Attention, all readers looking for a civilian involvement program that directly helps soldiers kick ass and save lives in the War on Terror... we have your program right here!
Reader Ron Wright of the Homeland Security Policy Institute Group hooked us up with a program to support snipers serving in the War on Terror. The goal at Adopt A Sniper (now American Snipers) is to "help real snipers get the real gear they need to help keep us safe." It was founded by Brian Sain, a police SWAT member for 15 years who works as a detective in the Port Arthur (Texas) Police Department.
This is a valuable program. Snipers are especially important in the current war, and I'm not just saying that because our Canadian snipers ruled in Afghanistan. The U.S. military is now pressing regular soldiers with high marksmanship ratings to take on sniper roles, but the specialized equipment they need isn't always available. Listen to a 1st Stryker Brigade sniper in Mosul:
"We have been able to adapt and overcome our challenges but unfortunately, it has been at our own cost because the unit does not see the reason we need different gear than the line platoons. We have had to purchase rappelling harnesses, rope, carabineers, and flack vest's that allow us to seat the rifles in our shoulders better, along with other comfort items. On April 9th all hell broke loose here in Mosul and we were up on an OP. My shooter spotted approximately 150 personnel with RPG's and AK's inter mixed with civilian personnel. He was able to fire three shots before the crowd dispersed. He killed two and wounded one at a 430 meters while under indirect fire. Now the shot does not seem that difficult but if you add the fact that he was firing from the 5th story out of a 12 degree loophole and the persons were running. I am proud of my shooter for making those shots. We were in heavy fire for about 5 hours that day and in all my company killed about 30 NCF and sustained no friendly injuries. I just thought I would tell you a little bit about us."
This sort of bureaucratic b.s. is a fact of life in any military - but with your help, it doesn't have to stay that way. Michelle Malkin has further details, including items requested, FAQ excerpts, donation procedures, and links to more letters from grateful snipers on the front lines.
UPDATE:
- Phil Carter gives us 62 reasons to adopt a sniper.
- If you're looking for information about all aspects of sniping, even to the point of including useful suggested training exercises for units, Nordic Sniper News may be the best site on the web.
Joe,
Thanks for spreading the word on this very worthwhile cause. Regardless of what you think about the current presidential campaign, these folks are on the frontline of this war. They're putting their butts on the line to protect us from this enemy.
Many of these folks are from civilian law enforcement special ops units and were activiated for this war. The least we can do is see they have the right equipment to do their job.
BTW we are a .org
Ron Wright, Moderator
HPSIG Forums Site
www.hspig.org
Why is this happening, and why are we allowing it to happen? It is unbelievable. We're sending soldiers out to fight without the hardware to fight with.
There is no conceivable excuse for this.
Get on the horn, call your Reps, Senators, write letters, get the ball moving.
Yawn. Yet more Military Industrial Complex FUBAR.
This once, T.J. Madison is right. This situation is normal in any military.
Logistics are hard, and having all the right stuff available (assuming it was budgeted for and procured, and so exists in the fist place) is the exception not the rule. British military, Canadian military, French military, U.S. military... doesn't matter. Actually, you Yanks do comparatively well in the "shiny new kit" and "get it there" departments.
Look at this from the other side: You get in theatre, higher-ups realize a demand for snipers, they press people into service because they're needed NOW. But they aren't formal sniper teams, attached to the command as usual for such assets, and with all of the gear and pre-set requisition items and everything else. Which means sniper gear sets were not moved into theatre with them (if the brigade even has them). And the higher-ups themselves may not be all that familiar with snipers as a specialty because snipers are specialized operatives.
Special Forces had many of these same problems, BTW, until they were moved into their own command (SOCOM). Again, this situation is military-normal. Though emailing your local representative might be helpful in getting things moving faster.
Fortunately, police snipers, sniper veterans, and dedicated military snipers have come together with "Adopt-A-Sniper" to help fill the gaps until the massive Pentagon procurement and logistics machines can get in gear.
I'll pass the word into my shooting community (which put together a bunch of weapon cleaning materiel in the beginning of this adventure); I've also tried to get in touch w/Ron because some of the things they're requesting - while doubtless useful - seem kinda odd for sniper use.
Focus, folks, focus...
A.L.
You can find Brian of Adopt a Sniper via this contact page on their web site.
Ron Wright, Moderator
HSPIG Forums Site
www.hspig.org
...And A.L., if you want to find Ron of HSPIG, you can contact him via this page
They have a lot of good LEO contacts and provide a useful forum for same re: the War on Terror, so some of your buddies might be interested in them too.
