But I can tell you how British Snipers are trained courtesy of an excellent article here, reproduced here with some modifications and additions of my own to bring it up to date. I doubt it will be much different as the role is very similar, its just that the Delta candidates are likely to have a better base-level of fitness, fieldcraft and marksmanship.

All British infantry battalions, RM commandos and armoured reconnaissance regiments are scaled for a sniper platoon of 16 personnel.

PART 1 - 2 WEEKS

Candidate snipers must first pass the Part 1 course run by Sniper Wing at Infantry Battle School Brecon where they are trained in the operation of the L115a3 and L96 weapon systems.

Snipers are taught and then practice various conventional and unconventional fire positions.


A potential Sniper during the cadre's 1st Range Day. Note L96 (AI Rifle) with Schmidt & Bender 3-12 variable telescopic sight with Mil- Dot reticule & Killflash cover. This weapon is being phased out and replaced by the L115a3

The Sniper must achieve a 1st rd kill on a man sized target at 900m: this is the Army's criteria for a Sniper. This is done via an individual firing between 900m and 300m on a badge test shoot. All practices are timed, many with double exposures. Targets are fig 11 - 1155mm x 450mm, fig 12 , fig 20 moving target, and fig 14 "Huns Head" (still named after WW1 Enemy).

The shoot starts at 900m and works down to 300m. Most candidates feel that the hardest parts are the conventional kneeling and sitting positions, which also hold many of the points. These are emphasised because often on Op's it not possible to get into a prone position to take the shot.


A good example of a student firing from the sitting position at 800yds

The second part of the shoot is done at night using the CWS (Common Weapon Sight, 4x magnification). Maximum range on the night shoot is 300m due to ambient light effecting quality on the scope.


Good example of a student using an improvised tripod, which was cut 5 mins prior to use. Note the bean-bag sock used with tripod and the Leupold spotting scope. Range is 800 yds.


A good example of the unconventional sitting position. Butt of rifle is rested on knee, stock is locked against lower leg, Sniper leans back. So long as crosshair is on target and the shadow around the sight picture is even it will produce good results.

PART 2 - 6 WEEKS

Following successful completion of the Part 1 course, candidates must pass a Part 2 course run at the battalion level by sniper instructors (who must have passed the Sniper Platoon Commander course at IBS Brecon).

While it might seem more logical to run one bug all-arms sniper course at the IBS, I believe that this approach allows for smaller class sizes and more time for the candidates to complete training and assessment serials. Centralised courses tend to be large, clumsy affairs with rigid timetables, and teaching the art of sniping requires a slower pace.

During the basic sniper cadre all the training and assessment is focused on the individual operating alone, even though usually snipers will operate as a pair. There will be 5 weeks of instruction and practice in the seven sniper skills (Sniper Knowledge, Map Reading and Aerial Photography, Concealment, Observation, Stalking, Judging Distance and Shooting)

This is followed by a “badge week” where the candidates must pass a test in each skill (except shooting, which was assessed in Part 1). Only one re-test is permitted in each category.

Sniper Knowledge

Understanding the tasks of a Sniper, Understanding the weapon system, understanding wind & range calculations, etc.. (Too often instructors concentrate on History instead of knowledge of the job.)

This is assessed via a written test that includes range and wind problems for the student to solve (and show how he worked the problem).

Map reading and Air photography

A Sniper must be able to navigate, pin-point features from a Map, and read, grid and scale Air photographs. This allows him to plan his task and navigate to and from his area of operations.

In the assessment the candidate must grid & scale an Air photo accurately. He is then taken to an unknown location where he must locate his position from this Air photo. This is followed by 6 problems on the Air photo, then 6 problems on a Map. All bearings must be within 10mils, all grids within 100m, and all distances within 50m.

He must also navigate at night over a distance of 8km carrying 40lbs & weapon in 1hr 30 mins.

Concealment

Snipers are taught to conceal themselves in a short period of time with the ability to engage an enemy without detection. This is in case they encounter an enemy on route to their area of operations.

This is assessed by the Sniper concealing himself 150 - 300m from two trained observers and remaining undetected after firing a blank round at the observers and having his position pointed out. He must pass this twice in three attempts. (Sniper has 7, 5, & 3 mins to conceal himself.)

For the badge test, he has to remain in position for 20 mins and observe three letter boards as well.

Procedure followed:

Concealment time
20mins Observation
Walker moves within 10m of Sniper
Walker indicates direction of sniper by pointing
Sniper given 10 seconds to fire a shot
Sniper has to correctly identify letter boards
Sniper must have correct range and windage on weapon sight
Sniper must be in a good unobstructed fire position (i.e. No stick shot)
The Sniper must pass all these criteria to pass the stand. He is up against two trained Snipers who are partially concealed (normally waist-down hidden) and armed with 7x binoculars. The observers only have two attempts to direct the walker onto the Sniper.

