Marine Corps Scout Sniper Training

well i think that marine scout snipers are the best!!it seems really intresting to me to know about what they do n how they do it!!
i would like to be a marine scout sniper

marine corps snipers are the best higher distance scores than the green berets or army rangers

I wish people would get over the “one service is better than the other service” crap.

None of the Military branches are “better” than any other branch. They are different, and train for different types of missions.

Marine Corps snipers do probably score higher than the average member of Army Special Forces (Green Berets), or Army Rangers. But I know of no data or study which suggests that they score higher distance scores than Army-trained *SNIPERS,* or Air Force *COUNTER-SNIPERS*, nor even Navy SEALS who have graduated from Sniper Training.

It’s time to knock off this “my service is better than your service” crap.

I agree, each branch has its own ups and downs, No one branch is better.
No marine would be here if the navy wasnt born, no army would stand if we didnt have a national guard. Though some branches do things diffrently we all are greatful that the other is there watching out backs.

I know of both marine service men and army, who say the air force is like an angle watching over them. And the army is glad to let marine go first and clean up the rest.

We have a moto’ You cover them (me) and they’ll (I’ ll) cover you.

But good old fashion compassion never did any harm. =)

True all branches of military are different,which constitutes different standards,training,doctrine and as with the Marine Corps-culture-. This alone means that not all branches are created equally. Marine recruits are trained four weeks longer, (than Army)must shoot more accurately and more often, their training and indoc is far more extensive and they are held to a more exacting standard (not babysitted). The Marine Corp Scout/Sniper program is the best in the world,turning out snipers who are the best. Far longer training, more emphasis on stalking, scouting, navigation and marksmenship. Ever heard of Carlos N. Hathcock II, look him up, he attended only the second year USMC sniper school since its conception, taught by Jim Land. 93 confirmed kills(Vietnam), hundreds more not confirmed and the record stands. So dont give me the “all services are created equal” bull****

Hi I’m 10 years old and want to train to be a sniper can you reccomend anywhere to go?

Jake, I am both pleased and gratified to see that you aspire to not only become a part of our Military, but to be among some of the best. To be sure, stay in school; one of the biggest challenges facing today’s youth seems to be physical standards. In order to be a part of Special Operations, which includes snipers, a Soldier must not be content to simply pass the minimum standards on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), but excell in this area. For you, that means taking care of yourself and staying in shape. Learn how to do pushups, situps, chinups, and, of course distance runs. You have a good eight years to become comfortable in this area; don’t forget to participate in as many sports as you care to.

Jake, I cannot emphasize the fact that you have time to allow physical fitness to become a natural and normal part of your daily life. One of the greatest difficulties young people seem to experience in today’s Army is an inability to meet the most-basic physical fitness standards. While crash programs seem to meet, with varying results, this problem, nothing beats a lifelong habit of physical activity.

Good luck, Jake, in all you do!

Sarge

Thanks for the advice Sarge I really apreciate that. I am a very athletic kid i play football,baseball,and i used to wrestle.I have a question does this place give kids traning that are my age of 10 please repy

Jake, thank you for your remarks, and for your continuing interest in mapping out your future. While the Military has a unique style in getting people, with little-to-no job-specific experience, up to speed, it often helps to have some civilian background prior to enlistment.

Marksmanship, the ability to put rounds/bullets on target, is the Soldier’s/Marine’s primary skill. While this skill is most-often acquired and perfected while in uniform, it cannot help but be of benefit to learn some of these skills at a young age. Joining a youth group, often sponsored by such organizations as the N.R.A. cannot help but enable you to appreciate weapons, and weapons safety. When you join the Boy Scouts of America, you may have the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and background in the handling of firearms. I haven’t been associated with Scouting in some years…I believe they used to (and perhaps still do) award merit badges in outdoor skills, and marksmanship, among many other disciplines which you will find highly beneficial in later life.

The key, Jake, is to learn as much as you can; as you approach adulthood, you will recognize the opportunities which will enable you to realize your dreams, desires, and goals in life. Good luck, Jake.

Sarge

Sarge,

Thank you for undersatnding me but my question is is this site just about the life and requirements of SAS or can you get trained here im not saying for me at the age of ten ovisly but to young adults in that manner. please reply

Jake,

WERE DO I SIGN UP TO BE A MARINE SCOUT SNIPER?
PLEASE REPLY…

Im currently 15, and agust 2 i will be 16. My dream is to become a Marine Sniper. I was wondering what the earliest age to start basic training is. And to become a Marine Sniper do you first have to complete the 12 week training program then be officaly a “Marine” then you go to the sniper training? Please reply. Im very intrested in this.

