[Former Military Chick]

Former marine sniper accused of shooting sheriff's helicopter

ALBUQUERQUE -- News 13 has learned that the man accused of shooting down a sheriff’s department helicopter is a former sniper in the US Marines.

[rightwingextremist1776]

A mechanic, who also happens to be a marksmanship instructor does NOT make him a Marine Sniper. There IS a difference for those who are uninformed. To be a Marine Sniper, you must have held that MOS and graduated Sniper school. The fact that he was a marksmanship instructor just states that he was a good shot.

[BBell]

It says he was former Lcpl. and helicopter airframe mechanic who also worked as a marksmanship instructor. Hardly a combination for a sniper. The article also touts that he was a Marine marksmen. In the Corp a marksmen is the lowest rank, after sharpshooter and expert. I don't buy that he was a sniper. I think it is just media hype. Kind of like Lee Harvey Oswald was a former Marine sniper. If he was a helicopter airframe mechanic who also worked as a marksmanship instructor and a sniper I think he would have a little more rank then a Lcpl.