Posted on 05/25/2005 6:14:39 AM PDT by kahoutek
The insurgency in Iraq is increasing the demand for U.S. military snipers.
Brian K. Sain, a Texas-based police sniper, is spearheading a private effort to supply the key ingredients to U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
Mr. Sain heads Americansnipers.org, which has raised about $400,000 from the private sector — including major corporations and wealthy Hollywood celebrities — to help supply equipment to Marine and Army snipers.
Just this week, Mr. Sain received a request from a Marine in Fallujah asking for his group to provide him with a scope and bipod for his standard-issue M-16. "I have an M-16 A4, I will be the designated marksman IF I can get my own equipment," the Marine stated. "We're using snipers over there in record numbers," Mr. Sain said in an interview.
The military is finding its troops are experienced in using armored convoys but lack knowledge about using snipers against insurgents, he said. "In a war, you need people that know how to shoot," Mr. Sain said. A common insurgent tactic is to use a roadside bomb to attack a vehicle convoy and then shoot at soldiers in vehicles.
To deal with the threat, more trained snipers and marksmen are being used to provide cover during the attacks, he said. The U.S. snipers in Iraq have become so effective against the insurgents that many have bounties placed on them by the terrorists and insurgents.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Anyone else find it strange that sources outside the military/government are supplying this effort?
Yes. Sounds like the WTimes is taking something out of context.
I find the whole article strange. One of my admin billets was School's NCO (never went to Sniper School myself, but I know their SOP). Doesn't follow that Snipers would be employed like this, its reactionary and dilutes their strengths.
Also, the writers tossed in the term "marksmen" with snipers. Marksmen is a rifle badge, the two terms are not used together like this in the USMC.
I do find it strange. Surely there is funding for scopes, bipods, vests etc. Probably the scope money was used for condoms and sensitivity training.
Not really. It is the government after all. Perhaps they would be able to do something about it in 15-20 months, but money talks now and if the citizenry can bypass the lethargy in the Pentagon more power to them. I think I'll check this out. Looks like the money is well spent.
I missed the 'marksman' comment.......I think during my time, that would be barely making the grade.
Sounds as if this is sanctioned by his command..............
Sounds as if this is sanctioned by his command..............
Maybe his first rung or two. When the brass in DC find out, they will change their tune "through military supply channels..."
IMHO, putting bipods, and a scope on an A-4 is like t!ts on a nun.
Get those boys a .308 at least.
D'oh! Posted too soon. AmericanSnipers and AdoptASniper are the same organization.
Then let us know on the Free Republic.
Any Warrent F&S might tell us what it takes to procure something that is not on the GSA schedule. I am sure that things have changed since my time.
A .223 sniper?
Doesn't pass the smell test. Standard issue for a Marine grunt is an A2 not an A4. "designated marksman" WTF?! This "Marine", if he exists, is jerking Sain's chain. There are plenty of Marine Scout Snipers in Iraq using the M40A3.
If you, or Sain for that matter, really want to help these snipers then visit Operation Assist
I know I've seen an article here at FreeRepublic about squad-level designated marksmen being issued M-14s. I wonder if we're running short, because of all the "surplus" M-14s that the Clinton Administration had destroyed.
to your point ...
http://www.snipercentral.com/m40a3.htm
I think that there is a misuse of the term 'sniper' here. What the Marines are doing is creating picked men within a rifle squad to act in an overwatch role. These shooters -- call them snipers if you want -- are equipped with whatever equipment can be found or scrounged. Basically, it's just getting the best equipment into talented hands.
These shooters do not get training in fieldcraft or the other things required by truly longrange shooting. Besides the engagement ranges are shorter.
Yup. That makes much more sense. Wonder why the writer didn't clarify that.
I think there are problems with just putting a scope on one as there is a lot of play in the receiver, handle/mount setup.
This can be corrected tho. The short barreled ones which I see in the news would lack the velocity for long range work. I used to have an Hbar and it was extraordinarily accurate, better than most bolt actions.
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