15 year old intrested in learning about long distance firearms training.?
I’m 15 and have never shot a gun before and have been considering the possibility of joining the military in order to pay for college. One military job that would suit me could be a sniper, as I have patiences, coll wits, and think quickly, and have good intuition. I was wondering how I could go about doing some recreational shooting at long distances and, if I show aptitude at it, how I can get some sort of recognition to help a future military career?
Also, please keep any political opinions on the war in Iraq to yourself, I’m not asking weather joining the military is a good idea or not.
Thanks for all the answers, I didn’t want to seem like college tuition was my only motivation, and I’m well aware that a "sniper" is not as what it is portrayed as in pop culture, but from my understanding I thought my attributes would make me an eligible candidate, and If I joined the military it would be beneficial to have at least fired a gun before, and better yet have a basic understanding of marksmanship. Thanks for your answers and sorry for being so unclear!
Posted in military firearms
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
I was the same a while back.
Ok what you need to do, is purchase or borrow an air rifle.
I started off with targets in my back garden and borrowed my unclesgun. I then switched to shooting courses, then finally actually bought my own gun.
But the easyest way to start is with a standard air rifle. If you go and buy some targets, or just get some paper and print some out or something. Hang them up on trees, on the fence, around your garden basically.
Start off with just standing and shooting from a respective distance, then gradually as your shoot gets better, learn to walk and shoot, run and shoot, shoot without preparing etc. Then once you’ve done that, i’d train so that you can run whilst carrying all your equipment. When you are shooting, take a deep breath…breathe out, and that moment that you are relaxed…shoot.
it’s a good tactic
It’s good fun, and is good practise.
Just remember that being a ‘sniper’ is not as easy as you think. ‘Snipers’ are highly trained, and are constantly on red alert. Your job would involve a lot of lying around waiting to shoot, in which you would have to stay foucused the entire time! Taking a break is not an option, and you will have to deal with taking peoples lives.
Good luck!
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
I know the thought of being a sniper is very enticing, I’ve certainly had a few daydreams myself about it. To get it though, at least with the Army, you have to be an 11B (Infantry), Ranger, or SF. And it is a very difficult school, as much psychological as physical. About the only recognition that will get you sent is expert marksmanship scores while in the Army and strong PT scores. If your mind is really set on it then use these next couple years in school to study hard in math because Snipers need a very strong backround in it. I trained on some basic sniper skills while I was in Iraq and even with my college level Algebra II I was struggling a little.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
If you want the privilege of serving in the military, there’s no room for you if all you’re in it for is paying for college. There need to be more personal reasons for you wanting to join, it’s for your own sake.
If you want to be a sniper, you’ll need to progress to it from the regular Infantry or direct-entry special forces programs.
To be more desirable as a sniper course candidate, it obviously helps to be a very consistent shot. It can’t hurt to get some early practice now, just make sure you learn to shoot the military way – get a professional rifle instructor. There’s little to be taken away from teaching yourself or shooting paper targets in the woods.
As far as the military is concerned, none of their servicemen have fired a rifle until they’ve done it in training. But if you want to shoot recreationally now, read up on the Marksmanship Principles and get a good instructor to get a leg-up.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
If you’ve never fired a firearm before you never know, you could be a terrible precision shooter. Also most people think they are cool headed, but when it comes to actually shooting at people ( Even targets sometimes ) they turn rash and make bad decisions.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
As a young man you should give a little more thought to the possible ramifications of a military career prior to embarking upon one. In my humble opinion having your college tuition paid for is certainly an added benefit, but it shouldnt be the sole reason for signing up. Examine closely the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces and ask yourself if you are ready to make those commitments.
On your question regarding your desire to train as a ‘sniper’; your suitability will be determined as and when you present yourself for a particular course, sniping or otherwise, as with any other military discipline. However, if you are interested in learning how to shoot, which is a pre-requisite to becoming a sniper, begin by studying ‘The Marksmanship Principles’, do a google search for that phrase.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
It’s probably a lot more boring than it looks in the movies.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
go start off buying a airsoft gun or something first and practice on cans
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
Ok Butters I think there a few things you need to know about the military first. You (and a lot of other people) say they are joining for college money, and recruiters will sell you on that fact too. But as the Commander at boot camp told me "You signed up to die for your country". When you join the military all contracts are 8 years long usually consisting of a period of "active duty" and "reserve duty", so be prepared to commit to at least that long. No matter what they tell you in a recruiters office you are not guaranteed ANYTHING! Just because you sign a contract for a job doesn’t mean you will end up doing that job. A lot of your contract is contingent on you passing certain training and if you fail for any reason at all even if it is not your fault like sickness or injury you could wind up doing some of the worst jobs in the military.
My advice would be to wait a few years and try going to college beforehand so you can gain some life experience. You may also have a better understanding of what you truly want to do. Junior colleges and community colleges are a lot cheaper and also have ROTC programs that can help you make if you still wish to join the military.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
You may have patience, but are you willing to sit in one spot for days at a time with little or no moving at all?
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
I recommend you have a relative who is of legal age take you to a firearms range. Many of these facilities have clubs and conduct competitions. Also, check with the NRA website, they have many courses or contact with other organizations which could provide you with the experience you desire.
Also, even if you have formal training in the civilian sector with firearms and extended range shooting, this will not guarantee you as position in a unit as a sniper. Now, joining the military does not mean you will become a sniper. A sniper is not a career or military specialty. It is additional training, part of another specialty. However, being highly motivated and meeting certain prerequisites such as good physical condition and being an expert marksman will give you a better chance of becoming a sniper and attending the course while in the military.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
Believe it or not, but throwing rocks at soup cans is a very good practice.
July 22nd, 2010 at 3:09 am
So, you want to be an assassin . . . or didn’t you realize that’s what snipers actually do?