Hey guys! My name is Ryan . I plan on joining the military, and when i do, I want to be a sniper. Been my dream to be a sniper, always has been. Now I wear Contacts, used to wear glasses. I need to know the basics on how to do this, I have a cell if anyone wants to contact me to help. Thanks

I'll copy and paste what I told another guy.

Look, for the guy who started this thread. Don't put your hopes up on sniper school just do the best you can. I've always wanted to be a sniper since I enlisted in the infantry in 2003. I only recently went to the school february of this year. It takes time and yes, sometimes being in the right spot at the right time. You just got to be motivated and do the right thing and definately STAY UP on your PT.

Believe it or not, shooting 40/40 isn't that big of a deal. Shooting is about 40% of the course. What the sniper instructors care about is whether or not you can maintain a grouping. They don't ****ing care if you can hit a 40/40 with a 3 minute gun at the furthest range of 300 meters. Thats cakewalk. If you can hold a solid grouping, you can be a shooter. Now let me give you some knowledge.

Prerequisites
-100 GT -Phase I and II physical -Mental eval(they ask if you are willing to kill somebody, just say yes. then lie your ass off about all the homicidal thoughts you have. its a stupid PA just checking the blocks. however, if you tell them no, you are not willing to kill somebody, you will fail) -vision test 20/20 eyes or 20/20 correctable lenses -commanders recomendation -PT card of 70% in each event within 30 days -Current bodyfat sheet -weapons qualification card of expert within 6 months -SECRET CLEARANCE or interium(non-waiverable. that is what held me up for awhile.)

School criteria-
-Grouping exercise day 0(15 rounds shoot 3 paper targets 5 rounds per target at 25 meters. make them as tight as possible or else you get booted. iron sight m4)
-6 Record fires
-Target detection(which gets most people)
-Stalks(which gets most people)
-2-4 written tests
-range estimation
-currently 3 day FTX(you will walk around 30 clicks)
-Final shot(2 rounds to hit an unknown distance target with a time limit. if you miss both times, you FAIL. last event of the course 1 day before graduation)

It's not really as hard as most people make it out to be honestly. Just focus on what you have to do and have faith.

edit: Oh yeah something I forgot.

This is only the Army side of the house. Not sure how Marine Sniper School works. However I do hear it is harder.


When you enlist, choose your MOS either Infantry or Scout. However, enlisting into the Army as a basic recruit with a Sniper school option is unheard of and not very likely.

You could get it as a re-enlistment option(which is rare) or be recommended by your unit(which is more likely if you earn it).

If you are infantry you will be awarded the B4 identifer which identifies you as a Sniper. Scouts who pass the course only receive a certificate of completetion and dp not receive the Bravo 4.

Course criteria is always changing with the times however. When I went through, we only had 2 chances in each event. I've heard of prior classes getting 3 or 4 chances.

Also, plan on spending alot of your own personal money. You have to have your own made ghillie suit. Military doesn't pay for this and costs around 200-400 dollars and 3 weeks of sowing.

Alot of units have a sniper selection course as well that you have to pass in order to be picked up for the section. good luck.

Thanks! I honestly hope i get into Sniper school.

Any insight on your desire to back shoot human beings from great distances?

There are some who have the romantic notion of the lone avenger. Unfortunately too many young people, I think, are having the wrong ideas about being a soldier and especially sniper or special forces.

Originally Posted by GHR

There are some who have the romantic notion of the lone avenger. Unfortunately too many young people, I think, are having the wrong ideas about being a soldier and especially sniper or special forces.

....thanks to HollyWeird, of course.

I've actually had kids ask me about the Army and refer to being able to quick scope really good on Call of Duty as a reference to their natural soldierly ability...I just sigh and tell them to let their drill sergeants know all about it, they'd love to hear about it.

Originally Posted by brinktk

I've actually had kids ask me about the Army and refer to being able to quick scope really good on Call of Duty as a reference to their natural soldierly ability...I just sigh and tell them to let their drill sergeants know all about it, they'd love to hear about it.

LOL. Have experienced a little of the same.


Once a year we hold an event where you can meet the people in the Danish armed forces who have been deployed in international missions. All questions are legitimate. You can ask about everything from what we eat to how it feels when you kill an enemy.

We had a guy from the Danish navy seals who had been deployed at least 10 times to Iraq and Afganistan. Great expectations when he was asked about how many Taliban warrior´s he had killed. His answer? None!

When asked why, his response was: "Because we're damn good at doing our job" The next question from the audience was: Then a game like modern warfare does not reflect real life combat in any way?

To which my squad leader came to say: Do a porn movie reflects your sex life?
Not very tactful, but the message was understood.

Originally Posted by MikeP

Any insight on your desire to back shoot human beings from great distances?

Lost my last wife to a SF Sniper. I wonder - no his name wasn't mike and your propably too young.

If it's any comfort, SF has the highest divorce rate of any service.

We never used to have any actual sniper positions on the teams, but today there are guys who have the school in their training.

I'm aware of the necessity of the job and glad there are those willing to do it.

Both grandfathers served in WW1. In those days snipers were seen somewhat negatively.
Considered psychopathic murderers and just bad practice in some circles, they were eliminated from our forces for awhile.

If my kid's dream was to be a sniper, I'd have his head examined.

WTF happened to baseball?