Is a Designated Marksman a Sniper?

[Komissar]

Rifleman

By the early 1990s all US Army soldiers received 12-days of Basic Rifle Marksmanship instruction with the standard M-16/M-4 weapons system. This included engaging targets with open sights at ranges of
300m and closer. The M-16 had a maximum effective range of some 600m,
especially with match ammunition although regular soldiers were not
trained to fire to the longer distances. However the individual rifle
squad in the field was often lacking the support of a long range sniper
team, which handicapped them engaging targets with rifle fire more than
300m away.

Snipers

The United States Army has had a long tradition of sniping and snipers. Entire units of sharpshooters were founded in the American War of Independance (Roger's Rangers) and the US Civil War (Berdan's Sharpshooters). By the time of the Vietnamese war dedicated sniper
schools trained picked and specially equipped men to become detached
snipers. These snipers were held at the battalion level and higher and
trained to stalk and engage high-value targets on the battlefield with
optically scoped precision weapons. These men still exist in three-man
dedicated teams assigned to a sniper platoon and are trained to engage
targets out to 1000m with bolt action rifles and beyond 2000m with
specialized 12.7mm (50 caliber) weapons.

Designated Marksmen

What was needed was a squad level designated advanced marksman who would act in the "marksmanship gap" zone from the 300m top out of the standard rifleman up to the lower operational envelope of the dedicated
sniper teams who would take care of long range sniping out past 600m.
These men were not true 'snipers' in the meaning of they did not freely
roam detached from their unit stalking targets but instead were embedded
inside a regular rifle squad and supported that unit exclusively. These
squad level marksmen would engage targets of opportunity, particularly
those at distances that the regular solider with iron sights and the
standard weapon would have difficulty with.

[Sproket]

Did the DM get a non-standard weapon? 7.62 ammo, or super-long?

[Komissar]

The United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R) was a heavily modified M16-series semi-automatic rifle that provided increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower.

Upper and lower receivers:
The rifles were produced by the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) at Fort Benning, Georgia using either new semi-automatic ArmaLite lower receivers or existing Army M16A2 or A4 lower receivers previously supplied by either Colt or Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. All rifles were equipped with a fixed A2 stock and a Knight's Armament Company 2-stage match grade trigger capable of only semi-automatic fire. The upper receivers were flat-top style, but unlike the SAM-R and SPR, they did not have extended feed ramps.
Barrel:
The 1:7 twist, 20-inch (510 mm) barrel from the M16A2 and A4 were replaced with a stainless steel Douglas Barrels 1:8 twist, 20-inch barrel, with 12 flutes cut into the barrel to reduce weight. The front sight block was installed with 4 set screws instead of two taper pins. The SDM-R retained the A2-style flash hider.
Sights and optics:
The issued optic was a 4x32 Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG). A Matech Industries 600-meter backup iron sight was also used.
Handguard:
Daniel Defense M4 Rail 12.0 handguard, with an octagonal aluminum collar locking it to the upper receiver. The handguard provides a free-floating Picatinny rail forend.
Bipod:
A Harris S-L bipod attached to an ARMS #17 throw-lever rail mount was mounted to the underside of the handguard. Since the handguard was free-floating, it did not come into contact with the barrel, and any pressure from the bipod on the handguard did not deflect the barrel.


The United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR, 7.62 mm, M14, DMR) is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. It is a modified version of the M14 rifle built and utilized by the United States Marine Corps (USMC).The DMR is issued with match-grade 175-grain Long Range ammunition. The "basic" DMR weighs 11 pounds. The Marine Corps is replacing the DMR with the M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle on a one-for-one basis.