OK the 3rd person to leave a comment…you are worng, we all know we are the best at what we do all around, marines are the tip and the sharpest prt of the spear. ss are that beyond the tip of the spear….we fight wars before they even start. and to all who want to be a sniper, belive me you have to be in great shape to even think remotely about comming here to get torn up. btw you have to like being on the ground dragging.
Semeper Fi.

hi im 14 years old and i have always wanted to become a sniper in the marines… i want to know how i could sign up in the future or find more information on this topic

Frank, I fully appreciate the knuckle-dragging demeanor you display…one small suggestion; learn to speil! Kinda helps the credibility thing.

Sarge

Sarge, i am 15 years old and i will enlist in the millitary when i finish high school, and my main goal is to become a navy seal and i wanted to know if enlisting for the scout sniper training before applying for a seal contract is a good idea, please reply sarge.

The voice of experience says all services perform different functions and they perform equally well at their core.
GySgt Hedgecock, as a Marine sniper did a great job but it so happens an Army sniper had a longer range hit and recently a Canadian in Afghanistan broke both their distance record with a 7.62 (if I remember correctly) calibre weapon for that purpose.

For you teenagers interested in the programme, it is more than physical prowess but quiet discipline and mental serenity that makes a sniper. Your mental facilities count for even more and the ability to stay focus when the crap hit the fan.
Live long and prosper! Stay in school.

So is it a good idea

Daniel (16, 18):Your plans sound good…go for it. Just one idea you should learn to embrace: SEALS, Snipers, and all of the things that we in the military euphamisticly call “hooah schools” all lead to one way of life in Special Operations, a life of great discipline and personal sacrifice. This is not to say that the military community at large is lacking in these attributes; because of the nature of Spec Ops, you will often (more times than anyone outside the Spec Ops community can realize) have to go, not simply the extra step, but whatever it takes.

First and foremost, get in shape, and adopt a lifelong habit of staying in shape. Do well in school; don’t allow yourself to be satisfied (with anything) to simply get by. The Spec Ops life is very competitive, both in terms of becoming a part of the community as well as “living the life…adopt that competitive spirit now, in terms of sports, academic achievement, and most importantly, your personal outlook on life. Always remain positive (not an easy thing to do as you become an adult)and…I’ve often mentioned this before…learn the meaning of TENACITY; embrace that meaning and live it.

Good luck, Daniel, and Godspeed.

Sarge

Hey Sarg I assume you were in the marines but I could be wrong. I just got done serving on SEAL team 10. I am not worried about finishing the schools by any means but no even my LT can tell me if I wanted to go back in as a marine can I go as a scout sniper with out serving a time in infantry waiting to apply. As well as can I take my younger brother on the buddy system as my spotter.

I have to disagree about each service being trained for certain missions and not one being the best. The Marine Corps is by far the best branch out of all of them. And I am pretty sure we are trained for land, air and naval operations. I could be wrong and I am not referring to special forces I am simply referring to your basic jobs such as infantry.

Ok OKIMARINE, One the man was SSgt Hathcock. He wasn’t promoted to Gunny untill he retired. Second he was shooting a .50 machine gun with a 3-9 variable power scope. The 7.62 is only effective out to 1000 yds so no one hit anything much father than a grand with out using the 50. Thats what they used by the way all of the record breaking shots were done with a .50 (by the way they were all just lucky cause the weapon doesn’t even hold 1 MOA) Think before you speak.

Oh and USMILTARY, shut we SS are the best. That is why all the other branches go to Marine Scout/Sniper School, and not the other way around. We train to a higher standard and that makes us better. If you want hard facts that we are better look at BDA’s (battle damage assesments) You will quickly see that Marine Snipers are highly more effective than others.

Oh and we are the best out of all the branches. We SS are trained to a higher standard and that why other branches go to our schools, and why military personel from around the world train with us. Look at the after action reports we win hands down.

Steven (20), please forgive the time delay in getting back to you. Am I to understand you are familiar with the Spec Ops Community? I would imagine that, having negotiated BUDS, you feel that any future “HOOAH” schools will be no problem, and you are probably right. However, please allow me to illuminate the dangers and “trip wires” which often accompany over-confidence. I have seen many-a-Former Marine-turned Paratrooper wannabe return, tail-twix-legs, a Jump School Bolo…why? The physical demands, no big deal if you’re anywhere near-conditioned, took a back seat to the “sensibilities” of a former mid-to-senior-level NCO being yelled at by a 20-something E-5 Black Hat (Airborne Instructor). When I went through Jump School, back in the Dark Ages, an entire SEAL platoon, their LT included, was unceremoneously escorted off the training area, by the Airborne Commander, and tossed from the roster…why? They felt beyond running in an Army formation led by an Army NCO. Why am I elaborating on this? Simply that 1) overconfidence can be an inconvenience, at best, and, in the end, a killer, 2) no matter what your background, don’t let “been-there-done-that-itis” get the best of your intentions and motivation. Take each day, sometimes each hour, at a time…I know you’re familiar with that mental discipline.

