Expert: Chris Wagoner - 1/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hey, First of all id like to thank you for taking the time to read this question.

I'm 15 yrs old and i want to be a Sniper in the Army or Police Force, I have been going to my local range which fires at distances out to 1000m, i would like to know how i can become physically and mentally prepared for joining a Sniper Team in the Army or Police Force, I am in good shape and do push ups and sit ups every night i lift about 25kg every night and morning and go for regular runs. If you have any tips it would be great. Thank You, Dean

ANSWER: Hi Dean,
Well its nice to see a young man looking ahead for a career. Good for you!

Your question actually requires two very different answers. You see being a police sniper is not like being an Army Sniper. So I will try to cover them one at a time.

First being a police sniper. In order to be a police sniper you must first become a police officer and then put some time “on the road”. Most departments require that you spend at least a year on the department before you can apply for the SWAT team. Then if you get on the SWAT team you can apply for the sniper position.

As for SWAT. Many people are under the impression that being a SWAT team member is a full time position. In 99% of departments its not, it is what we call a secondary position. That means that you are a patrolman or detective or whatever position you are serving in and a SWAT member second. You carry all the SWAT gear in your assigned vehicle or its carried in the SWAT response vehicle, and when you are needed for a SWAT call out, they notify you and you respond to the location and become a SWAT team member.

That’s how secondary positions work. Other secondary positions in most places are teams like Dive team, Search and Rescue and others like these that are not needed all the time. SWAT teams require a lot of physical and mental discipline.

In order to be a police officer you of course should keep a clean record, stay away from drugs and have a good driving record.

Military Snipers are a completely different job. In order to be a military sniper you have to meet certain requirements.

The first U.S. Army Sniper School was initiated in 1955, right after the Korean War cease-fire. The present U.S. Army Sniper School was established at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1987. The length of the school is 5 weeks. The Army National Guard Sniper School was established in 1993 at Camp Robinson Arkansas.

You have to meet these requirements:
•   Must be 11B, 11M, 19D, or CMF 18. (Infantryman, Cavalry Scout, or Special Forces)
•   PFC-SFC (Grade waiverable).
•   Active duty, or Reserve, or National Guard, must have a good performance record with no history of alcohol, or drug abuse, must be a volunteer and be recommended by his commander.
•   Must be in excellent physical condition (70 percent or better in each event of the APFT).
•   Must have a corrected vision of 20/20.
•   Must not have a record of disciplinary action.
•   Must be knowledgeable of skill level 2 tasks.
•   Must have a GT score of 100.
•   Must have qualified expert with the M16A2/M4 Carbine rifle within six months of course attendance.
•   Normal color vision must be annotated on SF 88, tested within six months of course attendance.
•   Must have a minimum of one (1) year retainability.
•   Must pass psychological evaluation (MMPI/CPI) conducted under the direction of a qualified psychologist.

So you have to meet those requirements first. Sniping requires the development of basic infantry skills to a high degree of perfection. A sniper's training incorporates a wide variety of subjects designed to increase his value as a force multiplier and to ensure his survival on the Battlefield. The art of sniping requires learning and repetitiously practicing these skills until mastered. A sniper must be highly trained in long range rifle marksmanship and field craft skills to ensure maximum effective engagements with minimum risk.

A lot of people have the misconception that to be a good sniper, you have to be a good shooter. Shooting is only 20 percent of the course at the Army Sniper School. It takes a patient person, a disciplined person, a person who is used to working alone. In addition to marksmanship skills, the school instructs on detecting and stalking a target, and estimating the range of a target. The course also covers concealment and camouflage, as well as observation exercises.

SO you first have to join the Army and then you have to qualify for this training.

So I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect. I guess my first advice is to decide which one you want to be. You could always join the Army, become a sniper and after serving your time, get out and become a police officer. That way you get to do both! Stay drug free, keep a clean record, and a good driving record. That’s for both the military and police. Then stay in shape, and get your high school diploma (a college degree is even better).

I hope this answers your questions. If you have any more feel free to ask. Good luck on your choice whatever it might be. I am Former Army myself, 3rd Infantry Division. And loved every minute of it!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for taking the time to answer my previous question, It is very hard to find good advice, my parents tell me that everyone that goes into the military comes not all there, they also ask me why i would want a career in a job that is just about killing other human beings, them saying this is very confusing. i do not know what to say to them besides, that i want to serve my country and that if i dont do it who else will. My Father tells me that he will not want anything to do with me if i join the military. both my parents are highly educated, and are disapointed in my C avergae grades, even though i am still in the top maths science and english streams, will these grades have an effect on my chances in joining the military?

What is a GT score?

Thank you agian for taking the time to answer my questions it is greatly appreciated

ANSWER: Hi Dean,

I am sorry your having a hard time with your parents about what you may want to do for a career.

As for people who join the military coming out not all there, Well I don't think thats very true, some of the greatest men in our countries history were in the military. Second its not all about killing other human beings, not at all. Its about protecting those that can not protect themselves. Soldiers stand between the citizens of the United States and those that would kill the citizens, take away our way of life or try to destroy our government. The military is not just about killing, its about protecting. Without the military what would stop those set on destroying our country from doing it? No one.

Same goes for being a police officer. You are the one that stands between the citizen that can not or will not defend themselves and the bad guys that want to do those things.

What better way to spend your life and what more honorable career than protecting your fellow Americans? I can think of no other. There is no more honorable thing than to gives ones life in service to your country and its people. Killing is only a small part of that if it is needed. And if it comes to that, would you rather have someone with good intentions making those life and death decisions, or someone that really does not care about his fellow man?

As for GT score, it stands for General Technical skill. Your "C" grades will not stop you from getting into the military, but you should strive to do better if you can. Better grades, better chances. This web page tells you about the testing to get into the military: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/asvab.htm

I hope this helps you out. Your father saying he will want nothing to do with you if you join the military is very shortsighted on his side. What father would not be proud to say their son or daughter is serving in the Military? Thats absurd. You may want to read this, and maybe print it out for your Father. http://shadowwar.joeuser.com/articlecomments.asp?AID=97150&s=1

I hope these help. Good luck and feel free to ask anything else you feel the need to.

PS: From AllExperts, please do not forget to rate all the answers (not just the follow-ups) from your expert. They appreciate the feedback.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much you have helped me greatly and i appreciate your advice greatly.

If my father does accept what i have chosen in my carrer than it is his loss.

Thank you agian

Sir, You are a great Soldier and Man, definatly one to admire

Thank you, Sir

Answer
Thank you Dean,

And good luck in whatever you decide. But before you write your dad off, talk to him some more and sit down and explain to him why you want to do these things. Then its up to him.

Stay Safe....


PS: From AllExperts, please do not forget to rate all the answers (not just the follow-ups) from your expert. They appreciate the feedback.


Follow up: Hi Dean,

Could you go back and rate the two follow up answers also please. Thanks..