Army field manual 23 10

A position may have more than two sets of loopholes if needed to cover large areas. Loopholes that are not in use should be covered from the inside with a piece of canvas or suitable material.

This position allows the team to operate effectively for a longer period. This position requires extensive work and extra tools. It should not be constructed near the enemy.

It should be constructed during darkness and be completed before dawn. Using a position for several days or having teams relieve each other in a position always increases the risk of detection.

Routines in Sniper Team Positions. Although the construction of positions may differ, the routines while in position are the same.

The sniper and the observer should have a good firing platform. This gives the sniper a stable platform for the sniper weapon and the observer a platform for the optics. When rotating observation duties, the sniper weapon should remain in place, and the optics are handed from one member to the other. Sniper data book, observation logs, range cards, and the radio should be placed between the team where both members have easy access to them. A system of resting, eating, and latrine calls must be arranged between the team.

All latrine calls should be done during darkness, if possible. A hole should be dug to conceal any traces of latrine calls. Positions in urban terrain are quite different than positions in the field. The sniper team normally has several places to choose. These can range from inside attics to street-level positions in basements. This type of terrain is ideal for a sniper, and a sniper team can stop an enemy's advance through its area of responsibility.

When constructing an urban position, the sniper team must be aware of the outside appearance of the structure. Shooting through loopholes in barricaded windows is preferred; the team must make sure all other windows are also barricaded.

Building loopholes in other windows also provides more positions to engage targets. When building loopholes, the team should make them different shapes not perfect squares or circles. Dummy loopholes also confuse the enemy. Positions in attics are also effective. The team removes the shingles and cuts out loopholes in the roof; however, they must make sure there are other shingles missing from the roof so the firing position loophole is not obvious.

It must stay in the shadows while moving, observing, and engaging targets. It should always back away from the hole as far as possible to hide the muzzle flash and to scatter the sound of the weapon when it fires. The snipers may be located in a different room than the loophole; however, they can make a hole through a wall to connect the rooms and fire from inside one room. The team must not fire continually from one position. More than one position should be constructed if time and situation permit.

When constructing other positions, the team makes sure the target area can be observed. Sniper team positions should never be used by any personnel other than a sniper team. Common sense and imagination are the sniper team's only limitation in the construction of urban hide positions. Urban hide positions that can be used are the room hide, crawl space hide, and rafter hide. The team constructs and occupies one of these positions or a variation thereof.

In a room hide position, the sniper team uses an existing room and fires through a window or loophole Figure Weapon support may be achieved through the use of existing furniture-that is, desks or tables. When selecting a position, teams must notice both front and back window positions.

To avoid. Screens common screening material are important since they allow the sniper teams maximum observation and deny observation by the enemy. They must not. Remember, teams can randomly remove panes in other windows so the position is not obvious.

The sniper team builds a crawl space hide position in the space between floors in multistory buildings Figure Loopholes are difficult to construct, but a damaged building helps considerably. Escape routes can be holes knocked into the floor or ceiling. Carpet or furniture placed over escape holes or replaced ceiling tiles will conceal them until needed.

The sniper team constructs a rafter hide position in the attic of an A-frame-type building. These buildings normally have shingled roofs A and B, Figure Firing from inside the attic around a chimney or other structure helps prevent enemy observation and fire.

It presents minimal dead space but provides the team more protection since passersby cannot easily spot it. Lace or net-type curtains can be seen through from the inside, but they are difficult to see through from the outside. Set up well away from the loophole; however, ensure effective coverage of the assigned target area. The team considers the following options:. This can be done during the reconnaissance phase of the operation; however, avoid drawing attention to the area.

See rafter hide positions. The muzzle must be far enough from the loophole to ensure the bullet's path is not in line with the bottom of the loophole. When forced to vacate the position, the team meets the security element at the ORP. Normally, the team will not be able to leave from the same point at which it gained access; therefore, a separate escape point may be required in emergency situations.

The team must consider windows other than the viewing apertures ; anchored ropes to climb down buildings, or a small, preset explosive charge situated on a wall or floor for access into adjoining rooms, buildings, or the outside.

The following applies:. Urban areas vary in color mostly gray [cinder block]; red [brick]; white [marble]; black [granite]; or stucco, clay, or wood. Regardless of area color, uniforms should include angular-line patterns. Throughout history, battles have been won and nations conquered based on an accurate accounting and description of the opposing forces strength, equipment, and location.

As the sniper team performs the secondary mission of collecting and reporting battlefield intelligence, the commander can act, rather than react.

The purpose of observation is to gather facts and to provide information for a specific intent. Observation uses all of the sniper team's five senses but often depends on sight and hearing.

