How to spot a British Army sniper before they see you

"The role of a sniper is to locate, observe and destroy key enemy personnel and equipment by the use of indirect or direct significant fire."
Six soldiers have been training to take on the role that everyone wants to shout about, but no-one can tell anyone about - the role of a sniper.
Instructors from 1 Royal Anglian oversaw a stalking exercise with the trainees where the potential snipers' mission was to see, but not be seen.
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[@darrellparkhill]

How to spot a British Army sniper before they see you: Look for the news crew.

[@verdebusterAP]

Stalking was much easier till the thermal imaging became inexpensive

[@bootlegpete7984]

If France stopped selling Russia Thermal devices then it wouldn't be an issue.

[@marcusaurelius3487]

The Russians will just replace the manifcaturing with their own, or import trough another country@@bootlegpete7984

[@Daimo83]

@@bootlegpete7984 Talib would have got thousands of thermal scopes left behind by America.

[@fredslipknot9]

Don’t worry we have thermal cloaks that shield you from thermal vision now

[@JBAIMARK3]

@@fredslipknot9I'd be interested in watching a training exercise with both in play

[@javiersp15]

I love the fact they show the people as much as they can without revealing any identifiable features. This makes the segment much more grounded.

[@philby27]

First experience of a sniper in basic training was a demonstration of how hard they are to spot. We had to move across this field and stop at say 10yds intervals and point him out to the staff if we aaw him, and then moved forward again etc etc. I actually laid down next to the bloke in some grass that was maybe a foot tall and after say 30 seconds of the instructor asking if i could see him in the distance and me saying no, he casually rolled over on top of me and said gotcha. If he hadn't I'd have passed right by him. Never forget that, ans that was about 30 years ago ... or the fact he had a really bright ginger moustache and beard (weird thing yo recall i know). Was a top bloke too... really happy to talk about his role and proper encouraging.

[@fredslipknot9]

Now that’s a class act

[@soul0360]

Just now, reading your story, I recall very early in my career. Might even have been right after Basic. I was on an evasion exercise, where we were to conduct a mock ambush on a column. It constantly rained, making it easier to evade enemy patrols. Suddenly I heard movement close by, from my 2 o'clock. It was the hunting force (Red team), and I went to the ground. I was up front scouting, and got physically seperated from the rest of my section, as they scattered in the direction we came from. The Red guys, three of them, came closer and closer to me. When they were right on top of me, maybe 2 meters, they stopped, and pulled out their rations. I lay there for maybe 30 minutes, completely still, hearing every word of their subdued conversations. I was freezing like never before, miserable, and scared. Even though an exercise. I started getting sleepy from the wet ground lowering my body temperature, and fought not to close my eyes. Finally I decided that this wasn't a tenable situation, and I started yelling 'da da da, da da da', "You're dead, you're dead". And I slowly got to my feet, shaking all over, and hardly being able to stand. One of the guys fell over, and knocked his pot over, his food landing on the ground. We failed the exercise, as my section, While trying to complete the objective. Got caught in an ambush, by another Red patrol. Without realising it at the time, I learned a lot that night, hat followed me, for the rest of my 10+ years career, in the Danish armed forces. Especially from the bad choices of the three Red guys. But also about the craft in general, and about my self. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. I haven't thought about this for many years.

[@Faith_1114]

Kudos

[@Faith_1114]

Thank you for sharing - what did you learn about yourself?

[@brett76544]

I remember working with a German Pioneer unit years ago with their new recruit training. I had one guy take a leak on me, then crawled into the CO tent and had a beer with him joking about what happened. Then had him put some night vision goggles on to see all the NVG chemlights over all the fighting positions before everyone else started the night attack. I also had a few breaches in the wire lit up also for them the drive through into the camp.

[@lamariusgooch8910]

"looks like a geezer's laying there" "yeah like just plunked himself on top" 🤣

[@IO-zg8md]

When I joined up (24 years ago) I trained with a Royal Anglian sniper as one of my first DS - and I saw a few more sniper cadres taking place during my service here and there. What a trip down memory lane. Hide and seek champs!! Thanks for recording and sharing this.

