Sniper Badge

One Shot, One Kill

Earn your Sniper identifier at Fort Moore, Georgia. Seven weeks of precision marksmanship, field craft, and mission planning that produce the Army's deadliest marksmen.

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7 Weeks — 3 Phases — 1 Identifier

Phases
Marksmanship Fundamentals — Precision Shooting
Weeks 1-2
316th Cavalry Regiment
Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), GA 31905
🌐 316th Cav Sniper School page 🌐 Fort Moore Official
DurationWeeks 1-2
LocationFort Moore, GA — 316th Cavalry Regiment
FocusPrecision shooting & ballistics
StandardsKD qualification (M24/M110), ballistics exam
Key Events
ZeroingM24/M110 weapon systems
KD Qualification300-800+ meters
Ballistics ExamTheory & application
Wind CallsReading & adjusting for wind
Mil-Dot CalculationsReticle-based ranging
Range EstimationMultiple methods
Cold Bore ShotsFirst-round accuracy

Marksmanship Fundamentals teaches the science of precision shooting — ballistics theory, rifle zeroing, Known Distance (KD) shooting, and field firing. Students must qualify on the M24 Sniper Weapon System and M110 SASS at distances from 300 to 800+ meters.

The written ballistics exam tests understanding of wind calls, mil-dot reticle calculations, range estimation, and environmental factors. Students who can't consistently hit targets at extended ranges are dropped.

Marksmanship Training
  • M24/M110 zeroing — establishing precise weapon zero
  • Known Distance qualification — 300 to 800+ meters
  • Ballistics theory exam — written assessment
  • Wind calls — reading mirage, wind speed, direction
  • Mil-dot calculations — reticle-based range and holdover
  • Range estimation — formula methods and visual techniques
  • Cold bore shots — first-round hit probability
Field Craft — Stalking, Observation & Concealment
Weeks 3-5
DurationWeeks 3-5
FocusStalking, observation, concealment
StandardsStalking lane grading, KIM exercises, range estimation
Key Events
Stalking LanesHighest attrition point
Ghillie SuitConstruction & use
KIM ExercisesObservation & memory
Range Estimation15% accuracy at 1,000m
Hide SitesConstruction & occupation
Field MovementTechniques & discipline
Terrain AnalysisReading ground for approach

Field Craft is the heart of Sniper School and the highest attrition phase. Students must complete graded stalking lanes — moving undetected through terrain to within firing range of trained observers (using 10x optics).

The stalking lane is binary: you're either undetected and get your shot, or you're spotted and you fail. KIM (Keep In Memory) exercises test observation skills. Range estimation must be accurate to within 15% at distances up to 1,000 meters.

Field Craft Training
  • Stalking lanes — highest attrition point in the course
  • Ghillie suit construction — building and customizing for terrain
  • KIM/observation exercises — memory and detail recognition
  • Range estimation — 15% accuracy requirement at 1,000m
  • Hide site construction — concealed fighting positions
  • Field movement techniques — slow, deliberate, undetected
  • Terrain analysis — reading ground for routes and cover
Mission Planning & Execution — Sniper Team Ops
Weeks 6-7
DurationWeeks 6-7
FocusSniper team operations & mission planning
StandardsGraded mission planning, sniper team FTX
Key Events
Mission PlanningSniper team ops
Target AnalysisHVT identification
Infiltration/ExfiltrationRoute planning & execution
Hide Site OperationsExtended occupation
Urban Sniper OpsBuilt-up area operations
Observation Post OpsSurveillance & reporting
Sniper Team FTX48-72 hrs independent ops
Final QualificationComprehensive assessment

The final phase integrates everything into complete sniper team operations. Students plan and execute sniper missions from target analysis through infiltration, hide site establishment, observation/engagement, and exfiltration.

The culminating FTX requires teams to operate independently for 48-72 hours conducting real-world scenario-based missions. Urban and rural environments are both tested.

Mission Planning Training
  • Mission planning — complete sniper team operations orders
  • Target analysis — high-value target identification and prioritization
  • Infiltration/exfiltration — covert route planning and execution
  • Hide site operations — extended concealed occupation
  • Urban sniper operations — built-up area engagements
  • Observation post operations — surveillance, reporting, and intelligence
  • Sniper team FTX — 48-72 hour independent operations
  • Final qualification — comprehensive skills assessment
Seasons
Winter — Cold Barrels & Frozen Ground
Dec – Feb
MonthsDecember – February
Stalking ImpactFrozen ground is loud to move on
Ghillie SuitCollects frost, heavier
MarksmanshipCold barrel harmonics affected
BallisticsWind calls change in cold dense air
Biggest ThreatNoise on frozen terrain

Cold weather makes field craft miserable. Frozen ground is loud to move on during stalking, and ghillie suits collect frost. Marksmanship is affected by cold barrel harmonics and wind calls change in cold dense air.

