[Mark17]

"I shot one guy in the head, and his head exploded," said Sgt. Randy Davis, one of about 40 snipers in the Army's new 3,600-soldier Stryker Brigade, from Fort Lewis, Wash. "Usually, though, you just see a dust cloud pop up off their clothes, and see a little blood splatter come out the front."

This dude must really get into his work.

[jwh_Denver]

Sight targeted, Boom, more fly food.

[NW Viking]

Cool article. I guess there is something to that phrase "reach out and touch someone". Just remember the snipers creed "if you run..... you'll only die tired". Long live the memory of GYSGT CARLOS HATHCOCK, 93 confirmed kills. http://www.navysealteams.com/hathcock.htm

[MediaMole]

It may be coincidence, but there is a lot of the same stuff in this story from the Army Times on December 23.

Sniper’s skills in demand in Iraq

Which was discussed here... FR discussion

It is suspiciously similar. At best, the two reporters were at the same briefing with the snipers. At worst... well it is the New York Times.

[RandallFlagg]

Working in teams of two or three, Army snipers here in Iraq cloak themselves in the shadows of empty city buildings or burrow into desert sands with camouflage suits, waiting to fell guerrilla gunmen and their leaders with a single shot from as far as half a mile away.

Most snipers are familiar with firearms even before joining the armed forces. Sergeant Davis and Specialist Wilson grew up on farms, and both owned their first rifles before they were 10. They fondly remember hunting deer as youngsters.

Now, if it were up to Schumer, Boxer, Feinstein and their pals, these heroes would be arrested as soon as they came home from serving their nation.

I love stories like this. Makes me miss the Marines on my ship -the talks we used to have.

[TheDon]

But Sergeant Davis had a different view: "I'd shoot him, otherwise he'd shoot me. But I wouldn't feel good about it."

The price evil men exact on good men. Thank you for your service Sergeant Davis.

[Lady In Blue]

ping

[baltodog]

"As soon as they picked up a weapon and tried to engage U.S. soldiers, they forfeited all their rights to life, is how I look at it."

War is hell.
What a great way to put the killing of a human being into perspective.
We must never forget that these are the men who keep our families and ourselves free. God bless them.

[zarf]

Professionals taking out the trash. God bless em.

[neverdem]

There are folks on this thread whining about this story possibly being plagiarized from the Army Times story. They should be happy that NY Times readers are being exposed to it, even though the number who read it is moot.

Happy New Year!!!

[kimosabe31]

bump

[america-rules]

I also bet you 10-1 that they were also boy scouts !

Most people don't know the boy scouts were set up to prepare young boys for future combat in hard conditions in the woods and to make American Boys tougher!

Anyone who was ever was a boy scout knows a few days sleeping in the snow or rain isn't too bad as long as you know how to cope which you learn in the scouts !

The left's attack on the boy scouts is also an attack on the USA's future !

[Billthedrill]

Interesting nuances to this article. This is certainly an evolution in U.S. Army urban warfare doctrine as I understood it (disclaimer - I'm ex-Navy, not Army, and my own knowledge of this field is very limited). I wonder how much of this we cobbled from the Brits and how much from other sources...a ping for some fellers who might be able to enlighten me a little (and for anyone I left out my apologies).

Now for the guy who popped seven of 11 - that's some incredible marksmanship, no lie. Them farm boys can shoot.

[river rat]

"Would they ever shoot a child who aimed at them?

"I couldn't imagine that," said Specialist Wilson, a father of five.

But Sergeant Davis had a different view: "I'd shoot him, otherwise he'd shoot me. But I wouldn't feel good about it."

And, therein lies the foundation for decades of nightmares...and guilt.

The redeeming consolation, it that he will live to see his children grow up, and play with his grandchildren...

Semper Fi

[LA Conservative]

Does anybody know of a website that has more of these type of stories?
TKA

[Ruth A.]

Sergeant Davis, 25, who is from Murfreesboro, Tenn

Here's to Sgt. Davis and others who carry on the traditions of the long rifle shooters. Not bad, when you can stand with John Sevier, Davy Crocket and Sgt. York.

[Fester Chugabrew]

. . . both owned their first rifles before they were 10.

Bet they had their Red Rider BB guns by age 5.

[samtheman]

For the other US soldiers on the ground, going about their daily business in the streets of the city and roads of the desert, it must be good to know that there are guys like these watching their backs.

Keep up the good work.

[.cnI redruM]

Snipers give the terrorists and the guerrillas a taste of their own hooch. I think it takes a pretty nasty, bloodthirsty attitude to snipe well. However, they really make even the hard cases on the other side think two or three times before they perpetrate vile acts. Snipers spread fear on the battlefield like nothing else I can think of.

[Yasotay]

I can't help but wonder if they still use Ranges 20 (unknown distance), 21 & 22 (KD) at Ft Lewis for snipers? Thanks for the post.