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STA sniper (USMC)
Encyclopedia
A Scout Sniper Platoon is a United States Marine Corps
unit used primarily for information-gathering. Taking out hard targets and enemy personnel is not their main priority, although it is a secondary option. Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoons
, very similar units, existed until shortly after the Gulf War
.
A Scout Sniper Platoon is composed of 8-10 Scout Sniper
teams, some of which are specially suited for night operations and fully capable of operating in complete darkness through use of night vision scopes and infrared
laser
equipment. Typically, each Scout Sniper team has two members. One sniper is equipped with a long-range, specially-made sniper rifle
such as the M40; he also is frequently issued an M9 9mm pistol. The other sniper is typically armed with an M16A2 and uses a high-power spotting scope
to spot targets and follow-up shots for the shooter. The shooter/spotter relationship is not always set; some platoons establish designated shooters while other platoons have team members switch off. Within a platoon there are two Special Application Scoped Rifle
(SASR), chambered in the .50 caliber
such as the M82A1. These can be issued to a team as needed to give supported commanders the option of taking out heavy equipment or heavily armored targets. Scout Sniper teams train to engage man-sized targets with the M40 out to 1000 yards, and can be effective at a range of up to 1.25 miles (2 km) with the M82 if the environment is right.
The United States Army
also maintains larger units (at the troop/company and squadron/battalion level) called Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) that serve similar roles to that of the Marine's Scout Sniper Platoons.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
unit used primarily for information-gathering. Taking out hard targets and enemy personnel is not their main priority, although it is a secondary option. Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoons
STA platoon
STA platoon were the "Surveillance and Target Acquisition" platoons of the United States Marine Corps. They were within the Headquarters and Service Company of U.S...
, very similar units, existed until shortly after the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
Scout Sniper
Scout Sniper is a secondary MOS designator of U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen and reconnaissance Marines that have successfully graduated from a USMC Scout Sniper School. Scout Snipers provide close reconnaissance and surveillance to the infantry battalion...
teams, some of which are specially suited for night operations and fully capable of operating in complete darkness through use of night vision scopes and infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
equipment. Typically, each Scout Sniper team has two members. One sniper is equipped with a long-range, specially-made sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
such as the M40; he also is frequently issued an M9 9mm pistol. The other sniper is typically armed with an M16A2 and uses a high-power spotting scope
Spotting scope
A spotting scope is a small portable telescope with added optics to present an erect image, optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects...
to spot targets and follow-up shots for the shooter. The shooter/spotter relationship is not always set; some platoons establish designated shooters while other platoons have team members switch off. Within a platoon there are two Special Application Scoped Rifle
Anti-materiel rifle
An anti-materiel rifle is a rifle that is designed for use against military equipment rather than against other combatants ....
(SASR), chambered in the .50 caliber
12 mm caliber
This article lists firearm cartridges which have a bullet in the to caliber range.*Length refers to the cartridge case length.*OAL refers to the overall length of the cartridge.*Bullet refers to the diameter of the bullet....
such as the M82A1. These can be issued to a team as needed to give supported commanders the option of taking out heavy equipment or heavily armored targets. Scout Sniper teams train to engage man-sized targets with the M40 out to 1000 yards, and can be effective at a range of up to 1.25 miles (2 km) with the M82 if the environment is right.
The United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
also maintains larger units (at the troop/company and squadron/battalion level) called Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) that serve similar roles to that of the Marine's Scout Sniper Platoons.
See also
- Scout SniperScout SniperScout Sniper is a secondary MOS designator of U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen and reconnaissance Marines that have successfully graduated from a USMC Scout Sniper School. Scout Snipers provide close reconnaissance and surveillance to the infantry battalion...
- Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (United States)
- ISTARISTARISTAR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance. In its macroscopic sense, ISTAR is a practice that links several battlefield functions together to assist a combat force in employing its sensors and managing the information they gather.Information is collected on...
(Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) - STA platoonSTA platoonSTA platoon were the "Surveillance and Target Acquisition" platoons of the United States Marine Corps. They were within the Headquarters and Service Company of U.S...