Introduction and History

The Sniper has special abilities, training, and equipment. His job is to deliver discriminatory, highly accurate rifle fire against enemy targets which cannot be engaged successfully by the regular rifleman because of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or visibility. Sniping requires the development of basic infantry skills to a high degree of perfection. A Sniper's training incorporates a wide variety of subjects designed to increase his value as a force multiplier and to ensure his survival on the Battlefield. The art of Sniping requires learning and repetitiously practicing these skills until mastered. A Sniper must be highly trained in long range rifle marksmanship and field craft skills to ensure maximum effective engagements with minimum risk.

• The primary mission of a Sniper is to deliver precise long-range fire on selected targets, and targets of opportunity.
• The secondary mission of a Sniper is the collection of Battlefield information and reporting it to higher Head Quarters.

• MAJ. Hesketh Pritchard - Started the first British Sniper course called " The First Army School of Sniping, Observing, and Scouting."
• Germany - The Germans were the first to coin the phrase "Sniper" for military use.
• 1930 - Soviet Russia carefully integrated two man Sniper team tactics.
• 1955-1956 - The USA Marksmanship Training Unit conducted a centralized Sniper school using the 1903 Springfield A5.
• Jan. 1969-July 1969 - 1,250 reported KIA by US Snipers. The average Infantry soldier used 200,000 rounds per KIA compared to 1.3 for the Sniper.
• operates today.