7 th stepping ex military snipers

[Johnnyappleseed]

Many times in the past while 7 the stepping I've had occasion to meet active or former military snipers .
Has anyone else noticed how many ex snipers are running around the USA today ?
Or is this a California phenomenon  ?

What is the best way to recruit these former snipers to help us fill those lines ?

What is the worst way to attempt to recruit these former or active USA snipers ?

Ironically in 4 years active duty, I never had the honor to meet a sniper ! Sheltered life for certain 

[saltypaws]

God bless our troops...
Especially our snipers...

[eaglescouter]

I too have encountered more than 100 Marine Snipers when discussion Appleseed.

I believe these 'special' operators have a creed which prevents them from appearing at marksmanship based events to preserve their humble nature.

[George Hacker]

Invite them to a Libertyseed and tell them there will be free cookies.

[hawkeye]

Attend a sniper shoot , there all over the country. Snipers Hide .com is a good place to find tactical shoots near you.A number of these guys have brought family to an Appleseed and believe in the program. Here's pictures from the one two weeks ago. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.618724731525212.1073741829.453882584676095&type=1

Here's me with my MC-1 Garand at one of the shoots a couple of years ago. This is the Marine Garand with the Kollmorgan scope

[dragit]

I have met an army sniper, and his name is John Hawes, otherwise known as boltgun71 on this forum.  If you live in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, PA I would look him up as he will be attending school there.  Maybe you can talk him into weekend courses to supplement his income. 

Two weeks ago I and several other current and former appleseeders attended carbine and precision rifle courses he gave through BattleroadUSA in TX.  What I learned through him improved my knowledge and skill quite a bit.  I highly recommend his instruction.

[slim]

I too have encountered this phenomenon, especially while working the table at the gun show. Seems everyone - especially the Marines - is a sniper.

I banged my head against the wall at first trying to figure out how to get through to these guys but then it hit me, "They're so good already... we need their help as instructors!"

So, I changed up my tactics a bit. As soon as "Sgt. A NEG" told me he was a sniper and didn't need Appleseed's marksmanship training I'd hit him with the mission aspect and how we needed "Good men like him who understood mission urgency and necessity" and how "all that training can be put to good use in saving America."

Thus far, they've all just kind of nodded and walked away. 

[hawkeye]

I learned a lot from John , he was a great shoot boss.

[TaosGlock]

A number of these guys have brought family to an Appleseed and believe in the program.

Asking them to attend one of our shoots also works with many military types as well. We have a high percentage of military here in NM. And yes, many have brought their family and buddies who are non military.

[oladcock]

I too have encountered this phenomenon, especially while working the table at the gun show. Seems everyone - especially the Marines - is a sniper.

I banged my head against the wall at first trying to figure out how to get through to these guys but then it hit me, "They're so good already... we need their help as instructors!"

So, I changed up my tactics a bit. As soon as "Sgt. A NEG" told me he was a sniper and didn't need Appleseed's marksmanship training I'd hit him with the mission aspect and how we needed "Good men like him who understood mission urgency and necessity" and how "all that training can be put to good use in saving America."

Thus far, they've all just kind of nodded and walked away.

Yep, been my experience too. Got a couple theories, one is many of them were probably cooks, the others...Well.....O.L.

[hawkeye]

Most snipers shoot with a bipod and are not interested in learning to use the sling. I'm one of the few at the sniper shoots with a sling on my rifle. I do use it once in a while. This may be one reason for not showing interest in us. Most of the folks at the shoots I go to are former military from one country or the other.

[oladcock]

We have to splain it to them it's 2 different disciplines and the skills for one in part crosses to the other. "Their" discipline involves one accurate shot at 1000+ once a week while the rifleman discipline is an accurate shot at 500 or less every 3-5 seconds and their equipment (the way they use it) can't do it. 2 different animals but having tools in the toolbox that are never needed is better than needing it and not having it. I think most feel they are "above" our standards and won't waste their time. That's why most get humbled big time in their first visit if we do get them out there! I'm trying to get a local sniper school interested in cross pollinating a bit, so far, they don't seem to be interested in even seeing what we do......O.L.

[jmdavis]

Perhaps Appleseed needs to revisit the whole Military seed idea. But I think that the chances of attracting many real snipers or SDMs are not high.

Boltgun protyped the military seed back in 2009, and sold the SC Nat Guard on the idea later that year. But it should be understood that for  military and many others "it is about the shooting." The stories can be motivating, but in the end they are looking for discernible results in the marksmanship of the soldiers.