Sniper Career

amaughan

anyone know how to become a sniper in the irish army

the locust

amaughan wrote: »

anyone know how to become a sniper in the irish army

Dream big, Join the rangers.... cross your fingers, and have an aptitude and flare for accurate shooting.

guinnessdrinker

You don't have to be in the ARW to become a sniper.

Poccington

amaughan wrote: »

anyone know how to become a sniper in the irish army

Complete Recruit Training, go into your Unit and then pray you get the course.

amaughan

is it hard to get in stupid question no.1 haha^

NoQuarter

youve to be in the army like 3 years before you can do the course and its got a very high fail rate and even if you do pass it means nothing because youll be back to doing the normal jobs with the rest of the soldiers the next day!

amaughan

there must be some difference in training tho

minidazzler

You are taught to be a sniper. And most likely have to qualify on the rifle every year.

Other than that it's normal daily duties and maybe a bit more field work.

This is like 4th hand info but It would still not be too far off.

You will not spend everyday on the range just shooting a sniper rifle all day!

Leadership

Being a sniper is a tough job and I really cannot see why someone would want to be one. I did a marksman course and it was basically the rifle handling part of the sniper course without waiting in a field for hours on end.

Its a tough mental role, the final test (British Army) you will get 2,3 or 4 10 second exposures in up to 18 hours redeploying each time. You need a serious amount of patience. You can sample what it is like being a sniper by lying in a wet field all day and shouting bang.

Good luck, as you can gather its not like the movies and not my cup of tea.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Its like all career course's in the army.

Pass your LIFE tests (I think @ grade I for snipers course).

Have passed your annual medical and apply.

Thread gives me the jitters.

Poccington

amaughan wrote: »

is it hard to get in stupid question no.1 haha^

Get into the Army or on the Course?

amaughan

Poccington wrote: »

Get into the Army or on the Course?

Course

dahamster

amaughan wrote: »

Course

see post 4

walt alert?

Poccington

amaughan wrote: »

Course

Depends on your Unit really. You obviously won't get the Course if you're a bag of ****e.

GBX

You can sample what it is like being a sniper by lying in a wet field all day and shouting bang.

MadMadPhil

The sniper course in the army is available to both RDF & PDF soldiers of minimum 3* private. Since there is no course designed for RDF application u do the PDF course & get ur qualification at dat level however no reserve has ever passed it.
Also being a sniper is a lot more than shootin u hav to be able to good at math for the calculations & hav good memory. Only 10% of being a sniper is making the shot, the rest of observation & reccon

Poccington

MadMadPhil wrote: »

The sniper course in the army is available to both RDF & PDF soldiers of minimum 3* private. Since there is no course designed for RDF application u do the PDF course & get ur qualification at dat level however no reserve has ever passed it.
Also being a sniper is a lot more than shootin u hav to be able to good at math for the calculations & hav good memory. Only 10% of being a sniper is making the shot, the rest of observation & reccon

Who told you it's open to Reservists?

Rew

Has anyone in the RDF been on it at all?

MadMadPhil

My corpral & sgt hav both told me about the opening for RDF but u need to be an exemplary soldier & can only apply with a reccomendation frm ur NCO. Only a few RDF soldiers hav been through it but because of difference in training levels the fail rate is 100%

Rew

First I've heard of it. Few RDF Cav lads have gone on the PDF recce course alright.

MadMadPhil

Yeah it's the same sort of thing.. If the reserves don't cover a course ur really interested in & ur NCO's or officer (if u knw him/her) think u can do it & u've got a gud attitude to represent ur unit with the PDF they can send u off on them.

Poccington

Funny cause I've seen joining instructions for a Sniper Course quite recently and there isn't a mention of it being open to Reservists.

A recommendation from an NCO? Are you for real? NCO's have no say in what courses you can apply for let alone having the power to recommend you or not.

Rew

Poccington wrote: »

Funny cause I've seen joining instructions for a Sniper Course quite recently and there isn't a mention of it being open to Reservists.

Does it explicitly say they cann't?

MadMadPhil

Listen i'm in 65th Inf support company & sniper/recce comes under infantry support company & i knw reservists can join it. It was one of the reasons i choose SP over the normal infantry units.

BigDuffman

As REW said, the 62 Cav lads got themselves on the Recce and CTI courses and on those joining instructions (to the best of my knowledge) there was no indication that it was open to reservists.

But in my opinion (whilst there is some fantastic shooters in the RDF, in particular a nod to our country cousins ) there's not much point in putting RDF through on this type of course...as if the PDF don't make considerable use their snipers theres certainly no call for RDF to need them.

I'd prefer if they put more lads through PTL/PTI/CTI or other courses that will improve the standard of the entire RDF. Particularly the support weapons inst. courses.

