Ep. 135 | The Life of a Sniper

[@donaldheine6243]

I was a Sniper team leader with 3/187th Infantry during the Desert Shield/Storm. The spotter is usually the senior sniper. I graduated from 2 sniper courses. I was cross trained as a forward oberver, booby traps and demolitions, and graduated combat lifesaver school. The team leader/spotter has to carry the radio. We coordinate with headquarters, mortars, artillary, and close air support . One of our primary missions is recon and gathering inteligence. We spend a lot of time just observing the enemy. Kind if depends on the mission the sniper team leader has to be able to do a lot of things besides squeezing the trigger. If we are behind the gun looking for specific targets we take turns. Can't have the same person behind the gun all the time. We both have to shoot the same gun. These days the spotter may also have a sniper rifle. He might have a semi auto m-110, where the main rifle these days is the barret mrad probably in 300 magnum, or maybe 338. Back during desert storm I just had an M16a2 but I did have a redfield 3-9 by 40 on it purchased with my own money. The part that still weighs heavily on me to this day is how dangerous the job is. I'm not aware of any Ametican sniper teams in history being captured. We get killd. We had one 1911 45 and 3 magazines. Those last rounds in that pistol were our own. And we were fully aware of it. When you are laying on the ground 150 miles behind enemy lines watching armored vehicles on the road there is no room for error. If they spot you they will try to kill you. Our most powerful weapon is our radio. If you arr calling in artlary or mortars the enemy has no idea who is out there. But when someone drops from a single shot there is no doubt. The spotter has a lot of responibility, and has to be able to do a lot of things besides just spotting and maybe pulling a trigger.

[@bobmcelver1484]

I went through the LE sniper/observer school back in the mid to late 90's about the time your guest went in the military. The FBI/ERT unit put on the school (host), but it included the Marines and Army Rangers, as well as Federal Ammunition. As I was the firearms instructor and armorer for my dept., I was honored to be chosen to go to the school. Even though I thought I knew a lot on long guns at the time, I learned so much more on shooting and field craft than I ever thought possible. Your guest is spot on.....very knowledgeable.

[@GunnyBB0369]

I tell people that all the time.. My 22 years went by so fast it's hard to fathom. Semper Fi brother

[@michaelvangundy226]

My three years took forever. If I never pick up somebody else's cigarette butt again I'll be very happy. The worst housing. If you forced random strangers into our living quarters they would revolt. My jump school was a fake parachute harness and I jumped off a fake helicopter into a mud puddle. I shot my M16 in boot camp. Never shot it again. I hated every minute.

[@joelp492]

It is nice to have another longer podcast thank you

[@matthewzomerlei888]

I went to boot camp with that guy. Crazy to hear about your amazing career.

[@SnipeU696]

Vortex Nation, thank you for making this podcast.

[@soonersteve3733]

Great lesson for any endeavor. Goals, focus, never give up, never quit learning.

[@jasonsloaf963]

Great podcast! Quick question... I've read articles that claim that snipers prefer to shoot "dirty". Is that the case, and how often do you actually clean your barrel?

[@Hanibul_Lecktor]

To confirm zero that makes sense. Out West 600yrd+ shots, my dad said don't touch the rifle after zeroing. So he never shot clean. Never thought of that until now. Wish I asked 😪

[@devinslemp980]

Spomerpomer

[@patagucci8482]

Cleaning the barrels can screw up dope so I hardly clean my stuff besides clearing up carbon lock up

[@scottparks95]

Thank of a barrel similar to the way you treat a cast iron skillet. Don't strip it down until you absolutely have to. Barrels and skillets produce a better result when they are well seasoned.

[@jeffkocsis6405]

Great interview!

[@rangervapes571]

Had the pleasure of going thru Sniper school and SOTIC, great courses

[@russellgavin1820]

Great podcast guys

[@VortexNation]

Thank you!

[@chris38663]

Tony, have you ever stared at a guy through a scope and have him stop dead and look right in your direction like he knows he's being watched? Just wondering how strong our ancient Spidey sense is.

[@VortexNation]

Tony says "I think it goes both ways knowing that you are being watched. Just like during the stalking portion of training when a instructor is staring right at you with binos, and you are looking at him with binos, and you think that you have been spotted………………and then he moves on."

