subject: Sniper – lonely ranger or well trained team? [print this page] Sniper lonely ranger or well trained team?
Sniper lonely ranger or well trained team?
When it's mention the expression "sniper" most of us figure of the sniper games, like the widely known Counter Strike, or some film with alone ranger who is enigmatical, very focused and precise, works alone with his weapon that points with red light, just like the guy in the film Shooter.
If we try to define the word, "sniper" is a very well trained soldier, specialized in hitting targets with modified rifles from amazingly long distances. They are well trained and when it's about stealthy, disguise, infiltration, and techniques for observation. Even if most of the people believe that their job is to "pull the trigger", in fact in real life the true snipers work for the military and law enforcement agencies. They are far more concerned with the number of lives they save than with the ones they take.
Sniper's first mission is reconnoitring. These soldiers are experts of stealth and they are perfectly trained to sneak behind enemy lines. They give command with information for the enemy's size, force and location and focus their attention to the key figures from the enemies, like officers, pilots, armour drivers, technicians, and communications operators. Snipers shoot without warning and that's how they break both the enemy's will.
If there's no specific aim, the sniper is looking for, so called, targets of opportunity. They explore the motions of the enemies and wait quietly some of the soldiers to take a rest or to be not ready to defend him or hit back for example a pilot flight that is checking his helicopter, officer taking a break to smoke a cigarette, an armed guard on patrol
Often sniper's targets are not only people. Many times they have to destroy material targets like generators, transmitters, radios, fuel and water supplies, etc.
Snipers also find use in support roles which are based on taking a place that has a clear view of the battlefield, like setting up on a roof, and help the assault force by taking out enemy forces that are threatening the advancing platoon or help ground forces protect their position.
Military strategists refer to the snipers as force multipliers that means an individual or small team that uses special strategies. With that they are able do the damage of a much larger force and they are capable of force multiplication without ever directly engaging the enemy.
These soldiers move discreetly, under the cover of brush or night, taking with them very little appendage. Very often they need to stay absolutely still for hours or days, waiting for the right moment to shoot, but to avoid discovery at the same time. It may seem surprising to you, but they never travel alone.
