leib10

Definitely very trying of one's patience. Sitting there for hours or even days completely motionless exposed to the elements, usually unable to go to sleep or relieve oneself (unless they went in their pants), and with little chance of any quarter given if they were forced to surrender.

Nasty job.

__________________
"The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. So wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes." G-Man

-{SpoonmaN}-

Yeah I had that part figured out, not many people seem to know that its mostly STA work. I guess I have the same to look forward to if I do become a Cavalry Scout, although in shorter durations (particularly since I'm going into reserve not full time). Then again I don't know whats happening with me just yet, I have my initial evaluation on Thursday, but my recruiter convinced me to apply for non graduate officer entry into the reserve so now my application will take longer regardless of whether or not they take me for it.
Still, hopefully I can go into the Armoured Corps either way.
And yeah, the second one was even worse.

__________________
"I have this to say to the people of Australia: Kick me, I'm different."

zraver

F'ing dimehead If there is anything worse than a 2nd Lt, its a 3rd Lt (cadet), if there is anything worse than a 3rd LT though its a West Point 3Lt the thin gray line is not used to the real world and is stuck on stupid when it comes to real FTX's

Have fun in the Reserve officers armor basic course Stay out form under the barrel, behind the breech, and out of the exhaust gas or direction of travel and you should do ok.

Cadets are called dimeheads beucase they wear a round silver button as a rank insignia. They ar enot commisioned and not part of the chain of command, but they still get adressed as sir much of the time. At least they dont ahv eto be saluted in most commands that get saddled with them.

-{SpoonmaN}-

Well things are a little different here, especially for the reserves. There will be no breeches as such in the unit I'd most likely be assigned to, the Prince Of Wales Light Horse use M113s. God I wish we hadnt let mechanisation slide for so long, but its changing now.

sappersgt

The officers examination was tough. The examination which was held once yearly took most of the day. The facility was filled up with people from all over the country who mostly overnighted.

Qualifications for graduates of military colleges, reserve officer training courses, and serving NCOs were less stringent (80% vs 95%) I passed on my first try but didn't have the requisite time in grade. I had to wait till the next year.

Anon

"Sir, your rank is on upside down"
~me to passing butterbar on countless occasions as i snap a sharp salute and feign a look of deep concern.

Canmoore

Just a question, im in the running for a promotion to Captain Obvious, but Anyways, when you say do you mean Canada?

sappersgt

Isn't that where Canadans come from?

Ironduke

US snipers always operate in teams of two, a sniper and a spotter. The spotter acquires targets with binoculars and directs the sniper where to shoot. He also confirms the kill.

The spotter always carries an assault rifle, such as an M-4 or M-16, as a sniper rifle is insufficient as defense in the event they are discovered.

But as the Colonel said, sniper teams do more recon than actual sniping. I've also read that snipers will disable vehicles, helicopters, etc., by putting a bullet in the engine block or gas tank.

Also snipers will wait until they can kill a command figure, they'll observe the behavior and gestures of individuals in a group to discern who is in charge if isn't otherwise possible (e.g. uniform). Saluting would be the most obvious giveaway, but most command figures in a war area will know that its possible there are snipers in the area and won't do this. Instead, the snipers will have to look for more subtle, or not so subtle clues, such as one who is carrying an air of authority, issuing orders, doing all the talking, gesturing each individuals actions, reading maps, getting reported to, talking on a mobile/radio, issuing material, etc.

glyn