Sniper Comp at Bragg.

[longrange1947]

A little slow here posting and don't know if it is old news but:

The first and second place teams were 3/75th Guys with the 3d place team being out of 3d SFG(A)

The first place individual was from 3/75th, Second place was 1st SFG(A), and Third Place was a SEAL from the West Coast teams.

Will not post names as them are all active duty guys so don't ask.

You guys can find out whos who through your channels if you are legit.

[The Reaper]

Hmm, I understood the high shooter to be from 3/75, not 3/7.

TR

[longrange1947]

Hmm, I understood the high shooter to be from 3/75, not 3/7.

TR
IT is 3/75th, dam typos and late. :(

[Huey14]

Is it OK to ask what kind of tests are involved?

[The Reaper]

Is it OK to ask what kind of tests are involved?

Mostly shooting, and sniper skills.

There is a link here on another thread to a newspaper article on it, with a video.

TR

[Huey14]

Thanks, TR.

[frostfire]

Typical article - mostly fluff. The (3rd Annual) competition was a lot more than this article would have you believing. One of our own competed, maybe we can persuade him to expound on the interesting parts. Overall it seemed to be a very successful event. I attended the awards banquet and was impressed with the calibre of the competitors. The winners made out like bandits

Peregino - I believe the paper was placed under restictions on what they could report.


Based on the info given in the article, is it OK to ask if the winning team/individual is the one with the tripod?

EDIT: thanks for the response longrange1947. With all due respect, I found your bio the most quirky on this site and got a chuckle or two out of it.

[longrange1947]

I can not say as I do not know, however, a number of teams used various forms of tripods to shoot from during the comp. The shooters were placed under various restrictions on shooting and one event required that the shooter's muzzle be atleast two feet above the ground to simulate shooitng in high foliage. How they did it was up to them. Some used observer supported and others used tripods, some used tall Harris bipods or crossed shooting sticks.

Each comp given each year has different events to prevent G2ing the course of fire and events. It also varies the schedule as to when somethings will occur, as some form of a stalk and known distance shooitng and unknown distance shooitng will have to occur. We prevent the competitors form knowing when or exactly what is going to occur.

[Doc]

Sounds like a really good program on multiple fronts. Thanks for posting this.

Doc

[optactical]

It was a great competition, indeed. I placed 8th, my partner 7th out of 32 competitors. My buddy was in the running for 3rd up until the last day, that damn 600m shooting event with the barrel 24 inches off the ground got him, plus I had a bad day on the second day which didn't help our score. My moment in the sun was hitting 3 of 10 at 600 seated unsupported, it was some sort of act of god, considering the sling I used was from Wal-Mart and my reticle was dancing a jig on the target which was half an FBI silhouette.

It was definitely an eye opener as to new training to do, and some new equipment to either purchase, scrounge or fabricate from existing stuff we have, some of it very rudimentary, but definitely useful (ahem, shooting tripods).

Basically most events put us on the clock, and incorporated multiple skills, to include known distance, unknown distance, stalking, holds and of course night fires. I won't go any further unless cleared to post my informal AAR, just think test days in SOTIC on steroids.

The weather was the real problem, and atomospheric effects were rampant. Our guns were doped on steel (not the best idea, but you go with what you got) at an altitude of 2400 ft MSL at about 50-70 degrees, we then shot again at 400 ft MSL at about 80 degrees, and the competition was at about 200(?) ft MSL and ranged from 40-70 degrees. Next time I am bringing my Kestrel, and a better rangefinder, that is for sure.

I'd like to thank the commitee again for putting on the event, providing ammo for us folks who are stationed very far away and definitely a big thanks to the SFA Chapter from Fayetteville for the use of the team house for the closing ceremony.

[The Reaper]

Glad that you enjoyed it, be sure to stop by the SureFire booth next time.

TR

[longrange1947]

Let me check with the NCOIC of hte Comp and the NCOIC of SOTIC and I will see if they will let you post an informal AAR here.

TR - Just spent a bit of time killing some brain cells with one of the guys you had in Miss dong some shooting. He liked the time on the trigger. :D

Me, I am trying to regenerae some of those brain cells. Let me know if you need someone old fart to shoot up a bunch of ammo. :munchin

[longrange1947]

Optactical, can't get ahold of anyone, wonder why, go ahead and post an AAR of the comp if you want to. I'll take the heat if it is a bad thing. The comp is over and I am sure that the guys have all talked about what went on during it.
If you were cautioned on talking about certain aspects then respect those aspects. Other than that, go for it. :munchin

[optactical]

Abridged version: actual eval criteria left out in most cases, please bear that in mind while reading this.

