Frag Out! Magazine

Bar was raised high. Sometimes snipers try to cheat and they shoot through the grass or bushes. They remain invisible but they have enough view to see the signals given by instructors. To avoid cheating, our FFP had to be prepared as real shooting position. It was verified in easiest way possible. We had to rema- in on our position until all shooters finished their task, then in place of instructors a steel target was set. Everyone of use was given two live rounds to prove that FFP allows clear shot. If you missed twice, 50 points were removed from your total score. At the end of course you had to have at least 70% stalking exercises completed. The training scenarios were similar for every day. We spent eve- ning on our training activities like rappelling, communications, range finding without devices, etc. Last the day of the first week was a test. Our scores were verified and we were required to accomplish all tasks given. That was the way to check if we have necessary knowledge to work as a sni- per. Sometimes, funny things happened – once I hit 700 yards target straight in the head, instructors thought I am just playing shit with them. The truth is that my spotter made mistake in vertical adjustment and I was just lucky. So the second week has come. Now we learn how to plan and how to work as a team and unit. Monday was day of theory – command, communications, sketching, recon, passing the in- formation, planning. Stalking became a part of missions – basic ones but all the procedures and preparations were same as in real life scenarios. Briefing, plan, preparation, command and execution. Stalking was harder now – we had to work in pairs and two men are easier to spot than one guy. Shooting classes was changed – we were shooting without adjustments, sho- oting to moving targets. We were learning how to build sniper hides in terrain and in buildings. We build a hide which was te- sted by tractor overrun. Of course, our hide had to be totally invi- sible. Then we trained emergency procedures for contact with enemy so shooting with pistols and rifles on close distance. In the middle of that week I had serious malfunction – casing exploded in rifle and the gases went inside the rifle. Magazine broke away and all the ammunition hit the ground. I had to use rifle of my buddy so it was easier for me as I had not had to carry my own rifle. What's curious – I had better shooting group than the gun owner! Next day my rifle was ready and we focused on preparing the FFP, adjustments setting, shooter-spotter com- munications, loading the weapon, etc. Test day verified our new skills as shooting with no adjustments to static and moving targets on known and unknown distance. Lucky me, that day wasn't windy at all. Shooting at 500 yards, to moving target, with blowing wind is pretty tough. That time www.fragoutmag.com

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