Counter Sniping

I am going to try and talk only about counter sniping and the like. HOWEVER, I am liable to get sidetracked and end up talking about how eating cereal without milk each morning increases your patience and steady’s your aim…


Anyone can take out an inexperienced or ignorant sniper rather easily. These would be the ones who hang out in a tree, don't use effective camouflage, shoot everytime someone moves in front of their sights, etc.

But how do you take out the experienced sniper?
(All references to snipers, spotters, etc., are referring to experienced snipers, from this point on.)

Of course, a counter sniper unit can be sent out. A counter sniper unit can be any group or individual who is knowledgeable on sniping. That way they know where the sniper would most likely be located. They will also be able to distinguish minute discrepancies in the environment that were disturbed to conceal the sniper.

Counter sniping takes time. Counter sniping units are usually only sent out when a sniper is known, or highly expected to be to be in the area, and when time is not top priority.

Depending on the experience level of the sniper, the counter sniper will need to look for different things.

Inexperienced snipers will put themselves in a position where they either have cover, or a good vantage point. While experienced snipers look for places like this, they more importantly avoid any obvious place of concealment and will position themselves where the human eye is not attracted.


There are several effective counter sniper tactics. And one will not be the best for every situation. Unless you are in the field and can determine the situation, you can’t decide what is best.


A sniper will always have a planned route of escape, and if he determines a counter sniper unit to be a threat, he will divert. He may decide to take them out and maintain his objective, and after eliminating them, move to a new position.

Effective counter sniping. Sniper on Sniper

You know there is a sniper in the area, what do you do?

1 – Try not to let him see you. That was obvious, wasn’t it? Often, if you know there is a sniper out there, he knows you are there anyway. Don’t make his job easier.
2 – Scan the area you suspect him to be. DO NOT tunnel vision, this will get you shot and wondering where it came from. ‘Man, he has to be right there! I know it!’...
3 – Note any places you think the sniper may be. Under logs, In a foxhole, concealed in a nice
clump of grass. You want to take special care observing these positions. Note the smallest details in them. If something changes, you want to see it. Again, Don’ tunnel vision
4 – Keep your patience. Just because he is not shooting, doesn’t mean he’s not there.


The more aggressive tactics…

- Charge his position, zigzag and fire. Don’t run with a buddy, stay as far away from each other as possible. If you have radios, use them. When in doubt, talk (don’t tie up the frequency, though) If you think he may have your position covered, get some suppression from your team, reposition yourself.

- Communicate! If you see something a little suspicious, tell your team. If you see the sniper, don’t go Rambo! Tell your team. They may have no clue of his exact position and can’t help you out.

- If you see the sniper turn tail and run, tell your team. Don’t chase him by yourself. That’s a bad habit to get into. Even with your team, assess the situation. Should you chase him? Could it be a trap? What do we do!?

- Always, always try to get as many different positions on the sniper as possible. Get a guy at his 12, 3, 6, and 9 and everywhere in between.

- Think before you ditch your cover because you think you can get a shot on him if you move just a little more this way…

- You have guys all around his clock, still don’t see him? Move in. Have suppression fire come from his 12 and flanks. Then, have the guys on his six start toward his position. Assume he knows your coming. Don’t try to be TOO stealthy. Don’t make a ruckus, but don’t move inches by the hour either. If the six’s come under fire, try moving in on his 12. Whatever it takes, get to his position. Compromise him, and sweep the area briefly. Snipers don’t typically operate alone.

- If you suspect a position, try to get his six covered ASAP. Send some rifleman around,
zigzagging to his six. Once they get there, they should be aware that the line is now to their
six, and a sniper to their twelve. Watch which directions you have cover from, and which
direction you have guys covering.




The following are a few things I don’t like happening to me in the field, and what I do when it happens.

- Receiving suppression fire. Even if I am confident they do not know my exact position, the fire is still coming at me, which is typically a good indication they know I’m there.

What I do about it?

Assess my situation. Is it one gunner shooting for me? Does the squad look like they are planning to come for me? If not, I pick ‘em off then get out. If they seem like they want my blood, or have begun moving on me, I don’t bother shooting. I get my out of there.

- Knowing I am being flanked. If I am stuck in my position, didn’t have time to pick up and head out, I start to worry. You would be crazy not to be concerned in that position.

What I do about it?

Well, it depends. Sometimes, My spotter will take on advancing enemies, as I move back to a covering position. As he comes back, usually still firing as he comes, I cover him with my rifle. Basic tug and pull until we are all right.
Other times, when, my spotter has been taken out, fully surrounded, etc., I take out my side arm, and give them a fight.

- Being surrounded.

What I do about it?

Ask myself how I got into this position… Start shooting. I’m surrounded, I’m not going
anywhere. Starting off, I usually use my rifle, then, as my friends close in on me, my
sidearm comes out.


- Watching squads run in my direction. Especially if they know my position. I know my Ghille suit is not perfect, and if they overrun my position, I will be reduced.

What I do about it?

Tug and pull out. If one of us is eliminated, pretty much head out with my sidearm loud.



In regards to keeping it short, my article ends… Here.

Of course, suggestions, corrections and tips are welcome

I was looking for me previous post, on Sniping… But it seems to be missing… Ah well.

This was writen without any intensive re-reading. So I apologize now for anything I need to apologize for.

Mike