There are several notable differences between the basic M14 and the DMR.
Barrel:
A 22 inches (560 mm) stainless steel, match grade barrel by either Krieger Barrels, Inc. or Rock Creek Barrels, Inc. (Mike Rock Barrels).
Stock:
McMillan Tactical M2A fiberglass stock. This particular stock features a pistol grip and a buttstock with adjustable saddle cheekpiece.
Optics:
An over-action MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail sourced from either G&G Armament Arizona or Smith Enterprise, Inc. allows for the use of any optic compatible with the rail; this includes a rather large variety of military scopes and imaging devices. The most common scope used on the USMC DMR are TS-30xx series Leupold Mark 4 day scopes, AN/PVS-10 or AN/PVS-17 night vision scopes, and Unertl M40 10× fixed power scopes.
Muzzle device:
Most DMRs utilize the traditional M14 muzzle device, although since deployment in 2001, some DMRs are now equipped with the OPS, Inc. 2-port muzzle brake, which is threaded and collared to accept an OPS-Inc. 12th Model sound suppressor.
Bipod:
A Harris S-L bipod is used on the USMC DMR.

Thanks for asking Sproket.

[Komissar]

Army Designated Marksmen:

USMC Designated Marksmen:

A picture is worth a thousand words.

[Tank]

depending on the squad some would have 7.62 some would have different optics on a standard rifle depending on what weapons were available to the squad and what weapons they were trained on

[SCRAMBLE]

My grandfather was the DM or "sharpshooter" in his squad during WWII. He was not given any specialized material past a detachable low magnification scope he could take on and off his M1.

[Phoenix]

This is the mission I'm looking to portray. My rifle however is not powerful enough to truly take on that role, but its the look I'm going after.

This is some good info for those thinking their snipers while truly fulfilling only this role.

[Robcat]

Well i am sure you have all seen or at least heard about the film "Full Metal Jacket"...
Little girl with an AK took out how many Marines?
It happened alot more often than you would like the think during Vietnam

It has been my experience, in many conversations at the VA with Veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and The past two decades in the middle east; that a Sniper in its basic essence is a forward positioned rifleman with a concealed perch who has the know how and the courage to engage either single handedly or with minimal support a far superior sized force using stealth, surprise and terrain knowledge to not only eliminate the enemy but to defeat them down to their core.

you do not necessarily need any special equipment or training.
Hell a good farm boy who has been shooting squirrels, prairie dogs and rabbits his whole life could probably out shoot your basic military marksman when it comes to moving targets.

Now take an invading force and give that same farm boy a reason to go out in the woods and hold a line and I guarantee you that he will terrify the invading force with shots pulled of from distances and angles that would make their heads spin.

I love to preach about the Marines, Carlos Hathcock and our "Every Marine a Rifleman" jargon, Go figure, OHHRAH! but if you want real proof that farmers can take out the meanest and baddest soldiers then here is a Farmer/Sniper for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_H%C3%A4yh%C3%A4

505 confirmed...

yeah i would say anyone who can shoot and has position on the enemy can qualify as a sniper no matter what title or unit designation, training, hardware or region you go to...

just my opinion

[Bluewolf]

Nice bit of info on Simo Hayha. 505 confirmed sniper kills, iron sites only, and under 100 days!
Wow!

[Komissar]

Well, now that the can has been opened, I feel that I might be more definitive in my post. I appreciate all those who have posted above, (especially that of Robcat whom I respect) however the heart of this discussion can now be brought to light.

The word ‘sniper’ evokes some imagery of a lone gunman, undetectable, on the hunt. And while military snipers are indeed elite shooters who hide, line up their target and pull the trigger, there is a lot more to it than that.

To begin, there is a quick little bird in England that has been a tremendous challenge even with today’s best shotguns and ammunition. The ‘snipe’ has long been a target for accomplished hunters, due to the skill it takes to hit it. Hunters of the 1700’s that had accomplished this were referred to by the term ‘sniper’. We have long since moved from hunting with muskets to the modern age.

During the Civil War the common term used in the United States was ‘skirmisher’. Throughout history armies have used skirmishers to break up enemy formations and to thwart the enemy from flanking the main body of their attack force. They were deployed individually on the extremes of the moving army primarily to scout for the possibility of an enemy ambush. The term "sniper" was not in widespread use in the United States until after the Civil War.

