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1 *FM 23-1017 August 1994 FIELD MANUALHEADQUARTERSNo. 23-10 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYW ashington, DC, 17 August 1994 SNIPER TRAININGCONTENTSDISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release;distribution is unlimited.*This publication supersedes TC 23-14, 14 June 23-10iiFM 23-10iiiFM 23-10ivFM 23-10v,FM 23-10viFM 23-10viiFM 23-10viiiFM 23-10 PREFACEThis field manual provides information needed to train and equip snipersand to aid them in their missions and operations. It is intended for useby commanders, staffs, trainers, snipers, and soldiers at training posts,Army schools, and manual is organized as a reference for snipers and leads the trainerthrough the material needed to conduct sniper training . Subjects includeequipment, weapon capabilities, fundamentals of marksmanship andballistics, field skills, mission planning, and skill left-handed firer can become a sniper, but all material in this bookis referenced to the right-handed proponent for this publication is Headquarters, United States ArmyInfantry School.

2 Send comments and recommendations on DA Form 2028(Recommended Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to theCommandant, United States Army Infantry School, ATTN: ATSH-IN-S3,Fort Benning, GA publication complies with the following international agreements:STANAG 2020 Operational Situation ReportIntelligence ReportSTANAG 2022 STANAG 2084 Handling and Reporting of Captured EnemyEquipment and DocumentsSTANAG 2103 Reporting Nuclear Detonations, Radioactive Falloutand Biological and Chemical Attacks, and PredictingAssociated HazardsArtillery Procedures AARTY-lSTANAG 2934 STANAG 3204 Aeromedical EvacuationSTANAG 6004 Meaconing, Intrusion, Jamming, and InterferenceReportUnless this publication states otherwise, masculine nouns andpronouns do not refer exclusively to 23-10 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONThe sniper has special abilities, training and equipment.

3 His job isto deliver discriminatory highly accurate rifle fire against enemytargets, which cannot be engaged successfully by the riflemanbecause of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or requires the development of basic infantry skills to a highdegree of perfection. A sniper's training incorporates a wide varietyof subjects designed to increase his value as a force multiplier andto ensure his survival on the battlefield. The art of sniping requireslearning and repetitiously practicing these skills until sniper must be highly trained in long-range rifle marksmanshipand field craft skills to ensure maximum effective engagements withminimum MISSIONThe primary mission of a sniper in combat is to support combat operationsby delivering precise long-range fire on selected targets.

4 By this, thesniper creates casualties among enemy troops, slows enemy movement,frightens enemy soldiers, lowers morale, and adds confusion totheir operations. The secondary mission of the sniper is collecting andreporting battlefield A well-trained sniper, combined with the inherent accuracy of hisrifle and ammunition, is a versatile supporting arm available to an infantrycommander. The importance of the sniper cannot be measured simply bythe number of casualties he inflicts upon the enemy. Realization of thesniper s presence instills fear in enemy troop elements and influencestheir decisions and actions. A sniper enhances a unit s firepower andaugments the varied means for destruction and harassment of the a sniper is organic or attached, he will provide that unit with1-1FM 23-10extra supporting fire.

5 The sniper s role is unique in that it is the solemeans by which a unit can engage point targets at distances beyond theeffective range of the M16 rifle. This role becomes more significant whenthe target is entrenched or positioned among civilians, or during riotcontrol missions. The fires of automatic weapons in such operations canresult in the wounding or killing of Snipers are employed in all levels of conflict. This includesconventional offensive and defensive combat in which precision fire isdelivered at long ranges. It also includes combat patrols, ambushes,countersniper operations, forward observation elements, militaryoperations in urbanized terrain, and retrograde operations in whichsnipers are part of forces left in contact or as stay-behind ORGANIZATIONIn light infantry divisions, the sniper element is composed of six battalionpersonnel organized into three 2-man teams.

6 The commander designatesmissions and priorities of targets for the team and may attach or place theteam under the operational control of a company or platoon. They mayperform dual missions, depending on the need. In the mechanizedinfantry battalions, the sniper element is composed of two riflemen(one team) located in a rifle squad. In some specialized units, snipers maybe organized according to the needs of the tactical Sniper teams should be centrally controlled by the commander or thesniper employment officer. The SEO is responsible for the command andcontrol of snipers assigned to the unit. In light infantry units, the SEO willbe the reconnaissance platoon leader or the platoon sergeant. In heavyor mechanized units, the SEO may be the company commander or theexecutive officer.

7 The duties and responsibilities of the SEO areas follows:(1) To advise the unit commander on the employment of snipers. (2) To issue orders to the team leader.(3) To assign missions and types of employment.(4) To coordinate between the sniper team and unit commander.(5) To brief the unit commander and team leaders.(6) To debrief the unit commander and team leaders.(7) To train the Snipers work and train in 2-man teams. One sniper s primary dutyis that of the sniper and team leader while the other sniper serves asthe observer. The sniper team leader is responsible for the day-to-dayactivities of the sniper team. His responsibilities areas follows:(1) To assume the responsibilities of the SEO that pertain to theteam in the SEO S 23-10(2) To train the team.

8 (3) To issue necessary orders to the team.(4) To prepare for missions.(5) To control the team during The sniper s weapon is the sniper weapon system. The observerhas the M16 rifle and an M203, which gives the team greater suppressivefire and protection. Night capability is enhanced by using nightobservation PERSONNEL SELECTION CRITERIAC andidates for sniper training require careful screening. Commandersmust screen the individual s records for potential aptitude as a rigorous training program and the increased personal risk in combatrequire high motivation and the ability to learn a variety of snipers must have an excellent personal The basic guidelines used to screen sniper candidates areas follows:(1) Marksmanship.

9 The sniper trainee must be an expert annual qualification as expert is necessary. Successfulparticipation in the annual competition-in-arms program and anextensive hunting background also indicate good sniper potential.(2) Physical condition. The sniper, often employed in extendedoperations with little sleep, food, or water, must be in outstandingphysical condition. Good health means better reflexes, better muscularcontrol, and greater stamina. The self-confidence and control that comefrom athletics, especially team sports, are definite assets to a sniper trainee.(3) Vision. Eyesight is the sniper s prime tool. Therefore, a snipermust have 20/20 vision or vision correctable to 20/20. However, wearingglasses could become a liability if glasses are lost or blindness is also considered a liability to the sniper, due to hisinability to detect concealed targets that blend in with thenatural surroundings.

10 (4) Smoking. The sniper should not be a smoker or use smokelesstobacco. Smoke or an unsuppressed smoker s cough can betray thesniper s position. Even though a sniper may not smoke or use smokelesstobacco on a mission, his refrainment may cause nervousness andirritation, which lowers his efficiency.(5) Mental condition. When commanders screen sniper candidates,they should look for traits that indicate the candidate has the rightqualities to be a sniper. The commander must determine if the candidatewill pull the trigger at the right time and place. Some traits to look for1-3FM 23-10are reliability, initiative, loyalty, discipline, and emotional psychological evaluation of the candidate can aid the commander in theselection process.