LESSONS LEARNED, SOCOM SNIPER COMPETITION 5-9 DECEMBER 2005

Events (100 points per)

1. Snaps and movers, 300m, Daytime
20 rounds per competitor, 10 snaps, 10 movers

2. Know your limitations, 400m, Daytime
1 round per competitor, tests the competitors understandings of his own limitations based on various MOA based size targets and what he feels he can hit.

3. Known distance shoot 400, 500, 600, 800m, Daytime, head shots only

4. Stalk, Individual, Daytime, within 200m of target.

5. Snaps and movers, Night time, 300m

6. Stalk, Individual, Daytime, same standards

7. Written Exam, 50 question

8. Unknown distance stress shoot #1, hold offs, daytime, 5 targets, timed

9. Stress test, MOUT site

10. Grouping exercise, 120m

11. One shot, one kill, daytime

12. Night Unknown distance

13. Stress shoot, daytime (200 Point event)

14. Daytime, 600m, alternate position shoot


Okay folks that's the events in a very brief format, I have the particulars if you need them, PM me your AKO or NIPR email and I will hook you up with times etc. You must be a verifiable eligible competitor or retiree, ie from the SOCOM community, past or present. I don't consider this info close hold, it was a shooting competition, however, I have not had clearance to post it. If you are in a unit that another competitor is or was in then it would be the same as a conversation with said individual and therefore violates nothing.

Now for the lessons learned part for my specific team:

EQUIPMENT NEEDED (for attendance):

Weapon, with optics, and magazines (if applicable)
NVG capable system
PEQ or IR spotlight is helpful and recommended
Tripod or Bipod other than one on gun for alternate position shooting and stalks
Rangefinder, Leica Viper is best, NVG compatible is helpful
Data book and wind formulas
Cleaning kit
Shooting gloves or mitt
Sling, tactical intervention is best
Ghillie suit
Kestrel wind meter

PRIOR TRAINING:

Read above events and be ready for anything in them
Arrive in shape, some events are physical
Know hold-offs
Know milling
Know wind calls
Atmospheric effects on ammo (especially if coming from overseas location)

NEW EQUIPMENT TO ORDER BASED ON LESSONS LEARNED:

Leica Vipers (NSN?)
Tripods, tall bipods
Pole-Cat bipod and tripod systems
Hoppes boresnake kits (great for quick cleaning)
Kestrel per SO team

TRAINING TO WORK ON BASED ON LESSONS LEARNED:

Milling
Wind classes
Danger space classes
Alternate position shooting
Stress shoots
Atmospheric conditions
Unknown distance shooting, timed exercises
Grouping exercises
Hold-off shooting
Night time milling
Night snaps and movers

That is what I typed right after the closing ceremony, take it for what it is worth, the competition was a big eye opener. What I have layed down here in no way compares to the TTPs learned from fellow competitors who have spent time in the the box, that was the main reason I attended and is the reason I walked away with a warm fuzzy from the whole event. The guys from B 2/3, and 3/75 had a wealth of on hands info to share, and the C 3/7 guys were very helpfull as well, thanks to all of you.

As much as some people may be pissed that the Rangers won the whole show, there is a (small) lesson to be learned there: Having a dedicated unit that does nothing but sniping and has exterior support (leaving them time for training) isn't that bad of an idea, just food for thought, not the seeds for extended internet discussion.

For those who attended and don't know who I am, day 1 I did a slide show that included pictures of a couple Walabees and a Lizard. ;)

Merry Christmas all!!!

[longrange1947]

Good Post. I recommend that the units get a sniper locker that lays on training four times a year minimum and trains who ever is free and shows up for training. Most units have the sniper locker, they just don't get supported the way they should.

You can not train in a vacum and you need support.

Op Tac, your Tm Daddy have initials of DO? If so tell him I said hi. :)

[optactical]

DO? Not us dude, I do know some former cadre with those intials, haven't seen them since 02 though.

Great point on the locker, that is an ideal situation, considering the requirement for trained guys on every team, and SWSs being an MTOE item (open source info folks) it really should be treated the way we do everything else....a quarterly refresher is ideal. Shit, we jump every quarter, and I can guarantee SWSs get used more than static line parachutes in a combat situation.