[@desertd1ver]

0:41 " With the aim to see and not being seen" reminded me of that Monty Python sketch

[@ycplum7062]

Everyone is mentioning thermals. Thermals have limited range, at least the light portable ones. Mist and fog further limits the range because they absorb IR radiation. These snipers are not moving to with a few hundred meters. They are likely taking shots at over 500 meters away. And if the are behind some vegetation, that helps block some of the IR signiture. Don't get me wrong, thermal help, but it isn't a guarantee.

[@Daimo83]

BMP go brrrrrrrrrr

[@caesarisared1320]

Thermals might have limited range but drones have a good range

[@mr.not.so.perfect.666]

You'd be surprised. I have a "budget" £1000 thermal and can spot a human at over a mile. The only things that really defeat thermal are thick clothing, which of course can limit movement (not really an issue if you're a sniper), survival blankets, glass and thick cover, it easily sees through light cover and if anything is even slightly warmer than the background radiation then the operator can generally discern that from the background, i.e. you get used to seeing what is not an animal or residual heat from the daylight sun, but someone or something that is not perfectly hidden, their kit as well can look different to the background too. Thermal sees straight through fog, thick rain is pretty good for messing with thermals abilities, though. Probably the best way to defeat thermal detection, would be to have some sort of light cover, like a 2m square sheet, that you could put up in front of you and something that was interwoven with silver thread, and it would likely block the thermals view of your body and equipment, I'm sure the various militaries are working on ways to defeat thermal with interwoven materials.

[@Rupertman]

Thermals can see a lot further than 500m 😂

[@medln5357]

there are ir cams as big as a sharpener that can detect heat signatures from up to a km away, ofc task of a sniper is to not even give the enemy a reason to put a ir cam toward your position but as how everyone sees in the ukr conflict, fog of war is nonexistent due to drones being literally everywhere in a country thats mostly covered in farm land. snipers should just stay in the heavy wooded/ urban areas xd

[@martinbailey2437]

You had to fire your second round when the "walkers" were within 10m of your position to allow the OP a smaller area of observation to locate you. Then the "walkers" would physically put their hand on the snipers head as a "final" test of the perfect cam, concealment, position and field craft. Then the OP was asked again if they could see the sniper to pass or fail a stalking exercise. I passed my training on Catterick training area through January and February 1990.

[@jsmit9484]

"Don't judge us because only one guy made it, judge is even harder than that" I like that humbleness. I feel like that's what the American army is missing

[@paulmcdonough1093]

me uncle a scouser was a r m sniper on mount harriet in falklands war he had a few confirmed kills

[@chappie__]

Watching this really gives me confidence in our forces! However i can't help thinking as to how/whether they train to camouflage against thermal optics which they will undoubtedly be encountering in modern combat scenarios

[@fredslipknot9]

I reckon that is true, but not talked about for military intelligence & strategic purposes. Thermal cloaks, which can make you invisible to thermal sights, are already in use in Ukraine.

[@robertcumming9227]

The clothing all British troops wear is infrared reflective which doesn't make you invisible to thermals but much harder to spot at least

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

@@robertcumming9227 I'm in deep cover in these reply threads, if you can see me, shout out.

[@HighOnPoint412]

Ya that's part of their OPSEC I'm sure. I'm sure the Russians want to know the answer to that question also.

[@raphaelcaldwell3831]

@@robertcumming9227 also something the Iraqis learnt quickly is literally to just ambush a squad wearing thermal blankets

[@TheCaptScarlett]

I remember defending the hills around Leek, from the incursion of Fantasian forces with their Warsaw Pact weapons and tactics, back in the 90s with Liverpool UOTC

[@958ryan]

those packs you see em wearing are made by elberlestock, theyre excellent pieces of equipment

[@JohnDoe-mt8rf]

I have a sniper in the family and I have met one other so thats 2 that I personally know. I have learned alot from the old school 60's sniper .

[@charlieross-BRM]

Only in the last two years have I been stringing together anecdotes and old family photos and postcards to establish that the gamekeeper side of my family also had a few generations of Lovat Scouts. I have one photo dated 1907. That unit was expressly formed by recruiting highland gamekeepers who already had many of the concealment, stalking, and shooting skills. Plus they often traveled mounted prior to WWII. It's neat when delving into things and putting the pieces together.

