The United States Marine Corps is an elite fighting force under command of the Department of the Navy. The Marines function as a naval amphibious force, but the duties entail combat on land, sea or in the air. The Marine Corps scout sniper is a highly trained field marksman, possessing superior tactical rifle skills as well as combat and survival training. To become a Marine Corps scout sniper, an individual must pass an intense battery of field tests and physical fitness requirements. The process for becoming a Marine scout sniper is extremely challenging, both physically and mentally. On average, out of those who volunteer to become a scout sniper, less than half will successfully pass the initial requirements.
Instructions
1. Contact your local Marine Corps recruiting station. You will have to join the Marine Corps as an infantryman; MOS 0300, or be given an MOS pertaining to ground intelligence; MOS 0203. You will then have to be sworn in to service with the USMC, go to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and then you will have to successfully complete boot camp at MCRD Paris Island, South Carolina, or MCRD Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California. After boot camp you will have to complete Infantry, or Ground Intelligence training school.
2. Score a perfect PFT (Physical Fitness Test). A perfect test consists of a three-mile run in less than 18 minutes, performing 20 dead-hang pull-ups without "kipping" or swinging and performing 100 sit-ups in less than two minutes. You should score a perfect PFT while in boot camp and in your respective MOS training school.
3. Complete a swim qualification test. This test is done in boot camp for all prospective infantrymen. You must successfully complete the test to advance in training.
4. Score as a Rifle Expert on your rifle range test. Rifle range tests are conducted annually, or at any time your respective battalion sees fit to take the test. Tests are taken while in boot camp and in training school. A Rifle Expert score is considered 220 or higher on a maximum scale of 250.
5. Volunteer for a Scout Sniper platoon after you have earned the rank of Lance Corporal, or E3. This rank is typically given after one and a half years of service.
6. Pass the Indoctrination test or "Indoc" for the respective sniper platoon, along with all prerequisites and training that your specific scout sniper platoon requires. All units vary in their training procedures and prerequisites.
7. Complete the pre-training regiment with the scout sniper platoon. Before you go to the S/S school (or Scout Sniper school) you will have to complete all tests and requirements held by the platoon throughout training. This process can take as little as six months or more than a year, depending on your individual performance and availability for a spot within the S/S school.
8. Proceed to S/S school training in Quantico, Virginia. This is the last and ultimately the most challenging part of training to become a Marine Corps scout sniper. All aspects of training must be passed successfully prior to earning the billet of scout sniper, and prior to being placed in a special forces unit as a scout sniper.
