re: US Military question(s): Do all branches train snipers?

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Coast Guard snipers consistently win multiservice and international competitions.

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Coast Guard does some bad arse stuff that a lot of people don’t realize.

The problem with trying to be a SEAL is....what are you going to do in the Navy before you get selected and/or if you wash out? I’d still recommend the Marines over the Army. If nothing else you have much better location of bases (almost guaranteed on the coast...Cali, Florida to Virginia, Hawaii or Japan).

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I’ve worked with SEALs, SF, and PJs who were crybaby pussies, and I’ve worked with some of each of those that could tie me in a pretzel and beat the shite out of me. Some of those dudes who pass those courses operate in the fringes of sanity, and some are choir boys. It’s a different world than standard military, but I’d say every selection process is equally as terrible.

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I was an SOTG instructor. Was in the Army before joining the Marine Corps. Ended up retiring from the Corps. The above statement is correct. My specialty was Mountain/Alpine warfare.

It’s probably easier to make it to sniper school in the army just based on size and opportunity. However, STA is obtainable if the Marine infantryman pays their dues and puts in the work. As someone else mentioned, having a deployment under your built will help. The individual needs to work their arse off and get to know the current members of the STA platoon. I’ve seen guys try and fail but never seen someone not given the opportunity if they wanted it.

Great advice—thanks!

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normally try not to flex with all my prior BS bc it was about 1000 years ago and feels like that was another lifetime sometimes. Must’ve been a kick in the balls to go from SOTG instructor to USMC boot camp. That’s pretty badass tbh. I was stupid. Made E-5 with 3rd Force in Okinawa and thought I’d just get out and go FED. Didn’t work out. Now I’m just a has been that still works out way too hard and drinks way too much.

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SOTG was while in the Corps. It was interesting experiencing Marine BC as prior service army. They gave me hell starting in receiving. It obviously helped having the prior experience and familiarization. I spent time around Marines while deployed with the army and that contributed to wanting to join the Corps. There was actually another guy in my BC platoon that was prior army. He and I both had more trigger time than any of our DIs. The only 03 DI I had was a temporary Heavy that was only around during the rifle range phase.

In my day, you could only go in with a guaranteed 03 MOS. That was the only way to the infantry. From there you had to pass indoctrinations for a shot at other specialized units. Now they’ll give guys a guaranteed “shot” at STA or recon. They still have to make it though all of the selection processes. For an eight year stretch, I spent more time overseas training with foreign military than I spent state side. It was indeed a blast.

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In my day, you could only go in with a guaranteed 03 MOS. That was the only way to the infantry. From there you had to pass indoctrinations for a shot at other specialized units. Now they’ll give guys a guaranteed “shot” at STA or recon. They still have to make it though all of the selection processes.

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Lol yeah, most of those contracts don't work out and then they become an 11. But infantry does the indoc as a T day in SOI, so some may get selected to 21 that weren't.

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I good not in good conscience recommend any family relation of mine become cannon fodder for Empire. I will do everything in my power to dissuade my son from considering a military career.

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I served 6 years and also dissuaded my 2 sons form military service.

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I served 6 years and also dissuaded my 2 sons form military service

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I can understand that, but the alternative is paying a lot of money to be brainwashed in college. I did 10, got out as a SSgt and after I went to college. I did an associates and bachelor's in 3 years, getting paid 2k a month. I was accepted into grad school for MA Econ last year. 0 student debt. Its really hard to pass on the military, simply because of the pay and benefits. Currently someone E5 at 5 years, married, make more money than most w bachelor's. It just seems not worth it because its the military

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I’ve heard about these. I had to wait 2 years for an indoc. A buddy of mine tried it out in SOI and said the instructors just straight up look for reasons to fail ppl and will throw them the life saver randomly to pull them out of the pool, even if they show the slightest sign of slowing down or struggling. That has to be a shitty indoc process.

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I did mine in SOI (West Coast). The water in the pool was maybe around 50 degrees (started well before sunrise)...it literally took your freaking breath away the second you jumped in. We did the pool first then went straight to the timed O course and ruck run. Besides the damn cold temp of the water, it wasn’t that bad. I was a 300 PFTer and grew up spending every day swimming in the bayou and river though, so I had an advantage.

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What years were you in? I first went into the Army in early 1978, and then into Marine Corps Boot at P.I. in Late Feb. of 80. I tried to keep it a secret that I was prior Army, but it didn't work out, and they gave me hell.

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Joined the Corps ‘92. Medically retired in ‘07.

So as not to derail the thread...if someone’s life long dream was to be a trained military sniper, I’d recommend the army first (just due to the large number of active sniper billets available) and the Marines second. There is an added benefit of just being a Marine if they go into the Corps. My professional career post military was only possible because I’m a Marine. I was able to get my foot in the door with no experience due to my first HR manager being a Marine and flagging my resume. The rest I’ve accomplished through hard work and sacrifice. I now look for opportunities to hire former Marines myself.