GAIN ATTENTION
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide the student with the basic knowledge of scout sniper special equipment requirements.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
Ref: FMFM 1-3b, FMFM 0-11, II MEF SOTG URBAN SNIPER COURSE
8511.1.1.18
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Ref: FMFM 1-3b, FMFM 0-11, II MEF SOTG URBAN SNIPER COURSE
8541.1.1.18
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Without the aid of references, the student will assume the role of a scout sniper team leader, and when assigned an area of operations, advise the supported unit commander on the general employment of scout snipers.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. State the general scout sniper employment fundamentals.
2. Identify the mission of Marine Corps snipers.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught through lecture.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be evaluated through practical application.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Definitions
a) Scout/Sniper. A scout/sniper is a Marine highly skilled in field craft and marksmanship who delivers long range, precision fire at selected targets from concealed positions. The scout/sniper also has a secondary mission of gathering information for intelligence purposes.
b) Mission. The primary mission of a scout/sniper in combat is to support combat operations by delivering precision fire on selected targets from concealed positions. The scout/sniper also has the secondary mission of gathering information for intelligence purposes.
c) Sniper Missions. A detachment of one or more sniper teams performing an assigned task of engaging selected targets of opportunity, collecting and reporting of information, or a combination of these tasks to contribute to the accomplishment of the supported unit's mission.
d) Selected Targets. Those targets that will have a definite influence on the outcome of the battle and the enemy's ability to wage battle. Possible targets include:
1) Officers
2) Snipers
3) Forward observers
4) SNCOs/NCOs
5) Crew served weapons personnel
6) Communications personnel and Equipment
7) Observation devices
8) Ground surveillance radar
Scout/Snipers are best used against targets that cannot be destroyed by other available weapons systems. Considerations include:
a) range
b) size
c) location
d) visibility
e) security and stealth requirements
f) collateral damage
g) intensity of conflict
h) rules of engagement (ROE)
i) Scout/snipers should always be given a priority of targets; however, the scout/sniper may engage those enemy elements that have the greatest effect on the accomplishment of the mission and given freedom to select his own target. For example, if the commander wants to disrupt the defensive preparations of the enemy, he may task scout/scout snipers to kill operators of bulldozers and other engineer equipment.
e) Equipment
1) M40A1 sniper rifle with 10x Unertl scope
2) M16A2 service rifle
3) M49 20x spotting scope
4) Binoculars with mil scale
5) Camouflage apparel (ghillie suit, arctic over-whites, etc.)
6) Two 9mm pistols
7) AN/PVS-4 or SSNED
8) AN/PRC-77 or other appropriate communications equipment
2. General Employment Fundamentals
The Marine Corps scout/sniper is a highly specialized type of supporting arm and should be considered a force multiplier during urban operations. The scout/sniper is trained to deliver accurate rifle fire, collect detailed intelligence information, and direct/adjust supporting arms fire during the day or at night. The number of teams participating in a particular operation will vary depending on the expected duration of the operation, the number of teams available and the enemy situation. In some urban operations it may be more efficient to deploy scout/sniper teams in shifts in a few key positions rather than use all the teams at once for a protracted period.
a. Concept of Employment
The concept of employment is based on the two man team; one as the sniper and the other as the observer. The observer locates the target for the sniper to engage and operates the radio. A two man team can maintain continuous observation of an area by switching roles (a rule of thumb is every 20 minutes because of the eye fatigue inherent in using optic devices). Both team members should be school-trained 8541s and weapons and duties should be switched periodically during the mission. Scout/sniper teams should also move with a security element (squad/platoon) when possible as this allows the team to reach the area of operations faster and enhances the team's safety.
b. Freedom of Action
The team should be deployed independently. This allows for maximum use of scout/sniper skills and a reduction in the chances of detection by the enemy. The means by which the team closes with the enemy and fires on the target is called stalking. Stalking is the art of moving unseen into a firing position within a range that will ensure a first-round kill and then withdrawing undetected. Other general guidelines include:
1) Only when tactically required should the scout/sniper team operate as an attachment in close proximity to the supported unit.
2) Teams must be able to choose their own positions and given the opportunity to maintain freedom of action at all times. They have been trained to choose positions that offer the best fields of fire and observation for their particular mission and equipment.
3) Time must be allocated for the team to plan, coordinate, prepare, rehearse, move, and to establish positions. The less time allocated the higher the risk of compromise during execution of the mission.
4) When operating alone teams move slowly. Movement can often be measured in feet and inches. The scout/sniper team is the best source for determining an accurate time estimate for a particular movement. When moving with a security force, the team moves at the same speed as the infantry force.
3. Scout/Sniper Employment Factors
1) The degree of planning accomplished concerning the assigned mission.
2) The thoroughness of coordination accomplished prior to the team's mission.
3) The degree of command and control the supported unit maintains over the scout/sniper team.
4) The type and availability of support.
5) The general nature of combat, weather and terrain.
6) Time available.
7) The distance between the forward line of troops and the enemy units or targets.
8) The degree of aggressiveness shown by the enemy.
9) Enemy sniper and counter-sniper capabilities.
10) Specific mission requirements.
4. Tasking
The commander must decide how he wants his scout/snipers to influence the battlefield and assign missions to accomplish the desired effect. The team's mission, movement control measures, and targets should normally be described in general terms by the supported unit commander. It is generally unwise to tell a scout sniper "how" to do his job.
An example of good general guidance is "dominate this area on this avenue of approach". In turn, the scout/sniper team must understand the commander's intent, scheme of maneuver, and fire support plan. Only then can the team leader best advise the commander on the most effective employment option.
5. Who Controls?
Generally, scout/sniper teams are best used when under centralized control. Since they are an information gathering asset, tasking should come from the S-2 (Intelligence Officer). In turn, the S-2 is advised by the senior scout/sniper on proper employment of the team. During some operations and situations scout/snipers can be attached to rifle companies. If attached in this situation care must be taken to avoid duplication of effort with adjacent companies..
6. Collection of Information for Intelligence Purposes
In addition to the sniping aspect of scout sniper employment, the team also provides valuable information on the enemy and urban terrain. Before embarking on a mission to collect information the team must fully understand the Commander's Critical Intelligence Requirements (CCIRs). Such things as the characteristics, capabilities, strengths, weaknesses and disposition of the enemy are examples of the types of information that may be critical to the success of the supported unit's mission. Because of the scout/sniper team's training and equipment, they are ideally suited to perform reconnaissance and surveillance in conjunction with direct action missions.
7. Impact of Sniping
Scout/snipers enable the infantry to be everywhere at once. When utilized properly, snipers can prove invaluable on the urban battlefield. Effective sniping does more than inflict casualties on the enemy. The potential adverse effect sniping can have on the enemy's feeling of security and morale can be an important factor in reducing his will to fight. The presence of scout/snipers hinders enemy movement, creates continuous personal fear, causes confusion, disrupts enemy operations and preparations, and compels the enemy to divert forces to deal with snipers. The scout/sniper team is both the "eyes" and "trigger finger" of the infantry commander.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
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