Winter-Specific Gear
  • Cold weather layers under ghillie suit
  • Glove inserts — maintain trigger finger dexterity
  • Hand warmers — keep hands functional for precision shooting
  • Insulated hydration system
  • Weapon cold weather lubricant
Spring — Vegetation & Variable Weather
Mar – May
MonthsMarch – May
Stalking ImpactVegetation growth helps concealment
MovementRain/mud add difficulty but provide noise
BallisticsTemp/humidity shifts complicate calculations
WeatherVariable — complicates everything
Biggest ThreatUnpredictable conditions

Vegetation growth helps concealment during stalking lanes. Rain and mud add difficulty to movement but provide ambient noise for approaches. Variable weather complicates ballistics (temperature/humidity shifts).

Spring-Specific Gear
  • Waterproof layers — keep core dry during extended stalks
  • Flexible ghillie material — adapts to wet conditions
  • Extra cleaning supplies for weapons — moisture is the enemy
  • Waterproof notebooks and pens
  • Quick-dry base layers
Summer — Heat, Mirage & Ghillie Misery
Jun – Aug
MonthsJune – August
Stalking ImpactHeat casualties under ghillie common
ObservationMirage affects long-range ID
ConcealmentHeavy vegetation helps
TemperatureGeorgia heat is brutal
Biggest ThreatHeat casualties during stalking

Georgia heat is brutal under a ghillie suit — heat casualties during stalking lanes are common. Mirage from heat affects long-range observation and target identification. Heavy vegetation helps concealment.

Summer-Specific Gear
  • Hydration system under ghillie — CamelBak or equivalent
  • Electrolytes — prevent heat casualties
  • Lightweight ghillie material — reduce heat buildup
  • Cooling towel or neck wrap
  • Extra water resupply plan
Fall — Best Season Overall
Sep – Nov
MonthsSeptember – November
Stalking ImpactLess vegetation (helps & hurts)
BallisticsStable conditions, predictable wind
TemperatureModerate — best for performance
WindMost predictable patterns
Biggest AdvantageStable, predictable conditions

Best season overall. Moderate temperatures, less vegetation (helps and hurts concealment), stable ballistics conditions. Most predictable wind patterns.

Fall-Specific Gear
  • Light layers — morning/evening temperature shifts
  • Standard ghillie — adapt to changing foliage
  • Versatile kit — moderate conditions allow standard loadout
  • Transitional camouflage materials
  • Standard hydration and nutrition plan
Class Calendar

Sniper School Schedule

USASS runs approximately 6 classes per fiscal year. Find your class and start preparing. Source: 316th Cavalry Regiment.

FY26

ClassReport DateGraduationSeason
USASS 01-2606 Oct 202521 Nov 2025Fall
USASS 02-2605 Jan 202620 Feb 2026Winter
USASS 03-2602 Mar 202617 Apr 2026Spring
USASS 04-2604 May 202619 Jun 2026Spring
USASS 05-2606 Jul 202621 Aug 2026Summer
USASS 06-2607 Sep 202624 Oct 2026Fall
Prepare Now

~50% Wash Rate — One Shot, One Kill

The stalking lane separates snipers from shooters. Precision, patience, and invisibility are the standard.

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Resources

Don't Be That Sniper Student.

Every failure at Sniper School has a type. We built a fix for each one.

🎯
Can't Hit at Distance?

KD qualification from 300 to 800+ meters requires fundamentals. Master your zero and wind calls.
👁
Spotted on the Stalk?

The stalking lane is the #1 failure point. Ghillie suit construction and movement technique are everything.
📏
Bad Range Estimation?

15% accuracy at 1,000m requires practice. Master mil-dot and formula methods.
👀
Weak KIM Skills?

Keep In Memory exercises test observation. Train your eye to notice details others miss.
🗺
Can't Plan a Mission?

Sniper team operations require tactical planning. Study the sniper employment manual.
🎒
Missing Gear?

Sniper-specific equipment is specialized. Our shop has the essentials.
Course Overview
49
Total Days
35
Field Days
3
Phases
~50%
Grad Rate
6
Classes / FY
~250
Annual Grads
Graduation Rates
2019
48%
Graduated
2020
50%
Graduated
2021
52%
Graduated
2022
49%
Graduated
2023
51%
Graduated
Failure Breakdown
Primary Failure Points
Stalking Lane (spotted/no shot)~25%
Marksmanship Qualification~15%
KIM/Observation Exercises~5%
Range Estimation~5%
Key Context
Field Craft (stalking) is #1 elimination~50%
Marksmanship phase drops~30%
Mission planning drops~10%
Voluntary withdrawal~10%

Key Takeaway: The stalking lane is the single highest attrition point — you must move undetected within firing range of trained observers using 10x optics. Ghillie suit construction, terrain analysis, and patient movement technique matter more than shooting ability.

I will strike my enemy from the shadows and send him to the darkness from which he came.

I am the unseen hand of my commander, the eyes that never sleep, the silent force that makes the enemy fear the light.

My rifle and my training are my bond. One shot, one kill — not luck, but discipline and precision perfected through relentless practice.

I will master my craft, know my weapon, and understand the wind, the weather, and the terrain — for they are both my allies and my enemies.

I am patient. I am invisible. I am a Sniper.

One Shot, One Kill
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