I actually think this is a good idea....

[exitwound]

Snipers are human beings, too....

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/03/life.sniper.reut/index.html

I think that we as a society either have to accept that we need trained killers and that they need our support to do what they do for us....or we should find a way to abolish it altogether.

This in-between shit is a big part of what makes wars so horrible. Most people just don't understand what war is really like for those who fight it (whether they're conservative or liberal, for or against the war, is largely irrelevant) and although I don't see the point in arguing that this Jesuit school had a right to disassociate itself from this organization/the phrasing of its promotional materials....I think the message itself is important.

People have to realize that "one shot one kill" is not about aggression. It is about swift, skilled, efficient and humane warfare that is personal and real -- not hyped up and flashy.

'Nuff said. I think I'll be adopting a sniper myself sometime soon 8)

[Winter]

Snipers are human beings, too....

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/02/03/life.sniper.reut/index.html

I think that we as a society either have to accept that we need trained killers and that they need our support to do what they do for us....or we should find a way to abolish it altogether.

This in-between shit is a big part of what makes wars so horrible. Most people just don't understand what war is really like for those who fight it (whether they're conservative or liberal, for or against the war, is largely irrelevant) and although I don't see the point in arguing that this Jesuit school had a right to disassociate itself from this organization/the phrasing of its promotional materials....I think the message itself is important.

People have to realize that "one shot one kill" is not about aggression. It is about swift, skilled, efficient and humane warfare that is personal and real -- not hyped up and flashy.

'Nuff said. I think I'll be adopting a sniper myself sometime soon 8)I agree and I'm also wondering if there is a website on the sniper you would like to adopt? ;) Maybe something along the line in boxing shorts. :D

[commonam]

So, are they saying that DoD isn't adequately equipping snipers? I'd find that VERY surprising, and an embarrassment.

[Lou Cypher]

http://home.swipnet.se/sniper/sniper/history.htm

[exitwound]

So, are they saying that DoD isn't adequately equipping snipers? I'd find that VERY surprising, and an embarrassment.

The government can only provide our snipers with so much gear, given that there's a war on. There will always be one more piece of hardware that could considerably improve their field performance or their safety or their personal comfort while in action....and that's where private citizens can help, if they wish.

Really, there's plenty of other soldiers who need extra high-end gear too. But few can claim to make as efficient use of it as do snipers....

[Lou Cypher]

Snipers tend to take the government issue stuff and relegate it to the spotters as backup. They choose their own tools.

My stance? Any guy wearing a fricking bomb vest should be wasted on sight.

No matter where.

[commonam]

The government can only provide our snipers with so much gear, given that there's a war on.
Seems to me that wartime is when the proper gear is most needed!

There will always be one more piece of hardware that could considerably improve their field performance or their safety or their personal comfort while in action....and that's where private citizens can help, if they wish.
I can see that. But what kind of gear might it be? From the comfort side, I guess some good grub would be nice, or whatever portable furnishings that provide comfort during the looooong hours of boredom, without being conducive to sleep. Of course, nice bedding for when it is time to get some shut-eye.
Really, there's plenty of other soldiers who need extra high-end gear too. But few can claim to make as efficient use of it as do snipers....
Interesting. I understand that "regular" types, like infantry, would have to settle for less than the best in some of their gear. But since snipers get very limited opportunity to actually execute their specialty, I'd think they would have some pretty high quality stuff.

For example, are we talking about US Army snipers using stuff like scopes procured by civilians? If so, that's really got me stumped...like giving a fighter pilot the keys to a Gulfstream and telling him to provide air cover.

Thanks for the link, Lou.

[commonam]

Snipers tend to take the government issue stuff and relegate it to the spotters as backup. They choose their own tools.

My stance? Any guy wearing a fricking bomb vest should be wasted on sight.

No matter where.

Yeah, if they have a preference then they should be able to use it, of course. But it seems to me DoD should reimburse them for it.

I know any guy carrying an RPG near a sniper is going to meet Allah in a hurry. Read a good article on snipers in Iraq recently, I think in either Newsweek or US News/World Report. Maybe I can find it.

