Gafwiki, thanks for the “like partner, your tactical mindset is right on. The few modifications to the original M82 have been a while in coming because the rifle was a hit right out of the box. Ronnie tried to introduce the weapon to the Corps. at Quantico in 82 but user error by the testing or evaluation crew sent him packing. This lack of interest in the rifle or concept delayed the Marines from getting the rifle for another decade.
In Beruit we were getting fire from the multi-story buildings adjacent to the Airport by individual or small Teams of bad guys, and they would pop up in a window, empty an AK or fire an LPG, then split to another location. Our M40A1’s, and crew served weapons were all that could reach them. It was aggregating as hell, because we knew the bad guy needed a couple minutes get his gear before moving to another FFP.
We ended up going to the SEAL’s and borrowing their .50 cal McMillans,mandnI think IverJohnsons too. They had their hands full with other missions and let us have them. Now when the bad guy would jump up,mfiremhis folley, then drop down behind the window seal,,we shot through the wall, receiving no more hosrilemfiremfrom that sector. I started writing what is called A FONS, Fleet Operational Need Statements, requesting the McMillans be added to our T&E ASAP. NO ACTION until Desert Storm. The ARMY SF units had acquired some and began brainstorming SOTIC.
When the Grunt Patrols would move into an area where we had made contact with the .50’s, they confirmed the hits and took pics of the Terminal/Wound Ballistic results. The bodies looked like they had been fragged, as the poor cement stucco combo the houses were made of picked up the Kinetic energy and velocity of the ammo piercing ammo. Hurray for us, fuck them.
During DS As I posted earlier, I went to SWA as a direct rep of HQMC, WTBN, as the Senior Sniper in the DOD. I had three simple , clear , and concise, missions. First Deliver the Barrett’s to SWA and ensure the School was set up, Snipers from every branch were brought in for the school and their guns were permanently issued to their unit with an inflow of Raufoos ammo. Second, locate one Marine Scout/Sniper that had been interviewed by the NY Post and other National papers and Mags, and teach him about OPSEC while kicking his ass all over the Desert. He didn’t em 1/4 of what they dramatically embellished, but some sacred info ( to snipers anyway), had reached the States and embarrassed the PC Marine Corps, which I didn’t agree with, but he did tell them about being called a PIG until you graduate, then a HOG and receiving a HOG’s tooth at Graduation. All of which I was responsible for except the PIG part. That was brought into Sniping here because one of the required reading books for Snipers was “A Rifleman Goes to War” about WWI.
Back in the day British students, in order to graduate, kind of like our 3rd Phase, ( which I reorganized the school into 3 pahases like Ranger School), were given one .303 Enfield Mk4 and one round, and 3 Days to kill a wild pig.
Anyway, I had just returned rom SWA andngot called into the CO’s Office, a competitive shooting legend, and had what little ass I had chewed clean off. He wanted to know “ Why are you calling US Marines, Army Rangers, Navy SEAL’s etc... , some E-6’s and all of my Instructors except me were Sgt’s E-5’s, PIGS. Thinking quickly I made up acronymns for each...I said Sir “Those are Acronyms we use in the Sniper world... PIG- Professionally Instructed Gunman, HOG- Hired On Gunman ( its been changed to Hunters of Gunmen by Jack Heistermann’s crew , it’s cooler I guess... and a Wild Boar is an Instructor. I’m the Marine Corps’s 1st Master Sniper As I’m the only Marine to run all three schools, wrote the POI, and my Kill count Sir... you and Carlos and Col Chandler made me that remember?.. He said Acronymns huh...OK I’ll call the Commadant and sell it... Then he said , what are these damn HOG’s teeth? I explained how I came up with that at 1st MarDiv SS School in 87. That’s a whole story I’ll tell later is anybody is interested...
When I was still at Quantico I was sent to SOCOM to a classified meeting about SF money and sniper requirements. The JCOS has just had JSOC pool all SF funds into one bank so to speak. No more blank checks for some units and none for others etc... I was a Moderator representing the Corps. SF Green wanted NVG’s for Sniper rifles. At the time we were using the SIMRAD and depending on the gen and individual piece of gear, you might attach and do well, then sometimesmnot so well. They had mucho glass in them which was a red flag. SF Green wanted to start an R&D program with their specs etc... so the could shoot at night. SF Blue wanted their primary Sniper rifle in .300 Win Mag., and other devices for the rifle... The meeting started at 0730. The “Court Proceedings” went on until lunch. We all took a break, PT’d, ate chow, came back...round two! I had said nothing to this point, because although my job and experience was SF, I was here to represent the Corps., and there was no MARSOC.
There was one older dude sitting in the corner of the room scowling like he had no interest, and he was in a suit and tie. Everybody knew he was Delta, but we just carried on and ignored him. Finally the Director of the Board ask me the Corps position on this matter. I said Sir, we’re happy with our M40A2, and I have written a FONS and point paper, plus a public letter to the Commandant to get variable power scopes. We are also happy with our M82A1’s. Improvements in ammo understanding/ technology are being made eatery week. We can cover any assigned mission in our A/O... I want Sniper Companies in each Bn plus There own HQ. Had that happened retention of some of the best Snipers ever would have stayed in! If I had to side one way or the other it would be with SF Green. We need to provide accurate Sniper fire 24/7. Our current .308 will shoot as well or better than the WIN MAG except the WIN MAG will get yo an extra 2-300 yards. You’ll have to re-barrel every 1,000 rounds( after the Basic course), Training in Extreme Long Range, excessice recoil, etc... all will be costly and take time.
That’s when we found out the Man in Civies was Delta. He stood up, slammed the table and said my Snipers in Delta already Shooter the Win Mag and we haven’t rebarrelled since I’ve been there. he called somebody on his batphone and asked them to call him back with the average numbers fired through their Sniper Rifles. They called back and he said about 7,000.i said with all due respect Sir, what are you shooting at, train cars??? There was one laughter, but he turned red as a beat!! Later that evening we all met at the beer trough, he asked me if I was interested in his outfit, and it took balls to stand up to him. I told him I have to fight with every rank imaginable to get the basic gear and equipment to run the most difficult school in the military. I said one day everybody will see my predictions were on the money, scream for more Snipers, and Snipers will and should be recognized as SF Operators even in a line Company’s! He said, Amen Brother... Ammunition is key to the .50 cal’s Accuracy and functioning! I think I was dismissed before they broke down the money but I believe a compromise was reached and each was allowed to go with their projects.
