Understanding the Sniper 

By: Major A.Y. Simonyi OC A Coy, Inf School

In December 1996, from the 7th to 13th, I had the chance to attend, as an observer, the 4th Annual Sniper Competition organized by the 10 SF Group in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs. It has been a while since I have been so involved with snipers and I forgot how intricate this world is. I re-learned old lessons and discovered a whole spectrum of new techniques, requirements and tactics. I also, sadly, realized how little the common infantryman (NCO or Officer) knows about snipers. It is my aim to throw brain teasers at you and hopefully provoke a reaction.

This competition, in its fourth edition, is organized annually. It rallies snipers from all parts of the U.S. army and some from the international community. The organizers planned a smooth introduction by having a reception day during which competitors went trough the administrative details and had a chance to give presentation on their home organization, their weapons and their problems. Vendors were also invited to present their products including handguns, sniper rifles, scopes, range finders and services such as tracking courses. The second day was divided into zeroing the competitors weapons and trying out the vendors' products. The actual competition started on the third day.

The aim of this article is to address the problems of the Canadian Sniper Community as seen through the eyes of the undersigned. It will encompass the Sniper competition during which the undersigned was immersed in a "new" environment which, if not new altogether, permitted me to assess and analyze the intricacies, problems, and frustrations of the people doing the work.

This article will cover the following subjects :

1. the competition and its effects on the first Canadian International Sniper Competition (CISC);
2. the training at the Infantry School and the Battle Schools;
3. the training at the units;
4. the training of officers;
5. the C3 life cycle and how to manage the replacement;
6. the importance of proper maintenance on precision weapons;
7. the .50 cal sniper rifle;and
8. a word on the CISC.

THE COMPETITION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE CISC

To participate in such competitions is an obvious advantage. Primarily, it forces the snipers and their home unit to allow time for practice, thus maintaining their expertise. Also, the continuous discussion encourages exchanges of techniques and methods of shooting, spotting and maintaining the weapons.

The discussions underlined the universal problem existing in this community, namely the lack of priority except in times of need. Most of the competitors, American as well as others, complained of the lack of training attributed to misuse and misunderstanding. This issue is very real in the Canadian Army and must be addressed. Education of officers is part of the answer and will be addressed further. The CISC will contribute to enhance the visibility of the sniper. Publication of tactical and technical data through the Infantry Journal will also educate the common military hierarchy.

THE TRAINING AT THE INFANTRY SCHOOL AND AT THE BATTLE SCHOOLS

These two organizations are the national and regional centres of excellence in terms of educating, shooting and maintenance. It struck me as obvious that these schools did not have enough time (or did not take the time) to practice their skills.

In the particular case of the Infantry Centre, not only must they practice their skill, but they also should be one step ahead of technology. They also must be able to advise their OC on the following situations :

1. technical and tactical development based on Canadian and foreign experiences. In order to access this information, all Canadian after action reports should be directed to the Infantry School. Also, all LO's and overseas serving officers periodical reports on development must be read thoroughly (this could be extended to other weapon systems and cells);
   
2. the status of Canadian snipers in their units, their problems and employment. This will be accomplished by an annual visit to the units with a specific agenda;
   
3. advise on weapons and ancillary equipment. In order to prepare for the future, the "experts" must be the ones advising on weapons. Thus, channels of communication must be opened for trials from potential bidders, with the only aim to give feedback and suggestions for the preferred weapon and equipment.

These three courses of action will provide consolidated information to the Cmdt of the Inf School (mainly in his role as Dep D Inf) which will better enable him to :

1. adequately advise D Inf;
   
2. provide, in consultation with Inf COs, guidance on sniper issues;
   
3. direct the procurement program and not the opposite;
   
4. have the Units within the Corps pull in the same direction, thus stronger.

THE TRAINING AT THE UNITS

The sniper community is a low key group of people that we tend to blend with the recce platoon. In fact, they are a rare breed (look at the pass/fail rate on the basic sniper course) which require a lot of training. They must receive high priority and top quality training. The fact is that we will protect soldiers in biathlon or other sports faster than we will our snipers. They are an elite group and the natural tendency for the common soldier is to disapprove with such groups. Nonetheless, their tactical effect on the ground cannot be denied to the intelligent tactician.