Prior to the US entering WW1, optically sighted rifles saw very limited use. A number of troops under General Pershing had M1903 rifles fitted with sights and Maxim silencers when the US entered Mexico against Pancho Villa.

During WW1, snipers appeared as deadly sharpshooters in the trenches. At the start of the war, only Germany had troops that were issued scoped rifles. By the end in 1918 in the US, only a handful existed. Still, marksmanship skills were only part of being a sniper.

During WW2, most nations had dropped their specialized sniper units, notably the Germans who had such a reputation during WW1. Soviet snipers were trained in their skills as marksmen, in using the terrain to hide themselves from the enemy and the ability to work alongside regular forces. This made the Soviet training focus more on ‘normal’ combat situations than those of other nations. During the 1940 campaigns, it appeared that lone, well hidden snipers could halt the German advance for a significant amount of time. This prompted the British to once again upscale their training of specialized sniper units. British snipers were trained in the obvious marksmanship skills and now taught to blend in with the environment, often by using special headgear that concealed them.

At this time in the US armed forces, sniper training was only very elementary and focused on being able to hit targets over long distances. Snipers were required to be able to hit a body over 400 (436 yards) meters away, and a head over 200 meters (618 yards) away. There was almost no concern with the ability to blend into the environment. Proper sniper weapons were in continually short supply, and the older WW2 rifles and sights were showing their limitations, but the marines made excellent use of the 1903A1 Springfields. Many of the marine snipers still considered the bolt-action weapon and its scope to be the best weapon available for their mission. After WW2, many elements of German sniper training and doctrine were copied by other countries.

In 1965, there were no sniper schools in existence in the Marine Corps. The scout sniper had disappeared completely. It had disappeared since the end of the Korean War some twelve years earlier. (If you asked them if they had snipers, they would say we have marksmen. A military marksmen (DM) is trained in accuracy, shot placement, and many other skills. Sniper teams are additionally trained in things like sound-masking, irregular and asymmetric warfare, and more).

Captain Russell, a noted marine marksmen competitor, was put in command of developing and leading a sniper program. He was given free hand to choose his staff of instructors, and he picked five marine sergeants that he knew were all competitive shots. The men chosen were effectively the best marine marksmen available at the time. What helped give Russell an edge in developing a sniper program was that he was a top competition shooter, so he knew exactly what it took to put a bullet in the center of a target at range, and do it every time. What Russell didn’t know was how to be a sniper.

Different countries have different military doctrines regarding snipers and tactics. Generally, a sniper's primary function in warfare is to provide detailed reconnaissance from a concealed position, reducing the enemy's fighting ability by striking at high value targets and thereby demoralizing the enemy.

In modern war, the discipline and training of the snipers allow them to precisely target insurgents without putting any surrounding civilians in danger. The military sniper has had to reduce the range of his engagements in the fierce fighting that takes place in urban terrain which more closely resembles that of a law enforcement sniper. The sniper oversees his teammates as the fight continues in streets and buildings. He is the long arm of the battleground, any battleground.
A sniper is the training, the weapon, and the action.

An irregular-military is an organization without a standard military unit organization. Such organizations may also be called general names such as: guerrillas, units, bands, forces, troops, combatants, insurgents, resistance, revolutionaries, terrorists, raiders, paramilitary, freedom fighters, commandos, mercenaries, ect . . .

While the morale, training and equipment of the individual irregular soldier can vary from very poor to excellent, irregulars are usually lacking the higher-level organizational training and equipment that is part of regular army. This usually makes irregulars ineffective in direct, main-line combat, which is the typical focus of the standard armed forces. Other things being equal, major battles between regulars and irregulars heavily favor the regulars.

However, irregulars can excel at many other combat duties besides main-line combat, such as, scouting, skirmishing, harassing, pursuing, rear-guard actions, cutting supply, sabotage, raids, ambushes, and underground resistance. Experienced irregulars often surpass the regular army in these functions.
Special Forces sometimes use irregular military tactics.

