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thedrifter
06-09-04, 06:20 AM
Military police hone field sniper skills
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200466194613
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker



CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (May 21, 2004) -- Military police marksman observers, equipped with precision rifles mounted with scopes to increase their deadly accurate shots, took their sharp-shooting skills to the next level during sniper training here May 21.

Special Reaction Team Marines from the Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, are trained to handle S.W.A.T.-like situations, but they stepped out of their urban realm and crossed into the field side of sniper shooting.

According to SRT leader Staff Sgt. John D. Crepeau, who is formally trained as a scout sniper, his Marines developed skills beyond the scope of everyday police sniper training.

“Marksman observers typically shoot at distances of 200 yards or closer,” said the Missoula, Mont., native. “We’re pinpoint shooters trained to take head shots, but today we’re shooting targets at 400 yards and beyond.”

Training well outside their comfort zone, the Marines aimed in with the designated marksman rifles and Army-issued M24 sniper rifles, and practiced for a crisis situation if called upon for duty.

“They need to stay honed because they work in life and death situations making shots under pressure,” Crepeau said. “They have to make one important shot count because most of the time there isn’t a follow-on shot.”

Just like a lion stalking its next meal, the Marines developed shooting positions providing a full view of their targets.

“We go in and establish a good position, allowing us to keep an eye on the object or threat,” Cpl. Eddie L. Tesch said.

By logging temperature, barometric pressure, altitude, shooter and target elevation, shooting angles, and multiple shooting scenarios the Marines sketched maps to keep this vital information at their fingertips.

Tesch, a Seneca, Mo., native, explained that keeping the information on a map gives shooters the ability to calculate distances to potential targets and allows other shooters to use the data and same firing positions during a long-term crisis situation.

Locked and loaded, the marksman observers worked in teams of two. Their partners relayed vital target information to them by viewing the objective through a spotting scope. Sometimes the spotter’s own body was even employed as a shooting platform when extra stability was necessary.

“The shooting positions we practiced were just a way to add another tool to our tool box,” Detroit native Sgt. Shannon C. Moye said.

One shot, one kill is the calling card of a sniper, but perhaps their greatest asset is their ability to remain undetected.

“The thing I enjoy the most about being a sniper is nobody knows about me. I could be set up in a building or a car and no one would know I’m there,” Moye said.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200466194858/$file/Release0255-2004-02low.jpg

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — Cpl. Eddie L. Tesch, Special Reaction Team, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, uses a spotting scope to direct the fire of Sgt. Shannon C. Moye, SRT, during sniper shooting training here May 21. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/20046619522/$file/Release0255-2004-03low.jpg

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — Cpl. Eddie L. Tesch, Special Reaction Team, Provost Marshal’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Foster, uses a spotting scope to observe the impact of a 7.62 mm round fired by Sgt. Shannon C. Moye, SRT. Moye chambers another round in his M24 sniper rifle. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200466213216/$file/Release0255-2004-14low.jpg

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan — Looking through the scope of a sniper rifle helps enlarge targets, which are often many hundreds of meters away, ensuring the sniper has a clear shot at his intended target. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan Walker

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F5F51496535AED8685256EAB00829345?opendocument

Ellie

cjwright90
06-09-04, 08:39 AM
Awesome camera work, but did he take out the target? If he didn't, it would be because it is an Army rifle.