Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Marine Special Forces/ MARSOC

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 12/5/2009


Question
I am very interested in the Marine Corps and Marine Recon and Scout Snipers. Which is the job with a higher risk factor?

Answer
Sai,
For such a simple question it's tough to answer.  Both have very high risks and similar missions.  The basic training of both Marines is extremely difficult.  For example, the Scout Sniper Basic Course is considered to be one of the hardest schools in the Marine Corps. The failure rate is normally around 60%, and often higher.  The Camp Pendleton course has been known to fail the entire course of students.  They both come from the Infantry career field.  A Recon Battalion normally has several snipers assigned.

Basically, your answer depends upon who you ask.  In my opinion, Recon is the harder and has the highest risk.  A sniper is trained provide CLOSE reconnaissance and surveillance to the infantry battalion, whereas Recon generally goes deeper into enemy territory.

Recon operates as a group.  They go in as a group and return (hopefully) as a group of 4-9 men.  Snipers operate in pairs or sometimes alone.  It's usually easier to attend to the needs of 1 or 2 men, whereas a group is more difficult.  

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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