While I am not an official source of info, I can offer that a military unit sends personnel to schools that qualify people, in that unit, to fill slots within that unit. I don’t mean to sound trite on this, however, I would imagine that, in order to attend any school, the service member would have to be in that unit. Many of these slots are highly competitive, so simply being in the command may not be sufficient; APFT/PT, weapons qual, leadership, evals, etc would all roll into a command decision to fund your training. It’s all based on MTOE, the unit’s Maning Table of Organizational Equipment, or simply put, the manpower requirements. Inasmuch as the Sniper is an Infantry asset, you would have to be in an Infantry unit…FOLLOW ME!

As far as Bro flying wing, I would suggest you familiarize yourself with the Sullivans Act, and the tragic story which serves as a base for this Act. In a WW II sea action, seven brothers, all serving on the same vessel, were lost. The story of their closeness, prior to, and following their enlistments, is both inspiring and touching. In the fluid dynamics of today’s military, this Act, which was intended to reduce the possibility of multiple family members being lost in combat, may have undergone modification. That, of course, would be a decision left up to he brass hats.

Steven, I hope my inputs, belated though they be, are of some help. Good luck and Godspeed.

Sarge

alright for those in their teens who would like to join the armed forces.

find perhaps a friend of the family who is in the military to supply you with information. of course im happy to help with your questions. but whatever you do, i would NOT go to a recruiter until you’re sure.i got nothin against em. but they’ll have you down to MEPS in a split second and you’ll be wondering what happened when your gettin yelled at for touchin a salty seargents sand fleas. but you’ll learn about that with time. but if enlisting is what you wanna do, then go for it. if you wanna be an officer you have a bit more steps. if you wanna be an officer then PLEASE DONT GO TO A RECRUITER!!! ill help with any questions you got. dont worry about talkin to a recruiter, talk to me instead.

-Jay

my friend and i are interested in becoming snipers and we have both made ghillie suits and practiced marksmanship. i have done a lot of research and have several books. i was planning on going to college prior to enlisting will this be a hassle?

hey i am 15 ill be 16 in december 31 and i want to be a marine i want to know if i can go ahead and do basic training this summer so i can go ahead and start out early cause this guy at my school has went to basic training for the army and he has to wear there uniform twice a week and he gets paid everyday he wears it so i was wonderin wat was the earliest age cause ive always wanted to be a marine

i will be 17 in march and i want to go into the marines to be a sniper but i have glasses and i plain on geting contacts so can i still be a sniper

Dear Sarge,

I am fifteen years old and a softmore in highschool. I have always been interested in the armed forces, but ever since an army presentation came to our school i have been really hooked. I want to get into the military right out of highschool and do my best to fight for my country. I want to be a sniper if possible. Could you please respond and tell me what i need to do inorder to become one? This would be very helpful to me. I was also wondering if their were any requirements to be a sniper…Im a pretty big guy (tall not heavy) Im 6′3 and weigh 130 would my height be a problem when trying to hide in small places and remain unnoticed? Anyways please reply as soon as possible with some advice. Thanx greatly

Listen up, guys! You all seem pretty motivated and anxious to start a military career. First and foremost, please understand I am not an official source of info pertaining to enlistment criteria, all I can suggest is that when you go about seeking guidance, get it from a wide perspective…let me explain that just a little further: 1) by all means, talk with recruiters 2) talk with people who’ve “been there”, that is, veterans as well as current military members (your parents, guidance counselors, and perhaps your neighbors can help with this one), and above all else 3) NEVER TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE BALL! By this, I mean a)stay motivated, b) graduate from high school, and c)stay in shape. I’m going to backpeddle here just a bit: You guys want to become a part of the Special Operations Community, what we refer to as SpecOps. These are a highly competitive group of people who never settle for “just getting by”. If you haven’t already done so, adopt that mindset right now, and hang onto it for life. What can you do right now? Don’t just be happy to graduate from high school, study hard; try to aim for honors. Weather you achieve these honors or not, the important thing is to try/to aim for (as we refer to in marksmanship) CENTER BULL(’s eye). Develope the “competitive spirit” in sports, and in all you do.

