Frag Out! Magazine

Next step was the long walk on shooting range, so we could write down all basic data about 800 yards targets to our data- books. We were running almost all the time as we had to be as quickly as possible on every rally point. From every task we had some lessons learn. The more mistakes you are make, the more you learn and the whole sniper course was conducted in such way we had many possibilities to make mistake If instructor tells you that you have to take 150 rounds and all the stuff you think might be necessary, this is what he really want from you. On the first day I had backpack, drag bag, water, poncho with woobie, three MRE's, wedgie for stock, saw, e-tool, duct tape roll and shitload of other stuff. On the last day of course lot of them were left in camp – if I don't need them, why should I carry them? Moreover, the time limits for getting from one RP (rally point) to another was shorter and shorter every day. Once I scre- wed up, because I haven't prepared my weapon on Final Firing Position aka FFP and I didn't meet the time limit to engage the pop up target. From that time, the first thing I did on the FFP was making the weapon ready. You have to learn fast because if you made to many mistakes, you will get your as fired from co- urse. The first person was dropped after first 60 minutes of field training. Instructors said it wasn't a record. On same day we were introduced into stalking and how to move in terrain. The instructors explained to us how to choose good firing position with good cover, field of view and for best shot. Then we made our first stalk. The last part of that day was tar- get indicating, sketching and KIM games – what might be most interesting, most of the student usually fail those last two parts. Memorizing and observation skills are really hard to learn so we spent a lot of time, even during R&R to exercise them. When it was light enough, we spent time on observation, when it was dark, we did KIM games wherever possible. If we wouldn't train so much, we would fail the course. It was said many times before but let's clarify that once again – sniper is not just an excellent shooter but PRIMARILY he is a scout who is able to track the ene- my and to pass the information to HQ without being detected. He has to have knowledge, skills and proper gear. Every first day of each week started similarly. FBI qual with cold zero, shooting to stationary targets on known and unknown distance (you had to range the target on your own) from 200 to 800 yards. Just to let you know, using GPS or laser ranger finders is strictly prohibited. Then tracking, stalking, KIM games and so on. Stalking part is extremely exhausting – once I've read about one guy who claimed that he does not carry any water under his ghillie suit because water is getting warm after some time. I don't know what he was doing with his suit but surely it www.fragoutmag.com

• Cover