What does a 'spotter' do?

[gregimotis]

I mean, what does a sniper/spotter team do that a sniper/sniper team can't? I can see having two soldiers together, but why not have them both shooting?



I know it's a piddly question for a whole thread, but I was wondering.

[BoarSpear]

He spots stuff just kidding man, i will try to get Velcroninja to address this for you in detail...i do believe he is uh versed in this subject...compliments of the USMC...

[Tant01]

A spotter is the more experienced sniper. He is the coach and the director of the mission...


The spotter's duties consist of:

-Obtaining and preparing any special gear, such as night vision aids, navigational tools, and mission specific items.

-Leads the sniper cross-country before real stalk and has power to fire back in defense.

-Follows the sniper during stalking and hides tracks.

-While sniper is tracking, the spotter covers the team.

-Helps sniper prepare and build hide.

-Draws up range cards.

-Estimates range with sniper.

-Observes certain sector with spotting scope.

-Locate and distinguish target indicators.

-Estimates wind speed and direction.

-Shoots in case of emergency

-Tells sniper if shot hit destination. (Point of impact)

-Records information.

-Communicates with other teams, via radio communication.

-Destroys site when abandoning hide.

[gregimotis]

Thanks Tanto1 -

So he's sort of the team lead and also takes care of everything so the shooter only has to think about training, sneaking, and shooting...

Am I wrong to guess that sniper teams spend as much time spying on the enemy as actually shooting at them?

Which question leads to this one:

How are snipers used? It seems like two men firing a slow, single bullet weapon into a camp would be more af an irritant than a real threat. It also seems they would be pretty exposed once they gave up thier position by firing.



Naturally, I'm only asking in general - I wouldn't expect anything U.S. mil. specific.

[Tant01]

http://home.swipnet.se/longrange/spotter%20sniper.htm

This should answer some of your questions. The sniper has many functions but few of them are as demoralizing to the enemy as taking out the "soft" targets.

Duties and Responsibilities



There are three phases of sniper operations: the Planning Phase, the Movement Phase, and the Targeting Phase. Time and situation will dictate when and how each phase is accomplished.

At the beginning of the planning phase the team receives the mission. Both team members need to be present at any and all briefings and need to be privy to all available intelligence. This facilitates equal understanding of the mission and the environment. As the saying goes, "two heads are better than one". The team needs to use some format for planning to ensure that nothing is missed. A popular format used by the military is the Operations Order (OPORD) or Patrol Order. Some organizations have developed their own formats, which facilitate their specific missions. Regardless of the format used, it must cover all aspects of the mission and provide both the team and higher headquarters with an understanding of how the team sees the mission unfolding. A key here is a solid communication plan and good contingency planning...

......... Mission planning is the foundation, which will help to dictate the mission outcome. It is during the planning phase that the team needs to conduct their pre-mission checks. Of course, both team members are responsible for their individual equipment and weapon readiness. The sniper is responsible for the rifle, optics and supporting sniper equipment he will have to use in conjunction with operating the rifle. The spotter is responsible for all mission supporting equipment such as the radio/s, binoculars, spotting scope, etc. Should there be any mission specific equipment such as thermal sights, video/photography equipment, etc., the team together will handle this. Once all of the equipment is packed and ready the team will make any last niinute checks and prepare to move out.



The movement phase is broken down into two stages, movement to the Objective Rally Point (ORP) and from the ORP to the Final Firing Position (FFP). The ORP is a location where the team can make final coordinations for movement into the FFP. This is usually the place where the team will ghillie up and, if needed, cache any unneeded equipment. Of course this technique is primarily used in rural enviromuents, although it could be used during urban operations if the team has to move over land by foot to the objective area.



Movement from a release point (where the team exits a friendlycontrolled area) to the ORP is led by the spotte(r). In keeping with the senior sniper acting as the spotter, he can best choose the route and navigate. Also, the spotter normally has an assault or suppressed weapon, which he can use to break contact if necessary. In some cases both members will be carrying assault weapons with the sniper weapons system being carried in or on a rucksack or some other carrying apparatus. Even if this is the case the spotter normally will lead. Of course, the situation will dictate the team's actions. Once at the ORP the team will make final preparations for movement into the FFP. The ORP is also the place the team makes contact with higher ranks to infonu them of the team's status and location.



From the ORP to the FFP the sniper is in the lead. This allows the sniper to select the best firing position and establish the position. Once the sniper is in position the spotter should position himself as close as possible on the sniper's firing side with his head about even with the sniper's shoulder. This position will allow the spotter to look down the line of bore and facilitates better communication. In this position the spotter is in an ideal position to look into the chamber of the weapon in the case of malfunction, to observe all of the sniper's actions and to see what is on the optics. Once again the situation, environment and terrain will dictate the team's actions but an effort should be made to establish this sniper position if at all possible.



Once the team is in position the targeting phase begins. During the initial setup the sniper and spotter both have specific duties in order to make the team operational...

[Tant01]

This is right up your alley Mr.B!

Many folks are surprised to learn that the civilian counterparts to military snipers rarely set up more than 100 yards from a target in urban areas and they might be as close a 40 yards away or even less.

[GonzoStyles]

1 more point is that the spotter has the higher powered optics which allow him greater magnification and field of vision for correction and observation. some sniper's do work alone on occasion ( Carlos Hathcock is one I can think of ). But a sniper/spotter team is a more effective unit than a solo sniper or sniper/sniper IMO.

[velcroninja]

I need to get on the net more.

imagine this...

you are in a place that you do not really know, at a time that no one else would rather be there, but you have a job to do. you are hunting one that does not walk on 4 legs.

the quick version: (close your eyes and put your self in this spot)

you are sighted in.
the wind is in the most favorable direction.
the temp is perfect.
there is plenty of distance between you and your target.
your rifle is honed.
your rounds are proven.
your glass is clean.
your trigger is so tuned that it seems that the wind could let it go.

You found the most perfect, acceptable conditions. As you lay out spread prone, with that ONE round in the chamber in the barrel, and you are already thinking about what you are going to do when you get home after this is over..., you here a crack of a stick and then what seems to be a barrel of some type pressed to the back of you head and you start to here the last words that you may ever here and they are not in a language that you know....

another reason that a Spotter is a good Idea!!!

[Tant01]

Reads like a scene from that movie "Lethal Weapon" (2?)


Mel Gibson's character is a sniper that this very thing happens to...

[velcroninja]

a guy who makes a movie called "Lethal Weapon" and is in favor of gun control...

[Tant01]

Like my buddy ARNOLD, (the Terminator) also a gun control advocate... That's why he didn't get MY vote for Governator...


Bastids....

[gregimotis]

Thanks folks, it's been an interesting read.

[velcroninja]

If you want to support a man who has what seems to be understanding about the Cons and PROS about supporting legislation on this, it would have to go back to the man on the Island, driving the nice red Ferrari...Magnum PI!!!

[Rayl]

Scout/ Snipers in my unit.

What does a 'spotter' do?

The people we have filling this role in my unit I would say are equals in every way. Although you often have one more experienced guy then the other, but I've also seen where two new members are sent to sniper school together and are never broken apart unless one PCS's. The sniper spotter relationship in my experience has both men sharing the load as often as possible and in many cases rotating on the weapon itelf. Keep in mind a lot of the techniques used are based upon the mission given. Whether it's a peace time mission or not, whether enemy contact is likely and of what kind it is, and even how long a mission may run. Any number of factors may play into a mission.