Are Snipers cowards?

 

 

A notorious publicity hound and rabid Anti-2nd Amendment Crusader whose family name starts with the letter "M" (I am overtly refusing to give him any additional publicity mileage through this post by refusing to write down his full family name) has been hugging the headlines lately for making the ridiculous claim on Twitter that snipers are actually "cowards".  According to him, they are "cowards" because:

1. They shoot people on the back; and
2. A sniper killed his uncle in WWII.

My first reaction was to rebut M's "shoot-people-in-the-back" claim. But after giving it some careful thought, I changed my mind.  I would like to believe that it is already obvious to anyone with some semblance of common sense that the ridiculous claim is the work of a sniping ignoramus.

 

I also refuse to be dragged into an argument involving M's late uncle.  After all, the old chap paid the ultimate price for this country.  Discussing the sins of the nephew might unintentionally tarnish the  heroism of the uncle.

 

The best way to approach this issue is clinically.  What really is a sniper?  What personal qualities must one possess in order to be become one?

 

Here are the personal qualities that a candidate to the U.S. Army Special Forces sniper school must possess:

 

1.   Experience as a hunter or woodsman;

2.   Experience as a competitive marksman;

3.   Interest in weapons;

4.   Ability to make rapid, accurate assessments and mental calculations;

5.   Ability to maintain an emotionally stable personal life;

6.   Ability to function effectively under stress;

7.   Possession of character traits of patience, attention to detail, and physical endurance;

8.   Ability to focus completely;

9.   Ability to endure solitude;

10. Objectivity to the extent that one can stand outside oneself to evaluate the situation;

11. Ability to work closely with another individual in confined spaces and under stress;

12. Freedom from certain detrimental personal habits such as the use of tobacco products and alcohol; and

13. First-class APFT scores with a high degree of stamina and, preferably, solid athletic skills and abilities.

 

Can someone with a "cowardly" personality meet these qualifications?

You be the judge...

 

#AmericanSniper #Sniper #Sniping #SOTIC #ChrisKyle #OneShotOneKill #SpecialForces