Scout/Sniper

hello i'm Jackson, i plan on joining the army into their scout/sniper program anyone out there been in that branch? i'd like to know that you think

scout/sniper branch? I think you are talking about the Marines. In the Army, in the infantry, we have BN level recon. They are referred to as the 'Scout PLT'. Also, there is higher level surveillance units. They are populated mainly by 11B Rifle Infantry. I have never heard of a program, coming out of Basic, where you will wind up in a Scout PLT. They generally hand-pick the guys in their platoon, from within the BN.

so your saying only the marines have scout/snipers?

Nope. I was an RTO, then scout/observer in HHC 1-327 Scouts for over a year. And our Scout PLTs have a sniper squad. But there is no program...no contract to sign up for in the Army, that will guarantee you a slot in a Scout PLT. In fact, 2 of the Scout SQD LDRs in my current unit, 1-502, came from my company. They were in a rifle company, asked to go to the Scout PLT, and were accepted because of their experience. As a joe, you can apply. Or if you are really high speed, and a SQD LDR from the Scouts sees you doing good stuff, they may ask you to go to the Scouts. But there is no program, no guarantee in your enlistment contract, that will get you there.

I had better add...19D is Cav Scout Observer...a whole different concept, a whole different job. Infantry recon guys....'Scouts'...are 11B's.

i just wish there was some school somewhere out in lets say georgia that was a sniper school and trains you to be an elite sniper do you could join the marine sniper squad and do recon, fire support, demoralizing, and scouting all in 1 job like in nam or something. ever heard of carlos hathcock?

Carlos is of course a legend. And you are correct....theres a sniper school at FT Benning alright...though your chances of landing that out of Basic are...rather slim. I think theres a thread with posts detailing the criteria for selection to attend the school-

http://www.goinfantry.com/forum/show...0969#post30969

[USMC Chuter]

Excellent info, Sgtbelcher.. A lot of young hopefuls tend to think that getting into sniper work or special operations is a matter of talking a recruiter into the right enlistment package.

Not so, lads. If you want to be all that, enlist into the infantry. Try your best. Learn how to be a grunt, get some experience, take your lumps. If you still want to move on, try out. I've seen many a kid talk about being sniper this, recon that.. And end up driving a forklift on an airfield somewhere.

I am a 19D - Cav Scout (SSG)... What we do as opposed to infantry is a matter of what unit your assigned. The Army is in the process of moving to a "lighter force" which means armor, cav and infantry units will be expected to be integrated a lot more than their current status...
19D will land you Ranger, Airborne, AAssault and Sniper when your ready... What has not been mentioned in this post is available billets. No - your not going to get any of these schools promised, it will depend upon the billets available to your initial unit. 19D's always have billets available, and your basic land nav skills out of AIT will be more than sufficient to qual for either Sniper or Ranger. However - b/f you go dreaming - I advise you take it step by step, master your IET and your skill levels 1&2 b/f moving on, don't worry if your not sure what I am talking about - it will all come in due time. Your going to have a ton of information dumped on you as is - that is why most advanced schools require NCO status or Corporal in a "leadership role."

[4fox4life]

A buddy of mine was in a Scout PLT, 100 BN, after some time he ended going to sniper school.

[Paracav]

I wannabe a Ranger, I wannabe a SF, I wannabe a Sniper, I wannabe a Seal. Time for a reality check. You have to earn these names. The qualifications are high, the applicants are many, the slots are few, and the training is extreme. Most recruits will be damn fortunate even to be a Paratrooper. Graduating from BAC does not make you a Paratrooper, it only makes you Jump Qualified. A large percentage go right to a leg Unit after BAC. You are a Paratrooper only after you have served, trained, and jumped with a Unit on Jump Status.

[SR-25]

A-men to that Paracav

[RFleischman]

yeah thank you for that paracav. and as for USMC having a scout/sniper program they do, because my friend was one, but i am not sure how to get into it. i'll ask for you though.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by 4fox4life

A buddy of mine was in a Scout PLT, 100 BN, after some time he ended going to sniper school.

Tru DAt but always have wishful thinking.

[USMC Chuter]

"yeah thank you for that paracav. and as for USMC having a scout/sniper program they do, because my friend was one, but i am not sure how to get into it. i'll ask for you though."

Well, allow me to pipe in.. You cannot, will not, no matter what, get into a scout/sniper billet as a boot. You go infantry, get some experience as a grunt, and TRY OUT for that kind of duty when you are ready and meet the qualifications. Even if you are experienced and meet the basic quals, there is zero guarantee that you'll be chosen. You can't get it in an enlistment contract, etc.

Gents, life is not a video game. I understand and appreciate the curiosity about special operations training and duty, but it's tiring to constantly read "I plan on going recon" or "I'm gonna be a sniper"... Join, do your best, and take things one step at a time. If you pack the gear to do the high speed stuff, you'll have your chance to prove it. In the meantime, think before you post.

Just an FNG Cherry here and don't mean to butt in but I figured I'd throw my two cents in since I am in my batt.s Scout Platoon. The way we select people is the Platoon Sgt's recomend the best DICK's on the line and when there are enough candidates and enough slots available in the platoon we start a 3-day ordeal called the Scout Board. It begins with a modified APFT to include pull-ups, followed by CTT testing, KIMS games, a reconnaisance mission at night, and LOTS of extra-curricular PT, especially during KIMS games. The event culminates with individual interviews conducted by a Scout Board comprised of the PL, PSG, SLs, and senior Scouts. That's how I was selected, other units could be different.

SCOUTS OUT

[USMC Chuter]

Thanks, you've reinforced what was said before. You got to your unit, got some experience, underwent the selection process, and were SELECTED for your duty. That's outstanding. I just wish some of the people harping about "gonna be this or that" would understand that that's how it works. It shouldn't even be on their radar screen until they earn their place in their respective service, in my opinion. As I've said before, I've seen many a "gonna be recon" recruit end up driving a forklift as a Marine. Nothing against that at all, but it's reality.

[dennisw]

Boy, the Army changed significantly since I was in the 25th infantry division(72' thru 76'). I was in the bn scout platoon for three years. In those days they gave us the biggest trouble makers in the bn, hoping we could straighten them out. We ran 5 miles every day and 10 on fridays. That would usually kick their ass pretty bad. If they kept screwing up, we took them helicopter repelling.

Good times.

[dennisw]

If you really want to go for it from the get go, the Army has an 18x program where you can enlist, go to basic/infantry school, jump school, special operations prepatory school, assessment and selection, etc. There are no guarantees. The success rate is got to be less then 25%.

That is if you really want to be sf.

[Turtledrive]

If you REALLY want to get this stuff you better take his advice and take the 11x option, 18x will come later unless they have changed things. 11x will put you into the infantry and then depending on kyou and lyour unit assignments the schools will fall into place. I had one guy we sent to sniper school and he had to qualify three times sucessfully and concurrently expert. That only qualifies you to go to the school, not to complete it. One thing I have a problem with is that new recruits see all the badges and tabs and want them all. Most often I hear these guys saying "I am going into the army adn I am going to be an airborne ranger". One thing they do not take into account is that the recruiter can only guaranty then the school, not graduating it. I spent 10 years as a 19D CAV Scout and I never saw anyone go to sniper school. The short time I spent as an infantryman I saw several go to sniper and ranger school.