I heard talk of a condensed inst. course for individual support weapons. As opposed to having to spend 6 weeks learning every one of the things!

Spyral

if you get into ranger training and they give you a puppy dont get too attatched..

MadMadPhil

Exactly. It doesn't say a lot of the stuff in the regulations dat actually happen once u sign up but if u r the best & brightest in a average bunch u can get picked over others for having a gud attitude, always showing up for training & not bull****ting away thatu already knw this dat & the other.
If ur the grey man that those wat he has to well then u'll get noticed for the right reasons..

Rew

Spyral wrote: »

if you get into ranger training and they give you a puppy dont get too attatched..

I can see this heading off to walter mitty land...

Rew

BigDuffman wrote: »

I'd prefer if they put more lads through PTL/PTI/CTI

Thats happening. There is no PDF PTL course so lads were going on that section the PDF PNCO course. Now a dedicated course has been setup. I know a couple of guys who have completed the PDF CTI course.

Poccington

Rew wrote: »

Does it explicitly say they cann't?

It listed the Units that the Instructions had been sent to, there wasn't a Reserve Unit in sight so therefore there's no spaces for Reservist lads on it.

Poccington

MadMadPhil wrote: »

Listen i'm in 65th Inf support company & sniper/recce comes under infantry support company & i knw reservists can join it. It was one of the reasons i choose SP over the normal infantry units.

I know exactly what Sniper & Recce Dets. come under so you really don't need to "enlighten" me.

The only Reservist lads you'll see on a Recce Course are Cav lads, that's it. You won't see any Reservists on a Sniper Course anywhere in the near future.

BTW, you don't need to be in a Support Company to do a Recce or Sniper Course.

Poccington

Rew wrote: »

Thats happening. There is no PDF PTL course so lads were going on that section the PDF PNCO course. Now a dedicated course has been setup. I know a couple of guys who have completed the PDF CTI course.

As far as I know, the CTI course is opened up to both organisations and all ranks?

Poccington

BigDuffman wrote: »

I heard talk of a condensed inst. course for individual support weapons. As opposed to having to spend 6 weeks learning every one of the things!

I think I saw somewhere there's an ILSW Instructors Cse. coming up for the RDF at some stage this year, delightful course to do.

minidazzler

MadMadPhil wrote: »

Listen i'm in 65th Inf support company & sniper/recce comes under infantry support company & i knw reservists can join it. It was one of the reasons i choose SP over the normal infantry units.

No offence, but your NCO's are lying to you. How long are you in? Generally, you will get walter mitty type NCO's who tell all these fantastic tales of how fantastic they are and what they have done. A good rule of thumb, take 75% of what these guys say and throw it out.

You don't know Reservists can join it, you think they can. If you can show me in writing where it says this please do, PM if necessary. And, I wouldn't go shouting off your Unit like you are, given that your Posts are coming across as very Waltery, it would be easy to Identify you from someone else in your Unit.

While Sniper and Recce may come under Inf Spt, it doesn't mean sh1t. Not in the reserves, really now, come back with an open attitude to this. I gather you are not in very long and that you are just going on what someone told you. But really, I have yet to hear of anyone in the reserves going on a Sniper course, and given I know a few All Army Marksmen, who I have talked to about this, I doubt Reservists have or will go on such a course.

There is probably nothing actually in the joining instructions Prohibiting an RDF member going on the course, but How long is the course??(roughly of course, we don't want any OPSEC issues do we.) It is likely that the course is too long for an RDF member to take due the Mandays necessary, and the Mandays available to RDF Bods.

Sorry now Kid, but since you are probably new in the RDF, know this, YOU are not RAMBO, you are not God, Sure that DPM webbing looks cool, but why do you want it? You are not going to do a Sniper Course. Not in the RDF at least.


MODS, Sorry for going off a bit, but this poster came across a little hostile to me and annoyed me, I left my post because I think it is true, Obviously ye can adn will edit if necessary.

BigDuffman

Rew wrote: »

Thats happening. There is no PDF PTL course so lads were going on that section the PDF PNCO course. Now a dedicated course has been setup. I know a couple of guys who have completed the PDF CTI course.

Yeah the DFPES ran it exactly the same as they ran the PDF PNCO course. Which is how all RDF courses should be ran IMO (too bad about the small numbers and the attrition rate of qualified lads after there's only one left in the Bn). Good thing about PDF run courses is the 9 O'Clock starts and early finishes with a half day!

Poccington wrote: »

I think I saw somewhere there's an ILSW Instructors Cse. coming up for the RDF at some stage this year, delightful course to do.

About time!!

Irish_Army01

Poccington wrote: »

As far as I know, the CTI course is opened up to both organisations and all ranks?