I offer these pictures as examples of ‘Sniper teams’, ‘Designated Marksmen’, and ‘Irregular Forces’.

Snipers are trained to stalk and engage high-value targets on the battlefield with
optically scoped precision weapons. They can act as air controllers, observers, as well as being trained in concealment, escape and evade, and mission planning. In the US these men still exist in two and three-man dedicated teams.

Designated Marksmen are embedded in a regular rifle squad and support that unit exclusively. These
squad level marksmen would engage targets of opportunity, particularly those at distances that the regular solider with iron sights and the standard weapon would have difficulty with.

Irregulars may lay in wait to fire from concealed positions, rarely is their training or equipment that of a sniper, but more likely standard weaponry in the hands of the bold or foolish. They often act as lone individuals. Not observing, reporting, or calling in artillery or air strikes, but performing guerrilla style warfare.

Much of this information can be found on the web, but another source of information that I recommend is ‘Stalkers and Shooters – A History of Snipers’ by Kevin Dockery.

[Robcat]

Thank you Komissar, That was a very educating read...

[Phoenix]

Time for the resident historian to pop up. And those present thought the talk at "Return to the mountain" about WW2 guns was all they'd have to endure...

One of the main reasons most nation states failed to keep churning out snipers is this idea of honor and glory that war carries. Its why KNOWING that rifled guns firing conical shaped rounds meant one's target would now more than likely get hit, the armies of both the Federal government and the Confederate States of America sent their troops into battle in the same manner as the Revolutionary War nearly 100 years prior. Snipers were cowards.

The mindset went that, unable to defeat their enemies, the weaker army employed these "dishonorable" tactics. The British loathed (hate is too week here) the Continentals because they would engage while the red coats were on the march. The British mocked those soldiers for doing what they had to. Songs were written and the term "Yankee" was given to us, and not with the same love some hold for a New York sports team.

The Confederate States of America knew that they were out gunned, out supplied and out classed when it came to training. They employed some of the same tactics used by the Continentals, harassing the Union army on marches. As Komissar said, skirmishers played an important part in how a battle began. The skirmishers would advance ahead of the marching regulars, engage the enemy and basically get things ready for the real fighting to begin. I said earlier, in essence, that the tacticians held on to tactics rendered useless by technology, however that is really a general statement. in September of 1861 the Union Army took a group of volunteers, handed them the breach loaded Sharps Rifle and trained them how to shoot. The Berdan's Sharpshooters (2nd U.S. Vol. Sharpshooters) fought in several battles of the American Civil War as both advance scouts (skirmishers) and as snipers. After the war, just like after all major wars across the world, the sharpshooters were mustered out of service and snipers remained out of service till the next major need.

The harsh reality that conventional warfare would always be beaten by unconventional warfare (how can you predict the unpredictable?), led to WW1 being on of the first wars to employ effective (if not in many cases horrible) unconventional weapons (gas and chemical warfare), equipment (motorized armor, airplanes) and tactics (trench warfare, snipers). Quick side note: yes I know trench warfare isn't that radical of an idea and was used in previous wars, however to the extent and complex creation and use that was trench warfare in WW1, it certainly stands in a league of its own. Since that war, as exemplified by Komissar's article, the United States has utilized in part or in whole, expert marksmen to bolster the might of the US armed forces.

One thing for us as, for all intents and purposes, military re-enactors, to remember is that the number of snipers, and I mean guys assigned to sniper units, is very low. These men and women (I assume there are female snipers now) are THE best.

Komissar, excellent information, mine serves as me just adding some info I saw missing about the specifics about Civil War snipers, and the reason why sniper units didn't stick around after spectacular performances in war.

[Komissar]

Wow, this is great. Now I can start a discussion on conventional vs. unconventional warfare and tactics.
Hmmm, and OP ideas. And what are all you crazy people doing up at this late hour?