SNIPER SCHOOL UPDATE 1997

1. In an effort to pass on information about changes that affect the sniper world, the Infantry School Sniper Cell will publish a quick synopsis of all projects currently being worked on by the cell. This report will appear bi-annually and will cover topics such as equipment, courses, doctrine and tactics. Feedback on any topic is strongly encouraged and replies will be made to any queries received.

2. The Basic Sniper Course: This course has been in need of a thorough revision for several years. The production of a new Training Plan (TP) is a high priority within the cell and when released will eliminate the confusion surrounding the various interpretations of the current TP. Specifically, the issue of retesting candidates will be addressed. Some of the other major changes being considered are:

• A new PO designed to test the ability of the spotter;
• An increase in the amount of field firing time;
• implementation of a new field firing test;
• An increase in the amount of stalking, elimination of the points system, as well the implementation of a new checklist; and
• Reduction in time spent on observation exercises.

3. The Master Sniper Course: This course has also been reworked and will be ready for the course commencing 24 March of this year. New to the course are counter-sniper operations and exercises, advanced shooting, ballistics, night stalking against thermal imagery, pairs stalking, FIBUA operations, and tactical deployments where students will be sent on operations throughout the Gagetown Area. The duration of the course remains the same but the focus is now on operational deployments and advanced skills.

4. Sniper Employment Course: Also being studied at this time is where and how to implement sniper employment training for the officers and senior NCO’s who command organizations employing snipers. This is the one aspect of sniper training that has largely been ignored yet stands to yield the greatest results for the sniper corps. Two of the options being considered are adding lessons to the Advanced Reconnaissance Course or possibly the formation of a separate Sniper Employment Course similar to that conducted by the United States Marine Corps and the British Army. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages and it may well be a combination of the two that is required. Of equal importance it appears that a program must also be introduced within the sniper corps to distil the elitist attitude possessed by a number of personnel as to the role and importance of the sniper. The sniper is a potent weapon system that when properly employed can act as a tremendous force multiplier complementing the strengths of some systems and negating the weaknesses of others. This simple message basically states what the sniper is and does.

5. Sniper Competition: We are extremely excited that the Sniper Cell has received authorization to conduct the first Infantry School International Sniper Competition in May of 1997. This event will be a gruelling one week competition with invitations tendered to each of the Canadian Infantry Battalions, the Area Battle Schools, JTF-2, the RCMP, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Special Forces, and the British Sniper Instructors from the Sniper Division at Brecon, UK. Every event in the competition will be based upon an operational tasking and competitors must be prepared for stalking, navigation, concealment exercises, and unknown distance shooting by day and night. This is a team event and close cooperation between team members will be required if missions are to be successfully completed. Equipment demonstrations, foreign weapons firing, and distribution of the newly approved Sniper Aide Memoir and Sniping Publication 309(5) are some of the other activities planned. The team walking away with the trophy at the end is going to have to work to earn it.

6. Equipment Upgrades: New stocks have been ordered for the C3 rifles and should begin arriving before the summer of 1997. They are made of a synthetic resin and are produced by MacMillian Brothers Rifle Company in the United States. The Master Sniper cell managed to obtain them in the colour and style desired. In addition,it appears that the stocks will be properly bedded at a central location (yet to be determined) which was also a high priority. Once this is complete the C3 will consistently shoot half to three quarters of a minute of angle out to 600 meters and will no longer suffer from warped and cracked stocks as a result of inclement weather.

7. The life expectancy of the C3 rifles will be increased by the addition of the new stocks but replacement rifles will be required around the turn of the century. This is especially true now that Parker Hale is no longer available to provide parts. The life cycle manager in Ottawa has already contacted the Sniper Cell about possible requirements for a replacement and we have responded. The significant point is that we would like to pursue a calibre other than 7.62mm for whatever replacement is chosen. We have indicated that .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Winchester Magnum are two ideal choices and they are being considered. However, there will be not be a C3 replacement for several years.

8. Coupled with this is the quest to find a heavy calibre sniper rifle system (ie .50 cal) for the Infantry. A Statement of Requirement (SOR) was submitted by the Infantry School in April 1996 but as of this writing there has been no written comment or reaction from it. The engineers are pursuing the purchase of a .50 calibre rifle for use in explosive ordnance disposal and we have offered to assist them in any way possible. The exchange of information has been very productive and we are currently pursuing this issue from a new direction.

9. Ammunition: The 168 grain Boat Tailed Hollow Point Match round currently produced by Norma is an excellent cartridge that is very accurate and reliable. However, after much testing and research it has been discovered that this bullet looses stability past 800 meters and tends to tumble and wobble quite erratically. This is a matter of physics and there is nothing can be done to address this. What is of concern is that current doctrine states that snipers must be able to fire to 900 meters. This is under review and a change of some sort should be forthcoming. Commanders, however, must be made aware of this limitation.

10. Targetry: The sniper cell is currently in the process of acquiring specialized targetry which will increase our ability to effectively train snipers. Each target is constructed of a hardened steel plate and is reactive in nature; emitting a loud bong when hit. With reasonable care and maintenance each target should have a life expectancy in excess of five years. Once the initial batch of targetry is trialed during the sniper competition this spring the cell will attempt to get a set of targets manufactured and sent to each of the Area Battle Schools. It is anticipated that this targetry will double the number of field firing ranges that can be conducted in a given time period while simultaneously increasing their effectiveness. Cost at this time is less than a thousand dollars per set.

11. Conclusion: This brings to a close the initial edition of the sniper update. Please do not hesitate to verbally contact or E-mail the sniper cell with comments or questions on any of the topics discussed.

Matthew Sprague
Capt
OIC Sniper Cell