Thats Correct.

Irish_Army01

MadMadPhil wrote: »

Listen i'm in 65th Inf support company & sniper/recce comes under infantry support company & i knw reservists can join it. It was one of the reasons i choose SP over the normal infantry units.

Well, I can tell you the RDF have never been on a Sniper cse.

Poccington

Irish_Army01 wrote: »

Well, I can tell you the RDF have never been on a Sniper cse.

I was wondering if you'd show up :P

Irish_Army01

Poccington wrote: »

I was wondering if you'd show up :P

LOL,

Fishtits

Snipers tend to get left behind to make a pest of themselves while the main body bugger off elsewhere.

Eventually they get stuffed.

Why on earth would you want to be one of these?

Fishtits - now a civvy...

TomRooney

MadMadPhil wrote: »

The sniper course in the army is available to both RDF & PDF soldiers of minimum 3* private. Since there is no course designed for RDF application u do the PDF course & get ur qualification at dat level however no reserve has ever passed it.
Also being a sniper is a lot more than shootin u hav to be able to good at math for the calculations & hav good memory. Only 10% of being a sniper is making the shot, the rest of observation & reccon

there is a 97 percent failure rate on the sniper course, and you are seriously trying to tell us that rdf would last 5 minutes on it...? when i know some very switched on guys who failed it and they where professional soldiers. there has also been army ranger wing guys who failed it. it is this kind of attitude from RDF heads that gets them a bad name.

i know a couple of snipers i used to be in the 2 FAR which easily has the highest rate of snipers per head out of the whole defence forces and i have it from reliable sources that rdf dont do the sniper course, now believe what you want but i believe a trained sniper over a fat wannabe part timer who never even done real recruit traing.

minidazzler

TomRooney wrote: »

there is a 97 percent failure rate on the sniper course, and you are seriously trying to tell us that rdf would last 5 minutes on it...? when i know some very switched on guys who failed it and they where professional soldiers. there has also been army ranger wing guys who failed it. it is this kind of attitude from RDF heads that gets them a bad name.

i know a couple of snipers i used to be in the 2 FAR which easily has the highest rate of snipers per head out of the whole defence forces and i have it from reliable sources that rdf dont do the sniper course, now believe what you want but i believe a trained sniper over a fat wannabe part timer who never even done real recruit traing.

I am not gonna go on about the sniper course because I know feck all about it, but I just gotta fcuk with some of your points.

1) There are a wide range of skills across the entire RDF, I know 2 people who have completed both markmanship and sniper course's abroad. True it is not the Irish Army course, but they have a level of Camoflage and Concealment and Shooting that is out of this world.

2) Sniping has very little to do with shooting, Most of it is lying in a wet field waiting for an exposure that could just be a fleeting glimpse. That is tough, boredom and being cold drains even thee best people. So, yeah that could mean your switched on mate's could fail the course, it's not an Attendance course.

3) True some RDF "heads" are a bit....erm..."enthusiastic" and think they are as good as their PDF counterparts, obviously not true for the majority of the RDF, but you must remember there are a small number who have served in the Armed Forces of other countries.

4) I'd like to get a second opinion on the 2 FAR bit, just about them having the highest per capita of Qualified Sniper's. I don't know if it's true or not, but maybe someone else does.

5) I don't think RDF do the Sniper course, at least I have never heard of someone doing the Irish one. and TBH, I don't really care.

6) Fat wannabe part-timer. FUCK YOU. I have seen RDF lads in the Eastern Brigade and yes there are a few overweight lads, but then there are the superfit's. I know a Boatload of the superfit's in the Southern Brigade RDF, I also know a small number of "overweight" fella's, but the Fit lads that I know definitely outnumber the overweight lads that I know, there are alot in the middle thoug. I am fast on the track to becoming one, however with luck by the time I am fit enough I will be in a different country...



Oh, and 97% failure rate? Anyone else agree with this? It's sounds kinda suspect.

BTW Tom, most of what you said about the sniper course is Heresay, so why should us fat wannabe part-timers believe you?

arybvtcw0eolkf

TomRooney wrote: »

now believe what you want but i believe a trained sniper over a fat wannabe part timer who never even done real recruit traing.

Why do I get the feeling your gonna cause me trouble?.

Lads, I don't want generalisations made about the RDF ok?.

Fact is there are more sh*theads in the PDF who think its a 'real' army, and who could more the tits off Dolly Parton with their warlord sh*t talking crap than I've ever come accross in my five years RDF experience, and approaching 25yrs PDF experience so drop the stupid bullsh*t.

And just to answer about the 2nd FAR and snipers, yes they have a high precentage, because they run a damn fine course with some brilliant instructors.

And thats about all I personally know about snipers, feck it I even hate annual range practice at this stage!.

