Sniper Standards

Eligibility requirements, course standards, and grading criteria for the U.S. Army Sniper School.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Candidates must meet specific rank and MOS prerequisites before attending USASS. The course is highly competitive, and units typically select their most capable marksmen for attendance.

RequirementStandardNotes
RankE-4 and aboveMust be recommended by unit chain of command
MOS11B / 19DInfantryman or Cavalry Scout
M24 SWSQualificationMarksmanship qualification on the M24 Sniper Weapon System
M110 SASSQualificationMarksmanship qualification on the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
Course Requirements

What You Must Demonstrate

Grading

How You're Evaluated

Sniper School uses a combination of scored marksmanship qualifications and GO/NO-GO practical evaluations. Students must meet strict accuracy standards on known-distance and unknown-distance ranges, and pass graded stalk exercises that test concealment, movement, and engagement under observation.

The stalk pass rate is one of the highest attrition points in the course. Students who fail to move undetected or deliver a firing solution within the time limit are recycled or dropped. Final mission scenarios integrate all skills — marksmanship, field craft, observation, and mission planning — into graded practical assessments.