[@cw7legionofpewrights596]

@@VortexNation that moment F$$$

[@johnbooth3073]

It’s very strong if you have those genes. Some people can smell rain coming, some can’t. Some hunt with their mouths open and take in the scent, big cats and snakes do, good soldiers do too.

[@CrimeVid]

I don’t know about being a soldier, but you know when you are being watched, everything is watching you ! listen to the birds talk about you !!

[@brianpetrie7101]

Thank you Tony.

[@clintonkerry3544]

Me and my wife have been together for 8 years. This fella described me and quirks that being a sniper forb10 years better than ive ever done. Ima make her watch this.

[@cw7legionofpewrights596]

The history of snipers is impressive by the struggles throughout history WW1 & WW2 then Vietnam

[@eliasbonilla8087]

Great Interview

[@LibertysTeeth83]

Honestly when I sit in a stand it feels like I'm back in a perimeter guard tower and I think to myself why the hell would I do this voluntarily lol

[@greenstreet5287]

Great podcast. I’d love to hear more from tony or other snipers

[@lawrencefrancis350]

Awesome information and video

[@johnfordham8133]

You made a difference. Thank you.

[@ronws2007]

01:29:44 I don't have the experience but is what he saying is that even in peace time or no major movements, a guy with a sniper MOS could provide over-watch and intelligence, as well as specific assignments? And designated marksman undergoes different training but might also provide over-watch?

[@KNJensen]

As far as i understand, a DM is only good at shooting, but a sniper is also trained to do stalking, observation, intelligence gathering, and generally other things than shooting. A "classic" DM is "just" there to extend the firering range of the squad :)

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Some of the greatest theories and discoveries we spark by long periods of quiet reflection. Makes use of that time snipers and cure cancer boys 😉

[@rosswitte]

Every deer hunter goes into camp just before the biggest deer of their life walks by...

[@homealone5087]

Could you get Tom Berenger on next?

[@DanielBoone337]

Hes a super secret squirrel vortex agent!!!!

[@JG54206]

I’m surprised to hear that if you drop from sniper school you may get a chance to try a second time. I know that if you choose to drop from BUD/S they won’t let you try again. If you fail then you can go for a second shot but quitting means your done for good as I’ve heard it.

[@0570965]

1990's they were shooting the M24, practicing with the scope and iron sights at long range and challenging conditions.

[@jasonrad9332]

Was just reading mirage while on a walk with my wife.😂 Not a sniper, just an enthusiast.

[@leehrvyoswld]

Such and underrated podcast, my guy. Gotta promote this shit. Also, have me on 😉

[@deannagel5143]

Just asking could you explain milrads

[@m14lvr]

Who else is watching this wearing a ghille?

[@justaregularguy3827]

RECOOOOOON WOOOOOOOOO

[@ericwilliams2317]

It's an age thing, no matter what your job. As you get older - life goes by quicker.

[@allenrothery8367]

when im with other snipers (leo), whether for a class, op, or beers, its like coming home.

[@myparceltape1169]

Then you must watch what the wind is doing as well. That bit spoke to me as well but I am certainly not military.

[@shermrock345]

Hey i bet he is "the panther" the one that Wade Chandler from TPH calls a bad ass

[@donaldsmith6404]

Prickly heat is from the salt in your sweat building up on and in skin witch really really sucked.

[@Guide504]

No danger of redaction here...positively mundane...I nodded off more than once!

[@boskoromanic7425]

Tony is all about progress in tech understandably, what he thinks about smart bullets if that exist i hear there is a bullet that is being navigated, tech kinda like tomahawk missile. If is true that kinda pisses on all and defits snipers existence. Tnx.

[@mathewt767]

I like the fixed 10 power swfa mil mil

[@amym828]

I wish it were more possible as a woman to have gone to sniper school

[@Honkers716]

This guy's Annunciation is so bad, closed captioning can't even figure out what he say

[@newpg9821]

I I’ll j

[@jabmyarm6446]

You know, it seems rather an oversight that you guys spent more than an hour and half talking about scout sniper training, and during that entire time failed to mention even once how women have only recently been graduating from that program. Couldn't even just touch a tiny bit on that advancement? Pretty dude centric, that.

[@jonathonlang1844]

GTFO hate to break your heart but nobody gives a fuck is women graduate a class or not.