[Lou Cypher]

Yeah, if they have a preference then they should be able to use it, of course. But it seems to me DoD should reimburse them for it.

I know any guy carrying an RPG near a sniper is going to meet Allah in a hurry. Read a good article on snipers in Iraq recently, I think in either Newsweek or US News/World Report. Maybe I can find it.

Most true marksmen will laugh at any government issued tools. Somebody prove me wrong on that. But it seems to me that they will choose the tool of choice. Should the military supply them with that tool? Well, usually yes. As long as they're not practicing on civilians and such.

[commonam]

Yeah, if they have a preference then they should be able to use it, of course. But it seems to me DoD should reimburse them for it.

I know any guy carrying an RPG near a sniper is going to meet Allah in a hurry. Read a good article on snipers in Iraq recently, I think in either Newsweek or US News/World Report. Maybe I can find it.

Most true marksmen will laugh at any government issued tools. Somebody prove me wrong on that. But it seems to me that they will choose the tool of choice. Should the military supply them with that tool? Well, usually yes. As long as they're not practicing on civilians and such.
Makes sense to me, but it still blows.

Couldn't find the article I read, but found some other interesting (unrelated) stuff in the process. Google makes me ADHD.

[exitwound]

For example, are we talking about US Army snipers using stuff like scopes procured by civilians? If so, that's really got me stumped...like giving a fighter pilot the keys to a Gulfstream and telling him to provide air cover.

Actual weapon and scope hardware is probably not the top of the list.

But, maybe a night vision module which will give good resolution even in the middle of a storm, while the user is wearing their prescription glasses....

....or a special sub-vocal throat microphone so they can whisper almost inaudibly and still be heard clearly by the person they're trying to talk to by radio....

[USAPatriot]

Most true marksmen will laugh at any government issued tools. Somebody prove me wrong on that. But it seems to me that they will choose the tool of choice. Should the military supply them with that tool? Well, usually yes. As long as they're not practicing on civilians and such.

"True marksman"? You have no idea what you're talking about. When it comes to their snipers, both the Army and the Marines go all out. The snipers have their own armorers that do regular maintainance on their weapons and those armorers are recognized as the best on the planet. The rifles they put out will beat anything made by any custom rifle manufacturer anywhere. For a reference, look up Camp Perry. If you understood anything about snipers, which you don't, then you'd understand that something like a ghillie suit is not an issue item. A suit is made up for a specific purpose and locale and it's done by hand. Some guys most certainly do customize their weapons, but it's got nothing to do with whether or not what the government issues is worthy...they actually provide the best scopes available. One guy I know emailed home and had his folks send out a 40.00 piece of shit scope when he got cross-trained in the field to be a shooter. Why? Because he was used to that piece of equipment and simply didn't understand the drop compensator in his $3000.00 USO scope. Shrug.

[exitwound]

The Marines also have some really amazing custom ordnance facilities where they handload every bullet, build custom precision rifles for Marine Snipers nearly from scratch, and do all sorts of field testing.

Government Issue isn't always a derogatory term.

[Winter]

What about sniper contractors? I think they are equip with the lastest and best because there is more money invloved right?

[commonam]

Now this topic is starting to make a little more sense to me. I really find it hard to believe that the US military would leave some it's most critical personnel under-equipped.

But then, I don't know many snipers who I could ask for an objective assessment.

[Proud American]

Snipers tend to take the government issue stuff and relegate it to the spotters as backup. They choose their own tools.

My stance? Any guy wearing a fricking bomb vest should be wasted on sight.

No matter where.
Thats my opinion as well Lou,anybody that has got a freaking bomb wrapped around they're body needs to be dropped immediately to prevent any unesscesary deaths.

By the way Lou thanks for that sniper link,quite interesting.

[Proud American]

I sure would like to think our "snipers" get the best equipment and supplies they need,it perplexes me to think we need civilians to contibute to they're equipment needs.Im not positive cause I do not know any snipers but I bet they are taken care of as far as supplies and eqiupment go,if they are not thats a damn shame.