[@wfwlan7654]

That's just the information I needed.

[@Teknophobe]

Outstanding!!! Enough said.

[@OneOfNine-rn3hr]

1:11 what you zooming in on there bud?

[@benedictearlson9044]

He who gays wins.

[@TrevorCoult_MC]

Great topic, you might as well do a story on how to honeytrap an off duty soldier. Great work 👍🏻

[@akanonymoss]

Call to which front line exactly?

[@ProfessorDoom]

Whichever one arises.

[@akanonymoss]

@@ProfessorDoom I'm more concerned with calls to current ones.

[@HandbrakeBiscuit]

I like how the thumbnail's caption has its last few letters covered by the run-time, so it says: "How to spot a Sni..."

[@theluckysentinel]

Cool guide

[@WhoThisMonkey]

They must get completely covered in tics.

[@pilgrimoutdoors-uk6177]

The 'Hero' sleeves and hair on the DS is truly gopping.

[@Deadvalley200]

The trick to spotting a sniper is... you don't

[@PeterMaddison2483]

I didn't know the Peak District was a training area

[@Steve-hu7jf]

Beautiful countryside

[@cheifareno4924]

it really is when your not subjected to the micro climate there, just came back from that training ground myself and we had all 4 seasons in an hour

[@Steve-hu7jf]

@@cheifareno4924 devine looks like Wales 150 m

[@wessexdruid7598]

@@Steve-hu7jf Leek & Upper Hulme, I believe.

[@baconcrusader7476]

Cold, wet, uncomfortable, you can get lost very easily in the mist, these are some of the harshest training grounds in the world.

[@wessexdruid7598]

@@baconcrusader7476 Staffordshire? It never seemed that fierce when I trained there.

[@Leglessolas]

I’m going with “loudly offer the surrounding landscape a cuppa”

[@muchavvir]

high stakes hide-and-seek

[@MyScotty7]

That sniper course is world renowned,im certain other countries send thier snipers/potential there because its that high a standard since ww2

[@pieteb_nl]

Where about is this area? Looks gorgeous

[@cantovaman-vx6ug]

spot the tea cup beside a bush

[@matthewbaker2573]

this is the glorious side to it, what they don't tell you is that it's advisable to wear a nappy and if natural does call, you'll have a sticky back side until your home bound

[@purplemonkeyelephant]

I read that the snipers 2nd has to clean him up in that scenario. You won't see that in a war movie!!!

[@matthewbaker2573]

@@purplemonkeyelephant a rookie initiation

[@Blue-bf8lv]

must be one scary game of hide and seek

[@thenibblershow5305]

Lol 😂

[@Keirann]

Now I know how to spot a sniper.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

You holler "Free Beer"!

[@wfwlan7654]

Her blank stare is scaring me

[@Sharpcarbon6]

Far more needed...

[@graememccaig723]

1 rifle coy and 3 specialist coys sounds like a risking strategy. but hope it works on real ops

[@Tzhz]

6:07 the way he said "...and assault pioneers..." 😂😂😂

[@IO-zg8md]

Lol. Grave diggers and 'chunkies'

[@Andreas-ov2fv]

Salty pioneers

[@DaleBeresford-gv4xg]

You can increase intensity of sniper training in lake District

[@joeburrows6]

By the time you spot him. You are already gone my guy.

[@euskryhtbnfvse4i7ehs4hnvf]

Crate for that open pouch @4:27

[@forwardprogressonly]

Question to all British Army Snipers - can you wear your badge on a PTI jacket is qualified in both? see got sniper badge on combats and 2s and 1s etc but was thinking you wear your wings etc on pti jacket can you wear sniper badge on pti jacket as rank slide is same as 2s slide material etc?

[@user-yh6ti7bn4l]

YES YOU CAN

[@forwardprogressonly]

@@user-yh6ti7bn4l thats cool - only ever seen rank and aacc or wings on pti jacket is it any mil qualifications like senior Brecon allowed as well or not ? or just aacc wings or sniper badge or rank thats it ?

