SNIPERS OF =VHB=
The sniper has special abilities, training and
equipment. His job is to deliver discriminatory highly accurate rifle
fire against enemy targets, which cannot be engaged successfully by the
rifleman because of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or
visibility. Sniping requires the development of basic infantry skills to
a high degree of perfection. A sniper's training incorporates a wide
variety of subjects designed to increase his value as a force multiplier
and to ensure his survival on the battlefield. The art of sniping
requires learning and repetitiously practicing these skills until
mastered. A sniper must be highly trained in long-range rifle
marksmanship and field craft skills to ensure maximum effective
engagements with minimum risk.
The primary mission of a sniper in combat is to
support combat operations by delivering precise long-range fire on
selected targets. By this, the sniper creates casualties among enemy
troops, slows enemy movement, frightens enemy soldiers, lowers morale,
and adds confusion to their operations.
The secondary mission of the sniper is collecting
and reporting battlefield information. a. A well-trained sniper,
combined with the inherent accuracy of his rifle and ammunition, is a
versatile supporting arm available to an infantry commander. The
importance of the sniper cannot be measured simply by the number of
casualties he inflicts upon the enemy. Realization of the sniper’s
presence instills fear in enemy troop elements and influences their
decisions and actions. A sniper enhances a unit’s firepower and augments
the varied means for destruction and harassment of the enemy. Whether a
sniper is organic or attached, he will provide that unit with extra
supporting fire. The sniper’s role is unique in that it is the sole
means by which a unit can engage point targets at distances beyond the
effective range of an ordinary assault rifle. This role becomes more
significant when the target is entrenched or positioned among civilians,
or during riot control missions.
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