Scout Snipers in the USMC

By: Briana Riley Nagel

What is a Scout Sniper?

A USMC Scout Sniper is a Marine, highly skilled in field craft and

marksmanship, that will deliver long-range precision fire on selected targets,

from concealed positions, in support of combat operations.

What is a Scout Sniper Team?A USMC Scout Sniper Team is a detachment of

one or more sniper teams performing an assigned task of engaging selected targets,

targets of opportunity, collecting and reporting information, or a combination of all,

contributing to the accomplishment of the supported unit's mission.

Getting into The Marines • Take and pass the AFQT with AT LEAST a

score of 32 (some jobs may require higher)• Applicants may be 17-29 (if under 18, need

parental consent to enlist)• MUST be a Legal US Citizen• MUST pass a criminal background check and

have no felony convictions

Getting into The Marines

• MUST be fit enough to pass a physical before Basic Training and not have disqualifying diseases

• You MUST possess a high school diploma • You MUST have 20/400 or 20/200 vision

corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses

A.F.Q.T.

• Stands for Armed Forces Qualification Test• It’s questions that tests your English, Math,

Science and other basic skills – You can take it when your in highschool or

above • It is important and tells you what different

jobs you can have in the military based off of your scores

Examples of USMC JobsName Required AFQT Score

Rifleman GT (General Technician) - 80

Machine Gunner GT (General Technician) - 80

Electrician EL (Electronics) - 90

Combat Engineer MM (Mechanical Maintenance) - 95

Military Police GT (General Technician) - 100

Flight Equipt. Tech. MM (Mechanical Maintenance) - 105

Assaultman GT (General Technician) - 80

History of the Marine Corps • November 10th, 1775 The Marines were

established • The Flag The Marines use today has been the

same one used since January of 1939 • Scarlet and Gold were established as The

Marines Corps colors as early as 1925 • The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem have

been part of the Marine Corps  iconography since 1868

History of The Marine Corps Flag

• The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem is rendered in gray and gold over the scarlet background

• The ribbon flowing from the eagle's beak bears the motto: Semper Fidelis

• The words "United States Marine Corps" are found on the scroll below 

History of the Marine Corps Flag

• Flown at ceremonies and installations– Presented by the All-Marine Color Guard

• The Marine Corps flag hangs in important offices:– President of the United States– Secretary of Defense– Secretary of the Navy– Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff– Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Scout Sniper Requirements • Need to be one of the top three shooters in

their battalion• MUST be AT LEAST the rank of Lance

Corporal • MUST complete an approved Scout Sniper

Course • MUST have an Infantry MOS (Military

Occupational Specialty) • MUST pass PFT with a high 1st class

designation

Scout Sniper Requirements• MUST pass swimming qualification to earn

the designation of 2nd class swimmer with no signs of panic

• MUST Have vision that can be corrected to 20/20

• MUST complete infantry training after basic training

• MUST score 100 or better on the General Technical part of the ASVAB

Scout Sniper Requirements• MUST have no court martial or nonjudicial

punishment (NJP) for the past 6 months and have no history of psychiatric illness

• MUST be selected by your battalion or unit for sniper school

• MUST take courses at the Marine Corps Institute (MCI) such as Land Navigation, Patrolling or Reconnaissance Marine (It is also recommended to have practice in basic scout sniper skills)

Scout Sniper Req. Summary

• 12 requirements

• ALL must be meet

• Most require advance training

• No mental illness

• Stands for Military Occupational Specialty

• Different scores on the AFQT will make you eligible for different jobs

• Examples:

–Scout Sniper 0317 –Military Police 5811–Logistics Vehicle System Operator 3533

M.O.S

PFT

• Stands for Physical Fitness Testing • Everyone has to pass Basic Training

to get into the Marines then once a year minimum they have to take a PT test

Marine Corps Institute

• Located in the historic Washington Navy Yard at Washington D.C.

• Commonly referred to as MCI• Develops/maintains a curriculum of

Marine Corps education

MCI (Cont.)

• Subjects include:–Infantry strategy/tactics–Leadership skills–MOS qualifications–Personal finance–Mathematics

MCI (Cont.)

• Completion of MCI courses is generally required for promotion to the next Marine enlisted rank.

Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP)● The United States Armed Forces form of

military justice○ Authorized by Article 15 of the

Uniform Code of Military Justice ● Permits commanders to administratively

discipline troops without a court-martial● Governed by Part V of the

Manual for Courts-Martial and by service branch regulations.

NJP (cont.)

● Punishment can range from:○ Reprimand to reduction in rank ○ Correctional custody ○ Confinement on bread and

water/diminished rations (aboard ships only)

○ Loss of pay ○ Extra duty ○ Restrictions

NJP (cont.)

• Does not constitute a criminal conviction (it's equivalent to a civil action)– Often placed in the service record of the

individual.

• Primary missions: Conduct close reconnaissance and surveillance operations to gain intelligence on enemy and terrain

• Highly skilled in fieldcraft and marksmanship• Supports combat operations• Conducts operations from concealed positions• Usually work in two people teams

Scout Snipers

• Spotter:– Detects, observes, confirms sniper targets– Calculates range and conditions on target– Conducts reconnaissance and surveillance

• Sniper: – Delivers long-range precision fires on

targets– Conducts reconnaissance and surveillance

Scout Sniper Jobs

Choice of Weapon

• Use different weapons based on situation• “Basic” sniper rifle: M40 in 7.62x51 NATO

– Based on the Remington 700– Bolt-action

• Marksman Rifle: M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle in 7.62x51 NATO– A heavily dressed up M14– Semi-automatic

Choice of Weapon

• Sniper Rifle: M107– Same rifle Barret sells commercially (M82)– Fires the 12.7x99 cartridge (.50 BMG)

• Assault Weapon: M16 in 5.56x45 NATO– Mainly not used as a primary weapon

• Secondary weapon: M9 in 9×19mm– Semi-Automatic

Lance Corporal

● Pay-grade level: E-3○ Starting: $1,730 per month○ Max: $1,950 per month after 3 years

● Promotion to Lance Corporal is based on○ Time in grade○ Time in service ○ Conduct of the Marine