So listen up, drop the crap about the RDF it doesn't sit comfortable in this forum.

.

Irish_Army01

Tom is not Far wrong Folks..I did the Sniper cse in 97..We did a three day prelim prior to the course to establish if your up for the course. The course was 4 weeks then. Its 7 weeks now. 95% of the 7 weeks is spent on the ground. The other 5% is class room work and admin.

That course rates at one of the most difficult courses in the DF to pass. And it would be in the 90% fail rate.

I absolutely loved it..to this day its the best course I've done in the DF. You start early and finish late into the evening and you might have a Night Nav on too which you finish even later.

He wouldn't be far wrong with the 2 FAR either..and if any one is wondering I not from that Unit. VIKINGS!!!!!;)

BigDuffman

minidazzler wrote: »

6) Fat wannabe part-timer. FUCK YOU. I have seen RDF lads in the Eastern Brigade and yes there are a few overweight lads, but then there are the superfit's. I know a Boatload of the superfit's in the Southern Brigade RDF, I also know a small number of "overweight" fella's, but the Fit lads that I know definitely outnumber the overweight lads that I know, there are alot in the middle thoug. I am fast on the track to becoming one, however with luck by the time I am fit enough I will be in a different country...



Oh, and 97% failure rate? Anyone else agree with this? It's sounds kinda suspect.

BTW Tom, most of what you said about the sniper course is Heresay, so why should us fat wannabe part-timers believe you?

Hear, Hear. Such is the problem with internet forums there is always the same element of bagger baiting and walting no matter where in the world.
Tbh I couldnt give a flying f**k about RDF on a sniper course as I dont agree with time wasting within the RDF on impractical courses.

Valid points made about the divide, I'm only going to talk about what I know, which is within my bde, more specificaly my bn.

This year alone its come to my attention that:

Myself and 3 other NCOs are signed up for the Tough Guy challenge over in the UK (imagine scratch on steroids with fire).

5 Members of the Bn are on course for the Mourne Mountain Challenge

8 Ran the Marathon

16 of us are over running in the Royal Marine commando march in scotland. A team of RDF won the best international team score last year and we will again this year. This was against military teams from the US Marines to muck savages from welsh mountains.

That not taking into account the thousands in the ranks playin GAA, hurling rugby and participating in Tri-Athalons etc.

With the exception of the Marathon and a few on the Mourne Mountain I've met very few PDF lads that can dedicate time to training for such events. In saying that I'm sure there is a few who I just dont know about. As no-one runs around with a big sign saying "I'm Military".

In my experience there is a higher % of RDF involved in these activities than PDF.

Being in the reserves means that a core group can dedicate their training towards pursuits they would not otherwise be able to train for if they were full time professional soldiers.

There is also a shed load of fat f**kers who are as useless as they are fat and should be booted out of the organisation (along with the walter mitty types) as it makes the rest of us look bad.

Now my rant is over so carry on chattin about sniper types sitting in fields.:D

Raiser

I am a stone.



I do not move.



Very slowly,
I put snow in my mouth,



then he won't
see my breath.



I take my time.
I let him come closer.



I have only one bullet.
I aim at his eye.



Very gently, my finger
presses on the trigger.



I do not tremble.



I have no fear.
I'm a big boy now.



Ready, Vassili?



Now, Vassili.
Fire!



Fire, Vassili!
Fire!

LD 50

Just a quick question. What rifle do PDF Snipers use?

Rew

Accuracy International AWSM (Arctic Warfare Super Magnum) 338 Lapua and the spotter use the HK 417 in .308. The glass on top is Schmidt and Bender and the spotting scopes are Leupold Gold Ring spotting scopes.

Rew

BigDuffman wrote: »

16 of us are over running in the Royal Marine commando march in scotland. A team of RDF won the best international team score last year and we will again this year. This was against military teams from the US Marines to muck savages from welsh mountains.

The Irish have won it every year, interestingly that prize is sponsered by a Retired CoS. Its a hell of a run for anyone PDF or RDF. I must go back and do it again.

Rew

I had a long chat with a sniper instructor recently. Nice guy, he was RDF then PDF. Went on the sniper course shortly after becoiming a 3* (about 3 months). Passed that went off on his POTs as soon as he came back from the sniper course and went of on the instuctors course as soon as he came back off that. He's passed that and is keeping him self busy with other things now.

Interestingly through my civvie shooting I know more about precsion shooting then he does and I do more shooting then he does. Being a sniper isn't as glamorous as some may think.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Irish_Army01 wrote: »

and if any one is wondering I not from that Unit. VIKINGS!!!!!;)

Stamped the women and rape the cattle eh!.

Here's another, I trained with the platoon's which got your unit that name!.

:cool: