers venture to better themselves with training.
"It benefits the individual, the unit and the Marine Corps when Marines better themselves in their (military occupational specialty)," Williams explained.
It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to be a sniper, Olson revealed.
"If you are in the infantry field and want a challenge, seek out your scout sniper platoon sergeant," Williams concluded.
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