The term “Sniper” became popular during WWI and the mystic appeal has grown since. A single shot can be more devastating than a burst from a machine gun or artillery fire. ATP 3-21.20 Infantry Battalion describes the sniper squad as the most tactically and technically proficient Infantry soldiers. They are especially valuable when fighting an enemy that tries to blend in with the local population. Snipers are most effective when leaders in the supported unit understand sniper teams’ capabilities, limitations, and tactical employment. Unfortunately, many leaders don’t fully understand the benefits of using snipers to their fullest potential. But this isn’t just the fault of commanders…we – the sniper squad leaders and community – own some of that blame.
“Nothing chills the blood of a soldier on the battlefield more than the crack of a rifle shot and the cry of “SNIPER!” A skilled sniper can stop even the largest units in their tracks with a few well-aimed shots that take out key personnel such as scouts or officers, seriously damaging the enemy’s morale.” -Michael E. Haskew, The Sniper at War
It is our fault too when a commander fails to employ us, the snipers, properly. The sniper squad leader is the expert on all sniper-related issues to include employment. An inherent role of the sniper squad leader, which is often the Sniper Employment Officer, is to advise the commander with courses of action, limitations and capabilities, and other tactical considerations.
The phrase “Find, fix, and finish the enemy” is often preached within the Infantry community. As a member of forward reconnaissance operations, snipers are more likely to make contact with the enemy. There are several methods for conducting this through doctrine, but finding the enemy is step one. Snipers can then “fix” the enemy by one of two options: block escape or reinforcement routes or attack to fix until the finishing unit arrives. A single shot from a sniper will immobilize a unit for an unforeseen time, or the sniper can communicate indirect fires. Both have highly degrading effects on the enemy, physically and psychologically. This leads to “finish the enemy” by massing combat power to facilitate the enemy’s destruction.
Russia has emphasized training and equipping its snipers by giving them the ability to deliver precision long-range direct fire and devastating indirect fires. Russian snipers can keep adequate standoff and help protect their forces along with air defense artillery and electronic warfare. Russian sniper teams are comparable to the US Army’s modern-day sniper. The equipment used is similar to the US Army’s night vision, thermals systems, and advanced weaponry. The Russian Army has taken a play from the US Army handbook and is modernizing it rapidly. The US Army no longer needs to worry about a near-peer threat as we have already entered a peer-on-peer realm.
While reconnaissance elements are often used for screen or guard operations, snipers can be employed in direct fire engagement within a support-by-fire. An M240B machine gun on a tripod will have a shift or lift fire criteria of 15 degrees. Thus, a sniper can effectively engage targets up to one milliradian. (There are 17.4 milliradians in one degree). Suppose leaders aren’t employing their snipers. At a minimum, leaders should embed them with a support-by-fire position to supply precision fires on the enemy as friendly elements advance towards an objective. There are several other tasks that sniper teams can execute during offensive and defensive operations that can give a commander the tactical advantage. If commanders don’t employ their snipers during every phase of an operation, then they are wasting a valuable asset.
Figure 1. Russian target acquisition cycle
The Army has recognized a critical gap in sniper manning and its high turnover rate of snipers in the force. In addition, snipers are vastly understrength for various reasons. As a result, leaders don’t credit the role of their snipers with all the benefits they provide. Most sniper sections train newer snipers for up to a year before sending them to the Sniper Course. This is a huge mistake that most units make. Soldiers should go to the Sniper Course after selection, to maximize the little time they have. Sniper tactics, technologies, and methods constantly evolve, and most units do not keep up with the pace. The Sniper Course is currently seven weeks, and students graduate to support large-scale, ground combat operations. It would seem a waste to graduate a soldier with such an investment only to transfer to a rifle company after returning.
Figure 2. Russian Spetsnaz embedded with a support-by-fire position.
Much talk from the sniper community is to create a military occupational specialty (MOS), 11S, for example. The USMC has tried to make a similar MOS within their ranks. The Reconnaissance Sniper Course (RSC), MOS 0315, was created because too many Marines are “washing out” of the Scout Sniper Course and contributing to Marine Corp’s critical gap. RSC combines the Basic Reconnaissance Course and the Scout Sniper Course and bridges the gap between both roles. 0315 Marine Scouts are equipped with advanced patrolling and scouting skills, which can later be mentored and trained by 0317 Scout Snipers (Marinecorptimes). The Army faces these same shortages. Leaders must address the US Army’s sniper and reconnaissance shortage.
The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course (RSLC) and the Army Sniper Course have a similar program of instruction (POI). Most of the curriculum covers the same topics, where RSLC goes more in-depth on long-range patrolling and communications, while the Sniper Course emphasizes precision fires. Both elements work together and often mutually support one another. Budget cuts are always a topic of discussion, and it would make sense from a financial standpoint to combine two skill sets. In return, the Army receives a dedicated reconnaissance asset to collect battlefield information and deliver long-range precision fires. This seven-week course would not only produce an additional skill identifier (ASI), but also serve as a force multiplier that would give commanders the tactical advantage needed to win conflicts.
From the sniper’s perspective, they need to know what the role of a sniper is. Snipers need guidance on what senior leaders expect so they can best prepare for the next battle. Give a task and purpose, and your snipers will not disapoint you.