Observation

Snipers are taught how to scan, observe, and log what they see. This is so that they can detect minor details that may aid them in spotting their quarry, and develops their ability to collate information for their Bn.

To pass the test the candidate must be able to locate 10 military objects between 5 - 300m in 30 minutes using binos and spotting scope, then plot and describe them on a panoramic sketch drawn to a high standard. The panoramic sketch is drawn in a ten-minute time frame and is scored to a possible 20 points: 10 points for accuracy, neatness, and workability; 5 points for correct use of perspective; and 5 points for including a Left/Right of arc bearing, a North pointer, three key ranges, and a scale.


An example of a sketch from a training course.


An example of a sketch on Ops Kosovo 1999

The plotting of objects is scored out of 4 possible points: two points for a correct plot, 1 point for a correct object (e.g. a waterbottle), and 1 point for further description (e.g. Serbian Army, light green box shaped). Students can get points if they draw what they see.


Students have an obs kit room of 40 or so items. Items are of foreign origin. They need to get to know these items as these are the ones used on the stands. Only part of these objects will be visible. Criteria: should be visible using Bino's and identifiable using a Spotting Scope. Students are also given handouts of kit like the one here.

(Left to right, top to bottom: H&K Double Mag Holder; Serbian FFG LRG Beige; Serbian Marker Torch; Serbian Respirator; Soviet 7.62 Ammo Box, Sniper Ammo; Serbian Canister for Respirator; Leather Shotgun Cartridge Belt.)

Binoculars used by students are 7x42mm British GS that are self focusing (not ideal due to eyes adjusting to optics). The spotting scope is the Leupold 12-40 variable with mil-dot reticule.

Stalking

Snipers are instructed in the art of stalking, route selection, movement, and construction of a fire position. This allows a Sniper to plan his route to a fire position, move to it undetected, eliminate his quarry, and then extract unseen.

The Sniper must move undetected over a distance of 1.5-2 km, locate a partially concealed two man OP, move to a position 150-300m from this target, fire two blank rounds while remaining undetected (even after his position is pointed out), and extract from the fire position without being seen.

Sequence of Stalk:

Briefing and planning for 10 mins
Stalk period, time use up to the individual
Sniper moves to fire position and fires first shot when ready
Walker moves within 10m of Sniper
Walker indicates direction of sniper by pointing
Sniper given 10 seconds to fire a second shot
Sniper has to correctly identify a letter board
Sniper must have correct range and windage on weapon sight
Sniper must be in a good unobstructed fire position (i.e. No stick shot)
Sniper must extract undetected from fire position
As with the concealment portion, the Sniper must pass all of these parts of the stalk to obtain a pass. Emphasis is placed upon location of the OP (they only have a rough grid of its location).

The spotting scope is ideal for this task. (This is what eventually gave British snipers the edge in WW1 - a 20x spotting scope as opposed to enemies armed with binoculars)


Left: A good example of a potential Sniper who failed due to the cam on his weapon being the wrong way around. He was 225m from the observers. An addition of a hessian strip over his muzzle would have also helped his concealment. This is done with a loose flap draped over the front, attached by elastic or tape. It lifts on weapon discharge, then re-covers the muzzle. We teach the attachment of a shield of natural cam on the weapon to conceal the Sniper, not ballistically the best option but we are not in the target shooter's realm!


Right: A good example of a Sniper who passed using a combination of natural cam, trapped shadow, and an unconventional fire position: the lie-back position. Unconventional positions present an inhuman shape to the observer.

Judging Distance

Snipers are instructed in various methods and aids to judging distance. This allows them to correctly judge distance to their target prior to taking the shot

To pass the assessment the candidate must judge correctly 8 out of 10 unknown distances within 15% of the correct range using his eyes only. During training the same point is ranged three times, and must be within 15% using eyes, 10% using Binos, and 5% using Mil-dots. However, this is yet to be adopted for the badge test. Students must achieve 8 in each of the three areas. Two objects on the stand are man-sized objects and a key range is given to aid students.

CONTINUATION

Once the cadre is complete, continuation training begins. This starts the Snipers working in pairs and makes them come to grips with training for operations.


http://www.snipercountry.com/articles/britishsnipertraining.asp

Hmmm

op, you want turn assassin? ✈

on nairaland?

... state your intent be careful

I'm interested

yeye gimme an ssg or dragunov lemme scatter you head

ONE SHOT....ONE KILL