Snipers, the question answered.

Welcome. Thread merged.

It is possible to go on course straight after Recruit Training. Earning a marksman badge in training is a good starting point.

 

Stop worrying about becoming a sniper. Worry about earning your green beret, earn that and then by the time your in your unit you'll realise how hard it actually is and the idea might have blown over.

 

You are essentially saying, give up on it, because it is hard. Solid advice right there...

Yes, concentrate on getting your lid first, but there is no harm in asking.

 

That wasn't the intention, I was simply telling him to earn the lid first. But yes your right, there isn't any harm in asking.

 

Just out of interest, how important is one's mental state to becoming a sniper? I'm not interested in becoming one myself (not terribly gifted at observation) but I was reading Inside Delta Force and the author mentioned that personality was a huge thing for them. If you were a bit too keen to shoot and kill things, that was considered just as undesirable as if you were watching for ages and found you couldn't pull the trigger.

 

One of the Corporals at my AFCO was a Recce Troop sniper & outwardly seemed a pretty chilled, witty & laid back bloke. Whether that's typical I've no idea.

 

Some lads I were in training with have just completed this course, and it sounds hard work but obtainable.
Being good at the basics seems to be a big one, basic soldiering skills and field-craft, I know the guys did a fair bit of work on their nav practise before they headed off on the course.

I've heard a few people says "I wish I went for snipes/SF a lot sooner, i.e. as early as possible after passing out," for reasons such as you're still in the right 'gear' to be learning loads, getting messed about, going out in the field etc etc and have the right fitness, rather than waiting several years before giving it a crack when you might not have been in the field properly for ages.

 

Suppose it's finding that fine line between experience and complacency. Presumably a man with a few tours under his belt, some exchanges and experience in jungle/arctic warfare will have the upper hand in many ways but if he lets it get to his head, "I'm an NCO, I'll smash this", then he'll fall down. Cheers for the insight.

 

Hi, an Officer can attend a sniper course. Usually as part of other training, e.g. all SC3 and ML2 courses include a sniper phase. It isn't the full course, more a crash course but to operate at that level you will be a top soldier anyway.

There is a lot of crap gets written about things on this and othe sites. I served with the RMC a long, long time ago and after doing 18 months GD I was lucky enough to attend the S3 training and pass it. It is solid so please do not underestimate how physically tough this course is. I think people see you crawling around and think well that looks easy.

There are days when you are crawling and crouching for mile after mile to reach an objective, the primary role of a sniper is recconnaissance, the shoot bit comes later. You will spend days cold and wet and struggling to concentrate.

BUT first and foremost everyone on here should be focussing on passing basic training. I failed the first time on the old PRC course and came back with a vengance to get in and pass second time around but people....do lots of circuits and run your ass off. Training twice a day or more if possible if you want to stand out, if your fitter than the rest you will find a huge chunk of training easier to handle. Don't forget the admin side, the bull can break a man twiceas quick as the phys. Sorry if I've gone on a bit but I hope this helps the future generation of 'Royals'.

 

Welcome.

Some very good advice for those who are good enough to complete RM selection, Recruit Training and make the grade to undergo sniper training.

Much appreciated.

 

i remember watching a documentary about the RM during the 1980s, the sniper training then looked hard, this bloke got annoyed and fired a round at a fish in the pond and got wrecked :P

 

*text deleted** seen that, that bit was proper funny, he got like stupidly close then they was like Dr fail, why the he'll you that close?? But did congratulate him on getting so close undetected

 

It was the 80's series on the ML2 course, there is a sniper training section of the course.

 

I remember the series and knew most of the people in it. It was called, "Behind the Lines". They made a follow up, called "Behind the Lines, ten years on.".

All mountain Leaders are sniper trained. They generally are very tough and exceptional men.


SP

 

Ah brilliant, I didn't know they did a follow-up!

So I have heard, it will probably be my choice of specialisation if my views don't change once through all the initial stuff.

P.S. Half way through "Amongst the Marines", good read.

 

I'm fifteen, and i'm possibly the only fifteen year old that knows playing CoD is not going to help me in training in any way what so ever, after all, its not like you re-spawn in real life right?
What i would like to know though, is how hard is it to actually pass the course to become a sniper and also the success rate?
thanks

 

Lets just say, alot of people fail it.

Rhys

 

I don't have 20/20 vision

 

Drink more 20/20? Actually don't, that's a terrible idea, plenty of gucci roles available for VA3.

 

Hi guys I'm new here!

I just though I would ask a few questions. Do snipers still go on patrol with other GD marines? I can't imagine that they will always be performing "sniper" duties. Are snipers or any other specialisation for that matter deployed when they are needed? Or do they still do 6 month tours?

Thanks for any replies. I'm not some naive 12 year old who has no idea what being a sniper actually involves, so please don't say that I am