Scout Sniper Training and Operations Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the Scout Sniper lecture notes, covering core tactical definitions, marksmanship principles, and ballistics.

Scout Sniper

A Marine highly skilled in field-craft and marksmanship, who delivers long range precision fires on selected targets from concealed positions in support of combat operations.

Scout Sniper Mission

A detachment of one or more teams performing an assigned task of engaging selected targets, targets of opportunity, collecting and reporting information, or a combination of all contributing to the accomplishment of the supported units mission.

Target Indicator

Anything a marine does or fails to do that reveals his position, presence, or passage to the enemy.

5 Target Indicators

Sound, Movement, Disturbance of Wildlife, Odor, and Improper Camouflage (shine, outline, contrast of background).

Camouflage

The concealment of personnel or material from an enemy by making them appear natural.

3 Methods of Camouflage

Striping, Blotching, and Combination.

3 Types of Camouflage

Hiding, Blending, and Deceiving.

Stalking

Sniper art of moving undetected into a firing position within range that will ensure the elimination of selected targets and then withdrawing undetected.

Selected Targets

Those targets that will have the most profound impact on the outcome of the battle and the enemy’s ability to wage war.

Overlay

A description of a unit depicting communications plan, routes, fire support, code words, and general information which is used to monitor the team’s progress for a specific mission.

RIGS (4 Phases of an Attack)

Recon, Isolate, Gain a Foothold, Secure a Foothold.

Observation

The acquisition of facts and the recording of specific information, pertaining to the perception of details regarding persons, objects, places, and events.

Surveillance

The all-weather, day and night, continuous systematic observation of the battlefield for intelligence purposes.

Reconnaissance

A mission undertaken to obtain information about the activities or resources of an enemy or potential enemy. Reconnaissance is finite in scope and time and has a specific objective.

Information

The unevaluated material of every description including that derived from observation, communication, reports, rumors, imagery and other resources.

Intelligence

The product resulting from the collection, evaluation, and interpretation of information which concerns one or more aspects of a foreign nation, or of functional or geographic areas, and which is immediately or potentially significant to the development and execution of plans, policies, and operations.

CCIR (Commanders Critical Intelligence Requirements)

Identify information on friendly activities, enemy activities, and the environment that the commander deems critical to maintaining situational awareness and planning future activities and assisting in timely decision making.

PIR (Priority Intelligence Requirements)

An intelligence requirement associated with a decision that will critically affect the overall success of the commands mission.

OIR (Other Intelligence Requirements)

Pertain to the collection of information on other capabilities, vulnerabilities, and characteristics of the area of operations, which may affect the accomplishment of the mission.

Target Acquisition

The detection, location, and identification of a target with sufficient accuracy or detail to permit the effective employment of weapons.

Parallax

The apparent movement of the reticle across the target when the position of the head is slightly moved.

Line of Sight

The optical axis that runs through the center of the lens and the intersection of the crosshairs.

Sight Alignment

The relationship between the reticle and the full field of view as seen by the shooter.

Sight Picture

The relationship between the reticle and the full field of view and the target as seen by the shooter.

Natural Point of Aim

The point at which the rifle naturally rests in relation to the target.

Trigger Control

The skillful manipulation of the trigger that causes the rifle to fire without causing the weapon or recital to move when sight picture is at its best.

Follow Through

The continued application of the fundamentals of marksmanship until the rifle has completed the process of recoil.

Internal Ballistics

The science of a projectile’s motion within the rifle.

External Ballistics

The science of the bullet in flight.

Terminal Ballistics

The science of a bullets motion and action from the instant of initial impact with the target until it stops.

Wound Ballistics

The motion of the bullet though the human body, its interaction with living tissue, and the effects which gunshot wounds have on people.

Immediate Incapacitation

The sudden physical or mental inability to initiate or complete any physical act (e.g., Circuitry Shots, Hydraulic Shots).

Range Card

A reference guide which a sniper uses to make rapid, accurate estimates of range to target which he may locate in the course of his observation.

Positive Space

A space that takes up mass, such as buildings, trees, signs, and vehicles.

Negative Space

The Space between the positive spaces.

Baseline

A basis for comparison, a reference point against which other things can be evaluated.

Situational Awareness

The degree of accuracy by which one’s perception of his current environment mirrors reality.

Combat Profiling

A method of proactively identifying enemy personnel, or threats based on an analysis of previous attacks and behavior patterns exhibited in all humans.

Ghillie Suit

A camouflage uniform or outer garment with irregular patterns of garnish or netting attached to it, used to assist the sniper in blending in with his surroundings.

Hide

A scout snipers position which he has constructed in a specific location suitable for sniper operations, providing observation, fire, cover, and concealment.

Warning Order

An advanced notice of an order or action to follow that provides subordinates with the time and information needed to place the team in high state of readiness.

First Focal Plane

A scope design where the target and the reticle are on the same focal plane; as magnification increases or decreases, the reticle grows and shrinks proportionally.

Second Focal Plane

A scope design where the reticle is behind the magnifier and appears the same size regardless of power adjustment; holds only work on max power.

Quick Wind Formula

$$\text{Range Constant} \times \text{Wind Constant} \times \text{Value} + \text{Remainder} = \text{wind call in mills}$$