Sniper team facts for kids

An army sniper duo, made up of the sniper (left) and spotter (right).

A sniper team is a small group of highly trained soldiers or police officers. Their main job is to watch and shoot targets from far away. A typical team usually has at least two members: a sniper and a spotter. Sometimes, they might have a third person called a flanker. Each person has an important role to play to make the team successful and safe.

What Does a Spotter Do?

The spotter is like the sniper's eyes and brain. They help find and watch targets. They also check if the sniper's shot hit or missed. Spotters use a special telescope to see things far away.

They also do important math. This includes figuring out the distance to the target and the best angle to shoot. Spotters also check the wind direction and how strong it is. All this information helps the sniper change their aim to make the shot super accurate.

The Sniper's Role

The sniper is the person who fires the shots. They are experts at shooting from long distances. Snipers must be very calm and focused. They use all the information from the spotter to make sure their shot is perfect.

The Flanker: Extra Protection

Sometimes, a sniper team has a third member called a flanker. The flanker's job is to keep the team safe. They watch for any enemies who might try to get close. They also help the team talk to other groups if needed. This makes sure the sniper team can focus on their main task without worrying about being surprised.

Staying Hidden and Safe

Sniper teams need to stay hidden from enemies. They use special camouflage to blend in with their surroundings. This can include special suits called ghillie suits. They also pick places with lots of cover, like bushes or buildings, to hide behind. Being hidden is just as important as being a good shot.

Sniper Team Equipment

Besides their main long-range rifle, sniper teams usually carry a shorter-range weapon. This is for defense if enemies get too close. They also use special gear like telescopes, radios, and tools to measure wind and distance. All this equipment helps them do their job safely and effectively.

Images for kids

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  Vasily Zaytsev, left, and other Soviet snipers during the Battle of Stalingrad in December 1942.

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  An army sergeant provides over-watch during a meeting in Baghdad, Iraq.

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  YAMAM (Israel's counter-terrorism unit) sniper shooting with suppressed Barrett MRAD sniper rifles.

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  A US Secret Service sniper on the roof of the White House.

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  A U.S. Coast Guard TACLET marksman uses an M107 from a helicopter.

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  British sniper, training in Northumberland, 2010.

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  Frederick Russell Burnham in Africa.

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  An Australian sniper aims a periscope-equipped rifle at Gallipoli in 1915. The spotter beside him is helping to find targets with his own periscope.

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  Soldiers raise a dummy head to locate an enemy sniper.

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  Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko on a 1943 stamp.

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  German sniper in Stalingrad, Soviet Union (1942).

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  A British sniper in Gennep, Holland, 14 February 1945.

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  Israeli sniper and spotter team training in a sniping range.

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  Royal Marines sniper displaying his L115A1 rifle resting on three-legged shooting sticks.

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  US Marine telescopic sight picture during high-angle marksmanship training.

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  A sniper wearing a ghillie suit to remain hidden in grassland terrain.

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  A U.S. Marine sniper wearing a ghillie suit.

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  A Special Reaction Team with an M24 Sniper Weapon System in 2004.

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  A Georgian sniper in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict (2004).

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  Bundeswehr sniper team in position, Kunduz Province, Afghanistan.

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  Sergeant H.A. Marshall of The Calgary Highlanders. Canadian snipers in the Second World War were trained scouts.

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  A U.S. Army sniper team from Jalalabad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).