Information gathered by the sniper team is reported, analyzed, and processed into intelligence reports. The sniper team's success depends upon its powers of observation. In addition to the sniperscope, the sniper team has an observation telescope, binoculars, night vision sight, and night vision goggles to enhance its ability to observe and engage targets.

Team members must relieve each other when using this equipment since prolonged use can cause eye fatigue, greatly reducing the effectiveness of observation. Team members rotate periods of observation.

During daylight, observation should be limited to 10 minutes followed by a l0-minute rest. When using night vision devices, the observer should limit his initial period of viewing to 10 minutes followed by a minute rest. After several periods of viewing, he can extend the viewing period to 15 minutes and then a minute rest. While observing a target area, the sniper team alternately conducts two types of visual searches: hasty and detailed.

A hasty search is the first phase of observing a target area. The observer conducts a hasty search immediately after the team occupies the firing position. A hasty search consists of quick glances with binoculars at specific points, terrain features, or other areas that could conceal the enemy. The observer views the area closest to the team's position first since it could pose the most immediate threat. The observer then searches farther out until the entire target area has been searched.

When the observer sees or suspects a target, he uses an M49 observation telescope for a detailed view of the target area. The telescope should not be used to search the area because its narrow field of view would take much longer to cover an area; plus, its stronger magnification can cause eye fatigue sooner than the binoculars.

After a hasty search has been completed, the observer then conducts a detailed search of the area. A detailed search is a closer, more thorough search of the target area, using degree area or sweeps, 50 meters in depth, and overlapping each previous sweep at least 10 meters to ensure the entire area has been observed Figure Like the hasty search, the observer begins by searching the area closest to the sniper team position.

This cycle of a hasty search followed by a detailed search should be repeated three or four times. This allows the sniper team to become accustomed to the area; plus, the team will look closer at various points with each consecutive pass over the area. After the initial searches, the observer should view the area, using a combination of both hasty and detailed searches. While the observer conducts the initial searches of the area, the sniper should record prominent features, reference points, and distances on a range card.

The team members should alternate the task of observing the area about every 30 minutes. The four elements in the process of observation include awareness, understanding, recording, and response. Each of these elements may be accomplished as a separate processor accomplished at the same time.

Awareness is being consciously attuned to a specific fact. A sniper team must always be aware of the surroundings and take nothing.

The team also considers certain elements that influence and distort awareness. Understanding is derived from education, training, practice, and experience. It enhances the sniper team's knowledge about what should be observed, broadens its ability to view and consider all aspects, and aids in its evaluation of information.

Recording is the ability to save and recall what was observed. Usually, the sniper team has mechanical aids, such as writing utensils, sniper data book, sketch kits, tape recorders, and cameras, to support the recording of events; however, the most accessible method is memory. The ability to record, retain, and recall depends on the team's mental capacity and alertness and ability to recognize what is essential to record.

Added factors that affect recording include:. Response is the sniper team's action toward information. It may be as simple as recording events in a sniper data book, making a communications call, or firing a well-aimed shot.

Twilight induces a false sense of security, and the sniper team must be extremely cautious. The enemy is also prone to carelessness and more likely to expose himself at twilight.

During twilight, snipers should be alert to OP locations for future reference. Without night vision devices, the sniper team must depend upon eyesight. Regardless of night brightness, the human eye cannot function at night with daylight precision. For maximum effectiveness, the sniper team must apply the following principles of night vision:. Night Adaptation. The sniper team should wear sunglasses or red-lensed goggles in lighted areas before departing on a mission.

After departure, the team makes a darkness adaptation and listening halt for 30 minutes. Off-Center Vision. In dim light, an object under direct focus blurs, appears to change, and sometimes fades out entirely. However, when the eyes are focused at different points, about 5 to 10 degrees away from an object, peripheral vision provides a true picture.

This allows the light-sensitive portion of the eye, that not used during the day, to be used. Factors Affecting Night Vision. The sniper team has control over the following night vision factors:.

However, an overdose of vitamin A will not improve night vision capability. The sniper team may occasionally have artificial illumination for observing and firing. Examples are artillery illumination fire, campfires, or lighted buildings. Artillery Illumination Fire. The MA2 illuminating cartridge provides 50, candlepower. Poorly disciplined enemy soldiers may use campfires, or fires may be created by battlefield damage. These opportunities give the sniper enough illumination for aiming.

Lighted Buildings. The sniper can use lighted buildings to eliminate occupants of the building or personnel in the immediate area of the light source. Recording the type and location of targets in the area helps the sniper team to determine engageable targets. The sniper team must select key targets that will do the greatest harm to the enemy in a given situation. It must also consider the use of indirect fire on targets.

