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Swot Analysis Of A Sniper

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Maintaining the Edge
In MARSOC’s Assessment and Selection an instructor by the name of Joseph Morrison talked of the word ‘Shinken’ meaning “Razor Sharp.” The Japanese used this to describe the mindset of the individual Samurai due to their complete focus in honing their skills. He stated that this mindset and commitment to staying “razor sharp” is paramount to special operations; yet this is where this organization tends to slide. For almost a decade, MARSOC has earned its place in Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and has developed a unique training plan focused on the current mission. This training covers a broad spectrum of what each Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) will face on deployment and does well to improve the effectiveness …show more content…

This is a problem when failing has detrimental effects. If a sniper takes a shot and misses, hitting a hostage, it is immediately mission failure and can have strategic level impacts. If a breacher underestimates a door’s construction and resilience, the breach will fail, leaving the assault team exposed outside the objective needlessly putting lives at risk. The army training reference guide FM 23-10, Chapter 9 specifically states, “Sniping skills perish quickly; therefore, sniper teams must sustain and sharpen those skills regularly” (Department of the Army, 1994). If a sniper has little to no opportunity to actively employ his long-range precision fire weapon systems, it is unrealistic to expect a positive outcome during a long distance engagement. Sniper equipment and weapon systems may have discrepancies that cannot be identified until the system is used. All items need to be tested in the way they will be used down range so that if any errors occur, it is in a training environment, not an active mission. If a sniper cannot shoot all of his systems at the range, he cannot be expected to have effective data built on his rifle. One of the SOF truths is “Quality is more important than quantities” (“SOF Truths,” 2015). Putting the time into sniper training, sharpening one’s skills regularly, will produce that quality product; this goes for breaching as well. Getting a small amount of time for a couple …show more content…

During their work up they set one week aside in their DA phase for snipers and breachers break away to work on each skill. They then return for that last two of weeks of the DA package and finish training with the rest of the company. This is a simple model and is practical for 1stMSOB to implement; however, several things need to happen to make this effective. One portion is to establish a set sustainment checklist for both snipers and breachers that is considered mission essential tasks based directly on what the Marine Special Operations School (MSOS) is teaching in it’s courses. The next component is putting responsibility on the Company Commander for all CSOs in his company to attend this training. Marine Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) Pub 1 states that the “Commanders are responsible for all training” (MARSOF, 2011) conducted to enhance or maintain the force. This level of responsibility ensures that the individuals form all the teams are pressed to attend training and that they meet all requirements to be declared mission ready. Last is T-Cell must be involved to aid in the development and supervision of training. The T-Cell ensures all training is conducted without favor and establishes a standard throughout the battalion. The three possible COAs

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