[AK]

As I understand it, US Army snipers (And if Yimmy or someone else from the UK knows, British Army snipers) target the following personnel, in this order:

Officers
NCOs
Communication Specialists
Fixed Weapon Specialists: Mortarmen, ATGM crews, HMG crews
Heavy Weapon Specialists: Machinegunners, M-203 operators, troops carrying anti-tank launchers.
Then the average line-grunt.

Is this about right?

 

[mele]

Nope, that is not correct.

Snipers are concerned with self preservation first, they are no longer a force multiplier if they are dead.

Always the first priority is the target that is the highest threat to the sniper team himself. If there is a sniper present, he's considered the highest threat. Then it becomes a judgement call. The two other big ones that rank up there as a threat to a sniper is a machine gun crew and a radio man. Radio because of arty. If those are not a threat, then you can select your targets of opportunity like officers, nco's, etc.

A tactic I've always thought was useful was to shoot the RTO and no one else. But anytime someone tried to get the radio, shoot him. Pretty soon no one will ever want to carry a radio in the field.

MEL

 

[AK]

Thanks. I didn't realize that the enemy's command structure was considered a "target of opportunity."

Mark Spicer (A British Sniper Sergeant-Major) recommended, if observing an enemy in a static position, to find their heads (The shitter, gentlemen) and shoot the first guy they see using it. Then, shoot anybody who tries to remove the body or clear waste from the position.

This really lowers their quality of life.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Jeffvn]

Yep Radio dude catches the first one (if you are luckey you get the readio too), assuming no one is threatening the swniper's position. Second is a high ranking officer or, if you really want to demoralize the bad guys, medical personnel.

JeffVN

 

[AK]

Really want to piss the bad guys off, shoot someone in the crotch.

Any rifle is an antimaterial rifle with something as delicate as a radio: Would you intentionally target the radio after you shot the guy carrying it?

 

[Jeff_850]

takin another shot at the same target? sometimes you can, sometimes you cant
im not sure anyones gonna want to go to the radio while they saw him go down from sniper fire

 

[12twist]

Really want to piss the bad guys off, shoot someone in the crotch.

You are evil!

 

[mele]

Really want to piss the bad guys off, shoot someone in the crotch.

Nope, I wouldn't even try that. Aim center mass like you have been trained to insure you get the hit. Remember, you are shooting at targets 300-800 meters away, lots of times moving or partially concealed. I don't like to do the hollywood stuff, I prefer effectiveness combined with survival

MEL

 

[Jeff_850]

Really want to piss the bad guys off, shoot someone in the crotch.

Nope, I wouldn't even try that. Aim center mass like you have been trained to insure you get the hit. Remember, you are shooting at targets 300-800 meters away, lots of times moving or partially concealed. I don't like to do the hollywood stuff, I prefer effectiveness combined with survival

MEL

yea
i dont think ive even seen that in hollywood
ive seen gamers do that cause they have nothing better to do

 

[Kamatz]

I'm no sniper so what do I know, but I think Plaster has a point when he points out the fact that officers and NCOs aren't really worth the trouble unless you're supporting a defensive unit - or don't have anything else to shoot at. As the "driving force" behind a successfull attack usually comes from NCOs and officers - picking them off can lead to one hell of a disorganised attack - which again might lead to a successfull counter attack by friendly forces.

Shooting NCOs and officers when supporting an assault is less usefull - compared with, say MG'ers and other specialist equipment - as grunts usually understand the simple relation between being attacked and shooting back no matter what the rupert behind him might scream.

As most things in the armed forces, I guess it all comes down to the current situation - and not what some field manuals says. Although the manual might be a good guide, it doesn't mean you should follow it blindly. In my opinion, at any rate....

 

[AK]

Nope, I wouldn't even try that. Aim center mass like you have been trained to insure you get the hit. Remember, you are shooting at targets 300-800 meters away, lots of times moving or partially concealed. I don't like to do the hollywood stuff, I prefer effectiveness combined with survival

I was being facietious. Damn it, I'd look that up but I can't find my dictonary and I'm trying to get this out before the power goes out again.

So target priorities are contextual: they depend on the situation? Of them, a sniper and any exposed vehicle crew top the list, no matter what the operation you're supporting is?

 

[muzzleblast]

From what I read here I think its something like...

1) Whatever threatens the sniper the most at the time

2) Whatever would do the enemy the most good at the time

 

[AK]

Basically what I'm asking, yeah.

 

[mele]

Yep, I think muzzleblast nailed it.

MEL

 

[AK]

Ten points to the "Good" Canadian on the "Bad" Canadian's question.

Next!