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Amazon (# 1) Best Selling book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in
U.S. Military History by Jim DeFelice!
http://drmunaalrawahi.com
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In today's military, different specialized roles are given to different soldiers based on their training
as well as education. These specialists range from Military Advisors to Combat Engineers, each of
them playing a pivotal role on conflicts. Among of these specialists are military snipers, they are
trained to deliver a critical blow on their opponents and are sometimes employed as scouts ahead
of their main force.
Sniping is originally a British term in India for hunting Snipes, birds that are difficult to hunt down
because of their elusiveness. The individuals who successfully manage to shoot one were called
Snipers. In the events of World War I, snipers were first deployed by Germany, equipped with
scoped rifles, the Mauser Gewehr, to pick off their enemies from a distance without exposing
themselves. They used this advantage to weaken, disrupt and demoralize the opposing army by
picking off those who exposed their heads outside their trenches.
The British soon followed this deadly art by training their own sharpshooters, further developing it
by introducing the ghillie's fieldcraft, as well as the ghillie suit, which allows their sniper to easily
blend in their surroundings. Soon, other countries followed suit and improved the field altogether.
Those aspiring to become these anti-personnel sharpshooters must first pass the basic
requirements of the sniper school. For example, in the United States Marine Corps, their
prerequisites are the following:
• Lance Corporal through Captain.
• Infantry Military Occupation Specialties or MOS 0203.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. Color blindness is discouraged.
• Serving in or designated for assignment to a Scout Sniper billet.
• Minimum of 12 months remaining on current contract upon completion of course (Does not
apply to reservist).
• Must score a First Class Physical Fitness Test (PFT) on course convene date.
• Current rifle Expert. Must have qualified in the last fiscal year. (Reservist can have a score
three years old, but must be current Expert)
• No court martials or Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP) within the last six months.
• Minimum General Technical of 100.
• No history of mental illness.
• Must be a volunteer.
• It is HIGHLY recommended, but not required, for the student to have completed the
following MCI courses: Land Navigation, Patrolling, Calling and Adjusting Supporting Arms, and
Reconnaissance Marine. It is also recommended but not required that the student have conducted
basic Scout Sniper field skills: stalks, concealment, field sketches, range cards, range estimations,
and firing of the M-40A1 prior to attending the course. Students should also possess a high degree
of maturity, equanimity, and common sense.
• Marine Corps PFT: For a perfect score: 3 mile run in 18 minutes, 20 deadhang pull-ups (no
kipping), 100 sit-up/crunches under two minutes.
• Swimming Qualification: 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.
Those meeting the prerequisites are rigorously trained and tested. In Britain's Royal Marines,
snipers must pass a nine week course. They are trained to stalk, observe and do reconnaissance
and simulated combat scenarios. They must also take marksmanship lessons and at times,
trained in pairs to form a sniper team.
These specialists are not only trained to stalk and to survive, they are also trained to take into
account the factors that affect their shots. These factors include the distance, the wind, the flight
path, the earth's gravity and rotation, the angle to the target, ballistics and many others. All these
lead to one principle which guides these individuals: "One Shot, One Kill".
I'm Moebius Rendon, an aspiring writer and I would like to write more articles based on subjects
that interest me.
Article Source:
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==== ====
Amazon (# 1) Best Selling book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in
U.S. Military History by Jim DeFelice!
http://drmunaalrawahi.com
==== ====