[@armageddonready4071]

“Everyone wants to be a sniper”? “Hold my binoculars” forward observer

[@PiglipsMaximus]

1:39 what stealthy sniper walks into a tree like that? Absolute joker. That sniper be toast before he's even in a position bruh

[@misterbig9025]

How do you spot a voyeur and night stalker? Same technique?

Good effort lads

[@KingBlueSlimss]

He who has thermal, wins!

[@MyScotty7]

Thermal suits they have now even tanks have anti thermal covers

[@KingBlueSlimss]

@@MyScotty7 do you really think they're going to give a thermal suit to every soldier!? Lol

[@enclavesoldier769]

@@MyScotty7those do not work effectively. They mitigate signatures but do not make them invisible. Thermal has made traditional camouflaging much less useful

[@HighWealder]

Will thermal imaging and drones make snipers irrelevant?

[@Tha_Monsta88]

that area looks like HEAVY METAL from BFBC2

[@billyandrew]

Snipers don't always shoot, often employed in reconnaissance to gain itel on targets, guide and affirm successful hits.

[@OYP-93]

Hey NATO enemies, this is how you spot a British sniper, what genius is making these videos

[@bastogne315]

With artillery..

[@Avoid_The_Clap-Jimmy_Dugan]

Always amazed how professionals like Snipers, high up rock climbers , etc go to the bathroom # 2. Seriously, how ? Hearing snipers may stay in same position hardly moving for days so as to not get detected …. Just a silly but serious thought.

[@hdougie5101]

Unfortunately… they cannot move regardless of any ‘urges’ - proper technique is to just go, without moving.. sorting the situation when you’re home.

[@mr.not.so.perfect.666]

They generally avoid food stuffs that are more likely to make them poop. Is one of the things I was told.

[@stonefisk]

They work in pairs, sniper and spotter. The buddies will take care of each others business in that regard if they have to.

[@auwz66]

They go like anyone else, although if you are eating the right things you can *easily* keep your output to twice a week. Snipers don't generally get on an OP and stay motionless for days.

[@martinriley106]

It’s all about camouflage and concealment! Basics of military training.

[@charlespackwood2055]

@4:48 => the Brits' have Tommy Hilfiger sniper uniforms! No wonder they look so sharp.

[@dresden_slowjog]

During one ultra run in the treeless, coverless UK Lake District (or wherever this British rangers training ground coincides) one lady squatted down to relieve herself. Then looked into the eyes of two commandos in hiding, 1 m away. I heard this on a runners podcast and couldn't stop laughing (that it wasn't me).

[@JasonTheOneAndOnly]

I would love to have a go, i would suck but still.

[@RedFail1-1]

Some weird camera angle choices..

[@makam2089]

Don't worry. He will tell you.

[@edwindude9893]

After that you could do a real course with the RM.

[@marcuskingstanley9522]

but dont the enemy have thermal imaging these days?

[@kk-wl2yg]

Конечно нет 😏

[@jungletroll3844]

@@kk-wl2ygлол

[@michaeldoolan7595]

A drone with a thermal imager just wrecks this. War has altered. A fat kid with a games controller, a can of redbull whike sat in a comfotable gaming chair and a pizza can drop a grenade on top of you.

[@bigglesharrumpher4139]

You see them at the baggies bar most Friday nights.

[@WeShallC]

Damn those ruck sacks be looking inspection ready. 😂

[@elmo319]

What conflicts in the world are on this type of terrain?

[@Beebob-xw9xn]

Finland, Lithuania

[@deankelz29]

if you cant beat the bush become the bush lol

[@aloyd6157]

sure fail , but just a training for the trainee sniper, always be on your guard even travelling

[@magvegas]

wdym the call to the front line? what line who agreed to a war ?

[@Layla_r0se]

Bukan jenis happy trigger lor

[@desmonddwyer]

What about terminal scope's 🤔

[@EllisAngel]

arent the camera crew giving the snipers away to the spotters?

[@user-cx6pw6mf9h]

I was saying to myself "WHY IN THE HELL WOULD THEY PUT THIS ON THE INTERNET?" But this is a good video,

[@paulmorgan3600]

Legends

[@robertthomas3777]

Best of luck young people. Stay safe.

