Tag Archives: Sniper

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Near-Peer Employment of Snipers

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On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin authorized a “special military operation.” It initiated combat operations with Russia beginning coordinated strikes on Ukrainian cities. Throughout the history of military operations, it’s rare that a commanding general becomes a casualty of war. But, on March 2, 2022, Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky was the first high-ranking leader to be killed in action during the Russo-Ukraine conflict. A sniper delivered the fatal shot from 1.5 kilometers (.9 mile), as Ukraine forces were repelling a Russian attack. 

A Ukrainian sniper has killed one of the top generals of Russia (representative image). Photograph:( Reuters )
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A Sniper’s Relevancy

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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.

Sniper team leader assesses the environment before executing a training scenario. U.S. Army photo submitted by the author.
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Reconnaissance Done Right

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The scout platoon’s fundamental role is to conduct forceful or stealthy reconnaissance that satisfies information requirements to set conditions for successful operations of the supported unit. Scout platoons are the primary collection asset in the cavalry troop, and the organic reconnaissance unit available to infantry and armor battalions. This article highlights a narrative of a concept developed to maximize success at NTC and the discussion of how to utilize scouts and snipers for future force designs, and a way to cut out redundancy that plagues our institutional courses within the Army.

Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Fox waits to engage a target in the live-fire stalk event during the 2012 International Sniper Competition at the U.S. Army Sniper School on Fort Benning, Ga., Nov. 3, 2012. Fox, a sniper, is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 69 Armor Regiment. (U.S. Army photo by Ashley Cross)
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Snipers on the Modern Battlefield

Their Fundamentals, History, and Evolving Role

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After two decades of conflict, the sniper continues to be an underutilized asset on the battlefield. The problem that plagues the sniper community is: what is the definitive role of a sniper? The Operational Force has failed to define what they want out of a fully qualified sniper. In turn, it has put a tremendous strain on the Generating Force, which has to play catch up in order to sustain sniper training in the 21st century. 

Spc. Joseph Baker, Oklahoma National Guard, participated in the Stalk event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Israel Sanchez)
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Recognize the Box to Think Outside of It

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The US Army is the most lethal military force in history. The world views our tactics and techniques as precise and lethal. We execute these battle drills without hesitation because of countless hours of repetition, perfecting these techniques. Unfortunately, NCOs have been known to teach shortcuts and standing operating procedures (SOP) that were once taught to us early on in our careers.  Although SOPs are stemmed from doctrine, over time they begin to manifest into “tribal knowledge” and skills are passed along from generation to generation by word of mouth. Throughout our army career, we hear the saying, “this is how we did it at my last unit.” The downfall of continuing this mantra is that we can pass along bad habits or outdated information. We need to know our playbooks (Army manuals) if we are to implement any kind of “audible” on the field.

USASC cadre evaluating the M2010 record fire qualification for doctrinal updates.
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So You Have a Sniper Problem?

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Months after leaving Battalion Command, a former sniper of ours reached out to me for advice. He had just PCSd to a new unit and joined the their reconnaissance platoon. In his assessment, the battalion’s sniper section was non-existent and the unit’s advanced marksmanship program was uninspired. To make matters worse, the unit was deploying in about a year. He saw an opportunity in that the unit was about to receive the Army’s newly fielded M2010s, which he had already mastered in our unit. What follows is the advice I gave him over the course of a few emails. I have added additional ideas recently provided by my coauthor, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Moran who has been my trusted advisor for years on this topic.

U.S. Army photo by Cav Scout and NTC O/C/T Master Sgt. Luis Coriano at luis-coriano.pixel.com and on IG @coris_fine_photography
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On Watch (Sniper Emplacement)

The Company Leader TDG 20-05

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You are the Battle Staff NCO of 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 199th Brigade. Your Brigade’s AO is Jalalabad, Afghanistan, in support of NATO forces. Recently, your battalion has been focusing on the southern sector of the area of operations. Your units intercepted arms and explosives flowing from Pakistan into Afghanistan through the mountains of tribal Pakistan into the Tora Bora region. This region has three major tribes in the area – Pashtun, the Wakhi, and the Tajik tribes. The clans, led by family patriarchs continue to fight each other, regardless of tribe, over water rights, territory, and trade rights. The BDE has started to establish allies and informants in the area.

A competitor in the United States Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition uses a digital range finder on his weapon while engaging long-distance targets at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 19, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)