Goodbye to Romance

Books, movies and television make the life of the Marine Scout/Sniper look
glorious and romantic; but they dont tell the whole story. Marines from 3/8
tell what it really takes to be one of them.

By Sgt. Lance M. Bacon, MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C.
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After only a few hours of sleep, members of 3d Battalion, 8th Marine
Regiment's Scout/Sniper Platoon awoke to the North Carolina darkness and a
wet welcome left by the high humidity.

A short time earlier, the Marines had completed a 22-click (22 km) movement,
through thick, sharp vegetation and waist-high swamps. Today, they would
stalk their way to an enemy observation post where they would greet the
occupant with one life-taking shot.

But there was more to this day than met the eye. Despite their deadly
accuracy at ranges of 1,000 meters, the Scout/Snipers were to get within 200
meters of their target. To do so, each would have to move across vegetation
in varying shades of color and an occasional open area.

Nature also threw other obstacles into the scenario. The warm sun had dried
the ground which, together with a lack of wind, amplified the slightest
sounds made by the Scout/Snipers as they painstakingly moved through the
vegetation. Birds had sought refuge from the sun in the trees and could
easily be stirred by one wrong move. Even the slight breeze that did
occasionally blow ran over the Marines' backs, carrying their scent directly
to the enemy position.

But it was at that position where the Scout/Sniper's greatest challenge
resided. Upon the enemy post sat one of their own Marines, seasoned in the
art of sniping. Carefully poised with a set of binoculars, the Marine slowly
searched the area before him for the slightest sign of an intruder. Neither
side took their role lightheartedly; second place in this environment equals
an end to everything.

For many Marines, the thought of such activity is an enticing one. Fueled by
the image of snipers found in books, movies, and posters, many Leathernecks
would welcome the challenge of being a Scout/Sniper. Most of those movies,
books, and posters fail to tell the full story of life as a Scout/Sniper,
however. While such training is not uncommon in their ranks, it is only a
small portion of what the job entails, according to Sgt. Craig T. Douglas, a
section leader with 3/8's Scout/Sniper Platoon.

"It takes desire, drive, and a lot of heart to be a Scout/Sniper," he said.
"Operational commitments and tempos are very high-paced. The Marines here
endure a lot of fatigue, both physically and mentally, and have to be able
to remain proficient throughout. If you don't love living in the field
getting dirty, cut up, moving in waist-deep swamps, getting in fistfights
with bugs, and staying cold for weeks at a time then this isn't the job for
you."

To ensure a Marine can perform under such conditions, the platoon combines
an intense flow of education with a continuous training cycle.

"We give the Marines as much information as they can possibly handle," said
Douglas, a native of Athens, Ohio. "We go over the information time and time
again, pounding it in until it becomes second nature. When it's time for our
people to work, they only know one way to do it, and that's the right way."

But in order to do it the right way, the Marines must use a wide range of
resources. Since they usually work in two- to four-man teams, they must be
able to move over long distances carrying as much as 100 pounds each, and be
able to operate proficiently as fatigue takes hold.

The platoon members must also learn a variety of field skills since they are
often relied upon for intelligence gathering as well as sniping, according
to Douglas.

"Field skills are just as important as being able to shoot well," he said.
"The field skills of each platoon member must be far and above the abilities
and knowledge of the average infantryman. Each must to be able to call in
supporting arms and close air support. Because we use a variety of
communications equipment, we have to be as good as any radio operator in the
Marine Corps.

"Once we gather the intelligence, we have to get it back to the unit we are
supporting," Douglas said. "It could be the security of a landing zone,
whether the ground composition or obstacles will prohibit a landing, enemy
aircraft in an area, or a surf or beach report to assist amphibious
landings.

"Regardless of the situation, if we can't get that information back, then
we're no good out there. All we'll do is give away the battalion's intent."

While performing in that role, the Scout/Sniper must also possess a level of
discipline and judgment that allows him to endure the incredibly patient and
calculated movements required to probe, unseen and unheard, deep into
hostile area.

"Through the Scout/Sniper Platoon, the battalion commander has immediate
reconnaissance assets he can use beyond the Forward Edge of the Battle Area
and beyond his forward-most company," said 1stLt. Robert S. Peterson,
platoon commander. "The commander will need eyes and ears on an objective 24
hours prior to an attack. In order to get into a good position silently and
unseen, the Scout/Snipers will usually use 24 to 48 hours of movement time."

As a result, the teams are commonly in areas of possible danger 48 to 72
hours ahead of the rifle companies. Beyond the skills required by such
activity, the Scout/Sniper must also possess the marksmanship abilities that
have become their hallmark and a valuable asset to combat operations.

"We're called Scout/Snipers because the scouting role comes first," said
Douglas. "If you get to take a shot or are shooting in support of a mission,
that's all good and well, but the missions are primarily scout-based," added
Douglas, who has spent two of his eight years in the Corps as a
Scout/Sniper. "We will take a shot in various situations, however, such as
in support of light armored or amphibious assault vehicles when they roll up
for a hard hit."

Douglas admits that some Marines are interested in becoming a Scout/Sniper
because of the glamorous impression the posters and movies create. These
Marines, however, are usually filtered out within the first day or two of
the week-long indoctrination.

From those who have what it takes, though, a considerable fighting force can
be built. Doing so requires a 100 percent commitment, but Peterson feels the
effort is well worth the price.

"I would be hard pressed to listen to anyone tell me that this isn't the
best platoon in the division," said Peterson, a native of Sioux Falls, S.D.
"Each Marine gives all that he has on a daily basis, and has achieved
something not easily attained. To be a Scout/Sniper, the Marine must cover
the basics of many other military occupational specialties, but he must also
have a good working knowledge of the environment and be able to master his
own self. These Marines do just that."
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