[@Yupppi]

I feel like it's the opposite, only one succeeding should bring people comfort and respect about the standard they have to pass.

[@Dynasty1818]

Most people think sniping is about shooting people like high ranking generals, or...camping the same room over and over in CoD. In reality, almost all the work is recon and you rarely ever shoot anyone.

[@LeonDegrelle.z]

The White Sniper: Simo Häyhä brilliant book true story if anyone wants a good read

[@aleksiwilson2295]

*the white death

[@user-yh6ti7bn4l]

LOL WHITE SNIPER HE ONLY EVER USED IRON SIGHTS

[@LeonDegrelle.z]

@@user-yh6ti7bn4l yes iron sights because he was used to them for one and they were better in cold weather , he also said it made him a smaller target etc

[@aleksiwilson2295]

@@LeonDegrelle.z and no reflection

[@LeonDegrelle.z]

@@aleksiwilson2295 yes , also so impressive iron sights he must have had mega eye sight as well 😁

[@itsjustaname777]

Just look for the yellow thing on the end of his barrel

[@maxb5957]

Max was here

[@denisdenis3358]

He wont hide from thermals which are a must today

[@phitsf5475]

You overestimate how many adversaries will be equipped with thermals

[@deadmemesrus1119]

@@phitsf5475 idk, with the US trying to make them standard issue, the tech could become much more easily available if manufactured at a larger scale. If that happens you can almost bet China and Russia would try and give it to more of their troops

[@Paulgotit862]

Aren't there ways to hide from thermal vision? I

[@herllraiser6662]

​@@phitsf5475you can buy thermal addon for £1200 which is pennies for governments and the next gens scopes from £4000 so dont you believe it. Ive got basic thermal not many can hide from that unless you are in very thick bushes even you cant see though it or your target cant see you otherwise its good nite 😂

[@jungletroll3844]

@@Paulgotit862 not really, unless you are completely covered to the point that you cant see anything. Even then a drone with or without a thermal will probably spot you anyway

[@pemj7360]

A walking Bush is usually a give away . 😅😅.

[@EricDaMAJ]

They look good. But they need some darker foliage for the gillie suit to match the bushes. That reveal behind the journalist didn't fool me a bit - and I can be easily fooled. They also need something to break up the outline of their rifles, their legs, their rucks, and scope hex lens caps. Walking on the dark muddy trails is a bit of a giveaway. You might spot a bush walking among bushes. But you will surely see one walking on a dark trail. All that said, I'm sure the graduates will be absolute Ninjas.

[@Faith_1114]

😂😂😂

[@rorystockley5969]

Armchair general always knows better

[@EricDaMAJ]

@@rorystockley5969 I am one now. But I wasn't always.

[@euskryhtbnfvse4i7ehs4hnvf]

L85A3 with 1km range

[@ivortoad]

These days do you factor in drones with infrared or whatever?

[@lucidvibes8133]

trees and natural cover can block infrared

[@lukedogwalker]

And as the USMC are demonstrating, protection from hostile drones will likely remain with a covering force using man-portable ECM gear or bringing light vehicles with more powerful jammers as close to the area as possible.

[@romeisfallingagain]

incredible

[@chrisbond7324]

Misleading title they're just talking about things and not telling you anything

[@er3947]

Gets up in the battle field celebrating England scoring a goal in the euro's

[@milkboccle]

Where can I see other nations going into great detail about their army or defence forces, from how SAS storm buildings in great detail to logistics…no where? Why is that? Could it possibly be a bad idea?

[@2006Mercury]

Cig spray works

[@Ultra504]

WHY ARE YOU TEACHING THE ENEMY?????? THIS IS SABOTAGE

[@BUY_YOUTUB_VIEWS_679]

Your attention to detail in your videos is impressive!

[@user-yh6ti7bn4l]

i did 10 year my last three as a British army sniper

[@PlanetWalking-qd8gv]

Easy- Friday in a bar!

[@centurione6489]

Why do the spotters paint their faces???🤣

[@kieranprice6050]

Look for steam rising from the cuppa

[@philospher_music]

duh use high alert

[@paulpeterson5147]

Cameraman standing next to him doesn't help.