Fitness for Snipers

Physical Requirements

Before they begin school, snipers must meet a number of physical requirements. Snipers must have 20/20 vision or vision that is correctable to 20/20 and have normal color vision (not color blind). Snipers for the Basic Course must score 70 percent or better on each area of the Physical Fitness Test.

Training Environment

Sniper training begins after selection to a sniper unit and ends with rotation to another duty--even more than most warfighters, snipers are constantly training. Much of a sniper's training is done within a unit; from their units snipers are selected to attend official sniper schools. The scout-sniper basic course is 42 training days long, and the grueling curriculum means that graduation rates are traditionally low.

Training Begins

The first week of sniper school is largely about eliminating unsuitable candidates from the class. Just being an exceptional marksman does not mean a candidate will be a sniper. Snipers need a certain mental profile to be successful. They must be calm, patient, observant and be willing to pull the trigger when the time comes, among other attributes. Much time the first week is also spent on navigation, firing weapons on the practice range and learning the basics of stalking.

Basic Sniper Skills

The next three weeks are spent learning a host of other skills needed to be an effective sniper. The candidates are trained on how to recognize a target, the ability to observe and record enemy movement, how to call in mortar and artillery strikes as forward observers, and communication techniques. During these weeks, the candidates are constantly sent out on training stalks, both day and night. The teaching cadre increases the workload and difficulty for the students more and more as each week goes by. 

Fieldcraft

Sniper training focuses on two skill groups: fieldcraft and marksmanship. Fieldcraft is the totality of infantry skills used by snipers. First and foremost is land navigation. A sniper must be able to get to his target at night without a GPS every time. Stalking is one of the most challenging areas of sniper training. Stalking requires attention to detail, patience, planning and more patience. Stalking evaluations have historically eliminated more students from the Marine Corps scout-sniper school than any other skill evaluation.

Other Training Areas

Proper use of radio communication equipment is also vital to snipers. A rifle can be used to eliminate select targets but a radio allows the sniper team to provide timely intelligence, call for devastating artillery or air strikes, and coordinate contingency operations. Other skills that snipers must master include: basic demolitions, enemy vehicle identification, camera use or field sketching, effective information gathering, target prioritization, tactical movement, tracking and counter-ambush techniques.

The Ghillie Suit

Much of week two training is spent on the basics of constructing a "hide," or place from which the sniper can observe their surroundings and fire if needed, as well as becoming familiar with the "ghillie suit." It allows the sniper to crawl about while blending into the natural surroundings. The ghillie suit is made of either camouflage netting or a normal work uniform. Burlap strips are added, along with native vegetation from the area in which the sniper will be stalking. 

Marksmanship

Precision marksmanship is the hallmark of a sniper. Delivering accurate fire from a concealed position is both tactically effective and destructive to enemy morale. Developing such a level of accuracy requires constant training and a strong foundation. Sniper-quality marksmanship is largely a function of brilliance in the fundamentals. Beyond the basics, snipers focus on learning how to read wind direction and speed without aids. Wind and range estimation allow snipers to compensate for the most important factors that influence long-range shooting. These and other factors must be compensated for mathematically, and snipers are expected to memorize numerous algebraic and trigonometric formulas for use in determining adjustments to their shots. In training these formulas must be executed without mechanical aids, so it would behoove a prospective sniper to be sharp on long division before starting sniper training.

Physical Demands

The physical demands during sniper training are considerable. During operations, snipers carry loads, which are often in excess of 80 pounds, for long distances cross-country at night. They must do this quietly and without losing their situational awareness. If a sniper becomes too tired to continue help may be days away. Snipers must be in top shape, and must be able to motivate themselves. A great deal of sniper training is conducted at night, with little food, and for long stretches of time. A good sniper must learn to overcome.

Types of Physical Conditioning

In order to prepare yourself physically to become a sniper, you must be in top physical condition because you must be able to keep yourself from moving too much when positioning and acquiring your target. Acquiring a target involves seeing it through your peep hole on the sniper rifle for a long enough period of time to take a shot.

Remaining Stationary

You must prepare your body to stay in one incline or stationary position for a long period of time; it sometimes takes a long time to acquire a target. The best way to train yourself for this is to practice lying in the prone position, with the left elbow extended farther out than the right elbow and the spine as straight as possible.

Other Skills

In addition, other important types of physical control include practicing and adjusting your eye to use the peep sight on a sniper gun, and practicing your finger strength for pulling the trigger. In order to master these skills, you must actually practice them with a sniper rifle.

The Final Test

The last week of training brings the final test. With a 2000-meter approach, the candidates must move to within 200 meters of the instructors, who are searching for them intently through binoculars. If a candidate successfully makes it to within 200 meters, he must observe the instructors for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes have passed the sniper must fire a blank round and still remain undetected.

MOS 0203

The Military Occupational Specialty class 0203 is the ground intelligence program available to officers who meet certain requirements. Applicants must be eligible for top-secret clearance and have access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. You must complete the Basic Intelligence Officer's Course, Infantry Officer's Course, Scout Sniper Platoon Commander Course, and Ground Intelligence Officer's Course. Additional courses are available and even desired.

Physical Fitness Test

A first class score is required on the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test. This test includes performing 20 dead-hang pull-ups without releasing the bar, performing 100 crunches within two-minutes and running 4,8 km in under 18 minutes.

Disciplinary History

Candidates must have no Courts martial or non-judicial punishments with six months.

Swim Qualifications

Applicants must pass the Swimming Qualification. This test includes a number of swimming challenges. You must perform a 500-meter swim using either the side or breast stroke. You must swim 50-meters while holding a weight out of water. This replicates the ability to hold your gear out of water while swimming. You will tread water for 30-seconds while holding a weight above your head. All of these tests must be concluded without panicking.