THE TRAINING OF OFFICERS

Understanding the work of the snipers, their effect and employment requires studying and training. By nature, the sniper world is one of NCO's. Very few officers are initiated to the complexities and hardship of this specialty.

The officer Corps must be educated from it's younger members building upwards. The following suggestions would provide a basis for understanding :

1. an introduction to the effect of snipers can easily be introduced on phase IV (BIOC). Two aspects can be exploited:
   
   • the sniper team operating in the platoons sector, forcing coordination;
     
   • the enemy sniper team trying to kill friendly forces, thus demonstrating the effect and forcing a reaction.
     
2. training at the unit as directed by the CO. TEWTS on the employment and demonstration on the effects must be continuous;
   
3. the ITC program must include the use of snipers. This aspect should be given by the sniper cell;
   
4. the advanced recce course should go in detail on the employment of snipers;
   
5. the master sniper course could be scheduled so advanced recce officers could come on a specific part of the course pertaining to practical use on the ground, in order to touch firsthand;
   
6. the combat team comd course could easily include the practical employment and weapon's effect in the course package (sniper cell available);
   
7. courses like the CFLCSC and unit comd course could cover the employment of snipers. Knowledgeable officers can be invited to present this topic.

 The USMC has a program of educating the officers in the use of snipers. The Sniper cell at the Infantry School will study their program.

An officer's knowledge must be built from his early career throughout. He must be made aware of the existence, the use and effects of these teams. This education will positively influence the training and operational capabilities of our snipers.

The Infantry School, the Battle Schools and the Battalions should be encouraged and funded to send two-man teams on competitions and concentrations. An officer should accompany them (Recce pl Comd) for educational purposes.

THE C3 LIFE CYCLE AND HOW TO MANAGE THE REPLACEMENT

The C3's life is near the end. Already, we can hear rumours of replacement. But it does not come from people involved with snipers. By its nature, such a project must see users involved in the choice.

THE UPKEEP OF GOOD MAINTENANCE ON PRECISION WEAPONS

The C3 is a precision weapon requiring specific maintenance. Most of our weapons techs know very little and require additional training. The following are suggestions to improve a deficient situation:

1. train the snipers to do part of the maintenance themselves;
   
2. send the weapons tech involved with sniper rifles, as apprentices, to weapon manufactures. These companies are more then eager to provide such training, free of charge;
   
3. the use of reservists weapons tech with a civilian related job is an excellent approach. These reservists could be assigned to a unit and provide continuity and stability in the maintenance of the weapons.

THE .50 CAL SNIPER RIFLE

This weapon has proven itself an effective killer of equipment and men (counter-sniper role). It is widely used within NATO and deserves our attention. As of now, there is no intention of including this weapon in the Battalions' inventory. Our experience in Bosnia and Croatia certainly proved the requirement of such a weapon.

NOTES ON THE CISC

Planning for the CISC is well under way. It must encompass all of the sniper's abilities, not only shooting. It must be very demanding psychologically and physically. Each event must challenge the capability of the sniper to receive orders, transform them in action, execute the mission and retrieve successfully.

The main purpose of the CISC is to evaluate the capabilities of our snipers. Parallel to that, there is a need to initiate the leaders at all level on the training requirement of the snipers. After this competition, commanders at all level will have a clear image of where we stand and how to improve.

CONCLUSION

In its essence, the sniper world is one of NCO's. Few officers dare to join it, and none of them master the intricacies of this specialty like the NCO. The NCO is the soul of the weapon and the extremely efficient result accomplished is the climax of years of training, profound knowledge of musketry and fieldcraft and a high sense of duty and discipline.

On the other hand, the sniper is an orphan. Very few officers know how to use him and most of the officers ignore him. Most officers can't differentiate a marksman from a sniper. The sniper is only used when we realize an operational requirement, and then we usually tie him into an operation's orders, SOP's and rules of engagement so strictly that they are not doing their work properly or are plain useless.

The Infantry School has a leading role in re establishing the sniper's role in focus. All of the issues must be addressed aggressively or we risk taking a wrong turn.