Originally posted by Bandersnatch:
While I personally appreciate, respect and strive for that type of skill and accuracy, as a former grunt who had to walk through open terrain and perform MOUT, I %#^%&&* hate snipers.
they're cowardly.
Go ahead flame away, you can't change my mind or bring back my friend that took a head shot from a sniper.
Though your service and situation obviously entitles you to dislike Snipers in general if you wish, and I personally extend my condolences for the personal loss of your friend as well as any and all our military casualties, but that doesn't entitle you to make broad disrespectful accusations toward the MOS as practiced by the American Military.
This thread was about respecting a professional group of the most highly motivated, superbly trained and well armed/equipped Americans rescuing a fellow American from murderous criminals on the high seas.
It was not about terrorists and/or insurgents who take advantage of the nominally civilian population to make war and then scurry back among non-combatants to avoid the predictable and justified retaliation.
Your post was fair enough until the "cowardly" comment.
This response is not meant as a "flame", and though unfortunately nothing will bring back your friend, maybe, just maybe, you'll find a way to get beyond your grief one day and use some common military sense to soften your opinion. I wish you the best...
Let me ask:
Have you ever engaged an enemy in the open from cover? Does that make you a coward?
Ever conduct a raid when/where/how your enemy would least expect it? Does that make you a coward?
Ever participate in an ambush of an unsuspecting enemy? Does that make you a coward?
Ever use body armor when your enemy had none? Does that make you a coward?
Ever call in arty or air on an unsuspecting enemy? Does that make you a coward?
Ever use superior technology, firepower or personnel against a less technologically advanced, less well armed and/or inferior number of enemy troops? Does that make you a coward?
If you use your own organic Sniper elements as overwatch while you cross danger areas does that make you...or them cowards?
Of course not, on all accounts.
Operating in very small teams with relatively minimal organic weaponry while relying almost entirely upon skill-at-arms and stealth against enemies that generally treat captured Snipers with less than what The Hague Accords require sure sounds like courage NOT cowardice...
