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Watch: The First 2 Weeks of U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper Training

Marine Corps Scout Snipers are legendary in the community. Once you have passed the initial screening and get accepted into a STA platoon you start learning the basics of fieldcraft, scouting, stalking, land navigation and long-range precision shooting. Once you have proven yourself as a PIG you have the opportunity to attend the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School. The sniper course offered by the Marine Corps is longer than any other and is known to be tough and demanding. Because of the skill level these guys graduate at, they are known as the most deadly weapon on the battlefield. Watch the following video to get a glimpse into the first 2 weeks of US Marine Corps Scout Sniper School.

The United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper (MOS 0317, formerly 8541) is a secondary MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) designator of U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen and reconnaissance Marines that have graduated from a U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper School. Scout Snipers must earn the rank of Lance Corporal, be selected by their battalion to join the scout-sniper platoon, and complete an approved scout-sniper course in order to receive this designation.

Photo courtesy of US Marines

Predator and prey: Pre-Scout Sniper students stalk targets

JACKSONVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

A Marine student undergoing the 2nd Marine Division Combat Skills Center’s Pre-Scout Sniper Course departs a field following a stalking exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 22, 2016. The DCSC offers several infantry-based courses to enhance the combat readiness of its Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)

*Courtesy of DVIDS

T3 Tactical Fanny Pack: Multi-purpose waist pack

When I was growing up the fanny pack was possibly the worst fashion accessory ever only worn by ironic hipsters and my friend’s dad Steve who had an incredible collection of high white socks commonly worn with a fanny pack and sandals on vacation. Then I joined the Marines and noticed members of our STA teams (USMC Surveillance and Target Acquisition) commonly wore them. On one of my deployments, I noted the Reconnaissance Marines attached to us had them so I began looking into their purpose. I discovered not only did it serve as a great E&E pouch (Escape and Evasion) but it also was a welcome addition when patrolling. I began looking around for my very own “nut-ruck”.

I had used a T3 Gear arm board for raids before and was familiar with the durability and quality of their gear. I got a T3 fanny pack and promptly loaded it up as my multipurpose pouch. The first item to fit conveniently in the smaller front pouch was a PVS-14 night vision device. Then in went my marking kit consisting of; a smaller yellow air panel, 3 IR buzzsaws, a SureFire firefly/light, 3 visible buzzsaws, 4 chemlights, the J-arm for my NODs, and some spare batteries. The far back zippered pouch holds an extra CAT (North American Rescue) tourniquet and small Israeli bandage (also by NAR) as well as my compass. The last range day the larger pouch also served to hold ten 12ga shotgun shells for my Remington 870. The larger pouch will also hold the standard smoke grenade or 2 M67 Frags if the need arises.

I was pleased to discover the T3 fanny pack fits through standard belt loops and was very comfortable. The waist strap also held its adjustment well as I put it through some stress shoots and rapid movements. I have friends in my unit who use it as their primary IFAK or blow out bag. Seeing as I just got the T3 fanny pack a week or so ago I can not attest to this specific packs longevity but a friend and mentor of mine has carried his through 2 Afghan and 2 Asia deployments and it’s still kicking for every single op we’ve been on together. I highly recommend the concept of a fanny pack for military applications as well as the outdoorsman who is in search of something to hold smaller items needed for a day of fishing, hunting, or hiking. I can wholeheartedly recommend this piece of kit and plan on getting two more as vehicle carried survival and blowout bags due to their ease of tossing into the truck and rapidly attaching to one’s person.

Author – Tanner Hodges is an Active Duty Marine Infantryman currently serving as a Platoon Sergeant with 3dBn 2d Marines. He holds two infantry MOS’s (0351/0365) and has completed Infantry Small Unit Leader’s Course, and Advanced Infantryman Course. He has trained in Mountain Warfare, Desert Warfare, and Jungle Warfare all around the globe.

Sniper shortage: Too many Marines are washing out of sniper school

The Marine Corps is facing a “critical gap” of scout snipers due to the high washout rates at sniper school, so the Corps is looking at changes to how the elite sharpshooters are trained, officials said.

The graduation rate for scout snipers school for the past several years has been down significantly. An uptick in 2016 bumped the graduation rate to about 44 percent; but that remains well below the nearly 56 percent graduation rate in 2012, according to Training Command.

“The significant causes of attrition in the course are in practical application evaluations, which includes stalking, marksmanship and land navigation,” Training Command said in a statement to Marine Corps Times. “The eligibility requirements and training requirements have not been made more difficult.”

Continue reading on Marine Corps Times

Photo courtesy of Sgt. James R. Skelton

Snipers, the Cleanest Killers in the History of Warfare

The Surveillance and Target Acquisition Platoon of 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines during the mid 1980s through the mid 1990s had their platoon t-shirts printed with this on it: Invisible Souls – Leave .308 Holes; my favorite shirt ever.

First, this is in no way a slight on pilots, artilleryman, or anyone else. This is to point out the idiocracy in maligning the evil sniper; which is actually a phobia – an irrational fear (snipaphobia).

Pilots / aircrew

American airmen (all services) have been absolutely brilliant during the recent wars. They have destroyed more enemy personnel than we will ever know. I might not be writing this right now if it were not for Marine aircraft and crews. But you must realize aircraft bombardments, although they are getting better, are an ugly way of warfare, killing as much infrastructure as enemy. God bless our American aircrews.

FYI, I have never heard anyone call a pilot or their aircrew cowards; in fact they make movies about pilots and their crews, to show their honor, courage, guts, and glory. This is good because it gives civilians at least a little taste of what servicemen and women go through.

If you are a pilot and you kill 5 enemy planes then you are an ACE; a hero for life. When your ground crew paints the silhouettes of enemy planes on your plane, well that is normal. Cool, I agree. They are all heroes.

Artillery

Artillerymen; the kings of battle. Anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an enemy barrage knows that it is terrifying. It is terrifying, but the fact is, historically artillery is a weapon of fear more than a weapon of death. Oh, do not get me wrong, arty kills a lot and they have supported me so many times I could not give you a number. These are great warriors.

Receive a BDA (Battle Damage Assessment) from your FO (forward observer) reporting 12 dead and total destruction of the neighborhood and start high-fiving each other and dancing around and no one blinks an eye. It is normal; they have a euphoric feeling of relief that they have done their job protecting your own people.

FYI, I have never heard anyone call an artilleryman a coward; in fact they make movies showing these great warriors in action and it shows their honor, courage, guts, and glory. This is good because it shows civilians at least a taste of what servicemen and women go through.

Continue reading on Spotter Up

Photo courtesy of Spotter Up