USMC requirements

These requirements were copied from the USMC Scout/Sniper 2/23 site with their permission. Check the links page for their WEB site.

Minimum Requirements: Male, volunteer, 0300-Infantry MOS, E2 - E7(No officers), expert rifleman, having a second class or higher swim qualification, a first-class score on their Physical Fitness Test (PFT), eye sight correctable to 20/20, not color blind, no office hours or Non-Judicial Punishments within 6 months, qualify for a secret security clearance, and posses a GT score of 110 or higher.

Marine Corps PFT:For a perfect score: 3 mile run in 18 minutes, 20 deadhang pull-ups(No Swinging), 100 sit-ups under two minutes.

Swim Qual: 500 meter swim using side or breast stroke, 50 meter swim holding a weight out of water, tread water for 30 seconds holding a weight out of water, no signs of panic.

Two of the better ways of becoming a Scout/Sniper are through a Recon unit or an Infantry Battalion. First join the Marine Corps with an Infantry MOS. While in Boot Camp you will need to shoot Expert on the rifle range, become at least a second class swimmer and score a high first class PFT. Upon completion of Infantry training you will be given the opportunity to volunteer for Recon or Force Recon. If you successfully complete their indoc you will be sent to a Recon unit where you will first qualify as a Recon Marine then given the opportunity to volunteer for Scout/Sniper School. BN Recon and Force Recon have school seats assigned to them for every S/S School.
The other way is to be sent to an Infantry Battalion and then volunteer for the Scout/Sniper Platoon. The S/S Plt runs indocs annually and pulls in personnel from the BN.
Each Sniper unit runs its own version of the indoc but they are all extremely difficult. Once in the unit you will go through all the training to become a sniper before ever going to S/S School. Once at the school you will be expected to have all the basic knowledge of a Scout/Sniper and the advanced knowledge of an infantry Marine. You will show up with everything that you will need to make it through the school including your ghillie suit. There are no second chances at the school and drops are a daily occurrence.
Marine Snipers are generally regarded as the best snipers in the world. There is a reason for that!