Sniper Training In TA

[Hellbreather]

Sorry to be annoying if I am

But I was wondering, if I joined a combat unit, what are the chances of me being trained as a sniper ( I do have good weapon accuracy) I know the requirements as I looked into the regs. I just don't know if that changes in the TA?

If someone could just tell me how I would go about applying if I joined a combat unit then it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Hellbreather.

[Sarastro]

First, from what I understand, getting a sniper course is 50% fitness, 49% fieldcraft, and 1% weapons skill. They say they can teach anyone to be a good shot.

Second, if you join the TA, you can do a course if you fit the above requirements any time it comes up, after you have some time & experience under your belt.

You mentioned IT/Comms or Combat in your other post. You can specialise as both Sigs or Sniper from an infantry unit. The tougher / more utilised the unit, the more likely they will train you in a specialisation. As such, 4 PARA and so on probably your best bet.

[Hellbreather]

The only trouble is, I don't really want to join the para's don't want to jump out of planes really

So if I phone up a combat unit, I can still do things in Signals from the infantry because if so then that would be good as it gives some freedom.

I just need to decide which I would enjoy more, running around, shooting and stuff, or working on technology....

[Sarastro]

So if I phone up a combat unit, I can still do things in Signals from the infantry because if so then that would be good as it gives some freedom.

One, if the only reason you don't want to join the Paras is you don't like jumping out of planes, fair dos. If you don't want the extra phys, exertion, tough stuff and so on, be aware that sniper training will require all that and much more.

Two, technically you can do both those things from any infantry unit. I can only tell you what I've been told at 4 PARA. However, bear in mind that these courses are over-subscribed, and the Army doesn't train soldiers on a whim, they expect them to use that training. If you are joining another TA unit which never gets deployed (NOT calling them craphats, it's simply the practical truth that some never go operational), you aren't going to be a high priority for training just because you want to do it.

With 4 PARA, RMR, 21 & 23, you know that they are used operationally, and are used often. Therefore you know that you have the best chance of getting the training.

Similarly, I understand that various Sigs TA units are frequently used on operations. Thus you would have the best chance of the comms training you want, but would close off the option of sniper courses.

[Hellbreather]

Well apparently according to my mate Sniper training courses don't exist anymore. (In the TA)

And yes the reason why I don't want to join the PARA's is because I don't want to jump out of planes.

I take it I would have to ask my unit if they are deployed often. And if so then I could try and take a sniper course (if they still exist in the TA).

[adj125]

does this interest you

http://www.army.mod.uk/uksf/Signals.htm

[Hellbreather]

Indeed it does....

Thanks for letting me know about that, I might give them a ring.

[Chrisbrum]

Having no experience in this field, there's not much I can comment on, however to someone thinking of doing sniper training, I think it might be worth passing on something that was my old platoon was told by our Sergeant (TA - he was ex reg).

He informed us that being a sniper has none of the glamour attached to it by Hollywood. That sniping, despite being in a war situation, is essentially cold blooded killing. Your target does not know you are there, and has no opportunity to defend himself. As a sniper you will not be placed in a 'kill or be killed' situation, you will have none of the surges of adrenaline that accompanies a normal firefight, and you can see, clear as day through your scope, as your target dies.

Brownale perhaps, having been there and done it, you can verify some of this. I have to say it put me right off, and I don't think I would consider undertaking sniper training after the way he described it to us, and I think anyone aspring to be a sniper should think about this. I have complete respect for snipers and appreciate that they are an integral and necessary part of the army, just not something that I would personally consider doing.

Chris

[Sarastro]

First, from what I understand, getting a sniper course is 50% fitness, 49% fieldcraft, and 1% weapons skill. They say they can teach anyone to be a good shot.

I worked as a Sniper for 3 years including operations - I would say its 10% fitness, 20% weapon skills and 70% fieldcraft.

Fair one, wasn't meant to be an exact number, just going from what I've been told which is they select the guys who are very fit, good at fieldcraft, and they'll teach the shooting.

[dylanredefined]

No sniping courses in the ta the regular course is 6 weeks and even they find problems keeping up to date so 2 weeks and a few weekends is hardly going to make an effective sniper .Personally it took me longer to make the ghillie suit than I lasted on the course stalking is
just the most horrible way of moving across the ground.

[Scottya5]

Have you thought about SAS (R)??