Brandon (28), it seems like your friend joined the Reserve Component, either the Reserves or the National Guard. This is a wise move for many reasons; your local recruiter can go into detail with you on this.

The important thing, guys, is to learn as much as you can. The training for any Spec Ops skill will be anything but fun; believe me, guys, it’s that way for a reason, and you’ll never fully appreciate that reason until you can look back at the experience and maybe even smile.

Good luck and Godspeed, guys!

Sarge

i am a 15 year old young marine, and my dream is to become a Marine sniper! where could I go to get a “head start” in some basic sniper training?

Hi im leaving this just to ask a basic question. I am 23 now and have been working toward either becoming a seal or a marine recon scout sniper. I have the test scores to back me up when it comes to the asvab and can physically meet all of the standards when it comes to all of the pt and run and swim times. My question is im done with college and do not want to be stuck in the pay check to pay check job that i had during highschool and college. Even though im 23 it still seems like i cant breath without anyones permission. What do i need to do or say to make it known that im almost 24 and its ridiculous that i even have to deal with this? I am very respectful of course because i dont want to be rude about it but u cant take it anymore. Their view of what i was going to do with life and my plans aren’t the same and i will not give in to what they think i want.

Hi, my name is Austin. Just as many young people around my age, I have thought about being a marine scout sniper since i was about 10 years old. I would really like to know if being a scout sniper is really worth giving all that hard work for it? and if wanted to enlist after i graduate highschool where should i go? or who should i talk to?

im jay from oklahoma and i practice my marksmanship during hunting season and summer.i wasnt planning to be a sniper just a marine all around marine i run and train every day.my grandma thinks i dont have what it takes cause im small and weak but i have the mind set. so what do you think .should im keep training or quit because someone thinks i cant make it my grandpa was in the navy and the guards and he said keep trying and dont let anybody tell you that you cant do something so what do you think

Hey im a junior in high school, id have to say im very fit, i did a marathon about a week ago (26.2 miles). I go to a private school and in all honors classes. I’ve wanted to be a sniper all my life and its comming down to decision times, i want to go to Texas aTm and become and officer, but i dont know what military branch to enlist in or look into more, and i dont know how to get to become a sniper, i think u have to qualify. But, ive never fired a gun in my life, im not afraid to its just that i live in a city, not afraid of blood but im not a psycho killer. Id like to know any more info on how to do that so post plz

Sarge,
I have just finished marine basics and my marksmanship was unbelievable and was just asked to join 1-5-SSP someone told me if im to do that i might as well go to all 3 sniper schools and s.e.a.r.s. school and be a lifer. my question is what does sears school consist of and what it’s purpose? i know what the sniper schools consist of but just need help with sears school part.

101, congratulations on completing Boot Camp…now you may call yourself Marine! Thanks for the questions on SERE, thats:

Survive
Evade
Resist
Escape

A 3-week course at Ft Bragg, NC, I’m not sure if the USMC has their own school, or if there’s an inter-service provision for accepting students from other services. Many schools, Airborne, Ranger, Flight, and a few more, conduct training for members of different services and from different countries. These provide for unique experiences, not only from the training program itself, but from the inter-service exchanges, particularly at the bar…but that’s another story!

Rather than go into the SERE program itself, I’m sure that between your line-level chain of command and the internet, you can find out all about the training, the requirements, etc. I will, however, offer one tiny bit of advice…things for which you can’t really prepare. In typical GI vernacular, it can all be summed-up as “CRAZY DODO” (well, actually, the “DODO” can be substituted…literary decorum, and three years out of uniform have tamed my otherwise salty means of expression). You already know what it’s like to stay awake for, what seems like, the rest of your natural life. How bout chowing down on worms, grubs, and the like. If you’re fortunate enough to happen up on a rattler, at least you’ll be eating well for a change…as long as the rattler is in agreement!

Instead of writing on stuff that, as I’ve indicated, you can get yourself, I would recommend doing a little research on people who’ve been there: Cpt Scott O’Grady, USAF, shot down over Bosnia, endured, I believe, 6 days in what we euphemistically call Indian country. LTC Iceal Hambleton, USAF, was shot down over North Vietnam, survived, evaded capture, and, through some extraordinary experiences, made it back to the golf course.

These stories, and many more like them, should provide a sliver of a glimpse into the men who, in spite of all the odds being stacked up against their chances of returning home, made it!

STAY MOTIVATED!

Godspeed, Marine