Some targets, due to their size or location, may be better engaged with indirect fire. To index targets, the sniper team uses the prepared range card for a reference since it can greatly reduce the engagement time. When indexing a target to the sniper, the observer locates a prominent terrain feature near the target. He indicates this feature and any other information to the sniper to assist in finding the target. Information between team members varies with the situation.

The observer may sound like an FO giving a call for fire to an FDC depending on the condition of the battlefield and the total number of possible targets from which to choose. The sniper team must consider the following factors when indexing targets:. Moving targets may expose themselves for only a short time The sniper team must note the point of disappearance of each target, if possible, before engagement.

By doing so, the team may be able to take several targets under fire in rapid succession. If several targets appear and disappear at the same time, the point of disappearance of each is hard to determine; therefore, sniper teams concentrate on the most important targets.

The greater the distance between targets, the harder it is to see their movement. In such cases, the team should locate and engage the nearest targets. Targets that disappear behind good aiming points are easily recorded and remembered, targets with poor aiming points are easily lost. Assuming that two such targets are of equal value and danger, the team should engage the more dangerous aiming point target first.

Determination of Location of Hidden Fires. When using the crack-thump method, the team listens for the crack of the round and the thump of the weapon being fired. By using this method, the sniper can obtain both a direction and a distance. The time difference between the crack and the thump can be converted into an approximate range. A one-second lapse between the two is about yards with most calibers; a one-half-second lapse is about yards.

By observing in the direction of the thump and near the predetermined range, the sniper team has a good chance of seeing the enemy's muzzle flash or blast from subsequent shots.

Shot-Hole Analysis. Locating two or more shot holes in trees, walls, dummy heads, and so forth may make it possible to determine the direction of the shots. The team can use the dummy-head pencil method and triangulate on the enemy sniper's position. However, this method only works if all shots come from the same position. Target selection may be forced upon the sniper team. A target moving rapidly may be lost while obtaining positive identification.

The sniper team considers any enemy threatening its position as a high-value target. When selecting key targets, the team must consider the following factors:.

Threat to the Sniper Team. The sniper team must consider the danger the target presents. This can be an immediate threat, such as an enemy element walking upon its position, or a future threat, such as enemy snipers or dog tracking teams. Probability of First-Round Hit. The sniper team must determine the chances of hitting the target with the first shot by considering the following:.

Certainty of Target's Identity. The sniper team must be reasonably certain that the target it is considering is the key target. Target Effect on the Enemy. The sniper team must consider what effect the elimination of the target will have on the enemy's fighting ability It must determine that the target is the one available target that will cause the greatest harm to the enemy.

Enemy Reaction to Sniper Fire. The sniper team must consider what the enemy will do once the shot has been fired. The team must be prepared for such actions as immediate suppression by indirect fires and enemy sweeps of the area. Effect on the Overall Mission. The sniper team must consider how the engagement will affect the overall mission. The mission may be one of intelligence gathering for a certain period. Firing will not only alert the enemy to a team's presence, but it may also terminate the mission if the team has to move from its position as a result of the engagement.

Key personnel targets can be identified by actions or mannerisms, by positions within formations, by rank or insignias, and or by equipment being worn or carried. Key targets can also include weapon systems and equipment. Examples of key targets areas follows:. Snipers are the number one target of a sniper team.

The enemy sniper not only poses a threat to friendly forces, but he is also the natural enemy of the sniper. The fleeting nature of a sniper is reason enough to engage him because he may never be seen again. Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, the Sniper Training Army field manual FM provides information needed to train and equip snipers and to aid them in their missions and operations.

It is intended for use by commanders, staffs, trainers, snipers, and soldiers at training posts, Army schools, and units. This manual is organized as a reference for snipers and leads the trainer through the material needed to conduct sniper training.

Subjects include equipment, weapon capabilities, fundamentals of marksmanship and ballistics, field skills, mission planning, and skill sustainment. The left-handed firer can become a sniper, but all material in this book is referenced to the right-handed firer. The sniper has special abilities, training and equipment. His job is to deliver discriminatory highly accurate rifle fire against enemy targets, which cannot be engaged successfully by the rifleman because of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or visibility.

Sniping requires the development of basic infantry skills to a high degree of perfection. Want more? Advanced embedding details, examples, and help! Publication date Usage Public Domain Mark 1. They are popularly referred to as Springfield rifles figs.

The MA4 weighs approximately 9. The bayonet weighs an additional pound. The ammunition is loaded in clips of five rounds. Ammunition bandoleers for these rifles have six pockets with a total capacity of 60 rounds.