Of course, anyone who doesn't support this program isn't a patriot and should be shot with the greatest possible haste.
Hmmm, my sarcasm tags didn't show up - I should have realized that it wouldn't work like it does on IRC. :(
T. J. Madison is not right. The proper acronym for this situation is SNAFU, not FUBAR.
>> The proper acronym for this situation is SNAFU, not FUBAR.
Indeed. I apologize for the error.
I was checking out the requested items list when I ran across this:
A big fluffy towel.
Enter your own Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy joke here.
I just gave a few bucks, and will in the future as finances allow.
Now I'll have a tough time deciding between my old favorite charity (www.pizzaidf.org), or these worthy guys. I guess I'll just have to take turns.
Hello perhaps we might work together?
http://adoptasoldier.bigjohnmiska.com
Thanks
bigjohn
Looking for someone to adopt me i'm a new sniper here in Iraq just finished training of a Barrett .50 cal sniper riffle and me and my partner need some equipment we need two gilli suits and i would like to have a better night sight and day sight for my barrett and a bigger and better spotting scope if anyone can help please e-mail me and let me know i'm part of the 278 RCT out of Greenville TN me and my partner are scout snipers now your help would be appreciated
Anyone involved in long distance precision shooting, whether as a sniper or in competition, will tell you that it's a pretty personal decision re: equipment. That's an issue over and above logistics.
Historially SOCOM had a fair amount of latitude to buy non-standard items. But with the increase in snipers outside of SOCOM there can be some problems matching people with stuff.
Brent, I sent you a private email.
I accidentally found this site. The more I read, the more interested I am in trying to assist the troops with proper gear to fight with. If someone reads this, write me back and let me know exactly what is going on. I will write whom ever I can to let them know how to assist you. I need the proper information so my letters are worded correctly in order to provide proper assistance. I will send care packages and emails to anyone that wants the care. I care!
Ava Darlene Lowe MT(ASCP
P.S.
My ex-husband is in the military, so I know a little about your situation. I have relatives in the military as well. I am a couple of hours from Ft. Campbell, KY. I can do the best that I can to send you what you need (there is a store across from the base that sells military supplies). I can check on kids call relatives here in the U.S. to help you guys contact them. Whatever I can do to help, please find someone and give them my email address and tell them to email me. I know how expensive it is to call. It is about $200 for 60 minutes on a pre-paid calling card! I will do the best that I can. People love to help! I have not forgotten about you guys. Please write me. I know I can help someone!
avadarlene1@yahoo.com/ 615-890-7116 (sister's phone) leave a message if I am not here. Ask for Darlene
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I've been out of the military for over 30 years now, but I still would like to offer my wishes and support to all the warriors and personnel in Iraq and surround zones.
If any warrior would like to e-mail (ppico2000@yahoo.com) , I will either e-mail back or send snail mail(that's what we call land mail in the Post Office).
If snail mail, then a letter or effects that could make life easier wouldn't be out of the question.
A short resume of the soldier or unit would be helpful.
I consider it an honor and a privilege to converse with any warrior.
Thank you
I've been out of the military for over 30 years now, but I still would like to offer my wishes and support to all the warriors and personnel in Iraq and surround zones.
If any warrior would like to e-mail (ppico2000@yahoo.com) , I will either e-mail back or send snail mail(that's what we call land mail in the Post Office).
If snail mail, then a letter or effects that could make life easier wouldn't be out of the question.
A short resume of the soldier or unit would be helpful.
I consider it an honor and a privilege to converse with any warrior.
Thank you
Yes my name is Sgt. Deantoni Littleton, and I have just been put into a sniper section team sergent. Now the unit that I am at do not have enough supplies to provide for me and my two snipers. We are gettin ready to deploy to iraq in a few months, and I feel that not only as a sniper section sergent that we do not have the proper equipment that we will need to better concealed so that enough will not be able to see. Now I have been too Iraq twice and Afghan once. Now that I just got word that I am gonna be goin to Iraq in a few months with my new unit. I was just wondering if that u will be willing to help me and my snipers out. Because everything that we need is very expensive, and money is certainly a issue. So hopefully you will be able to help us out.
[JK: We sent this to Adopt A Sniper, and they're on it.]
hello, I am one of the few Snipers here in afghanistan, We are the only snipers on this fobb. i was wondering where i can go to get adopted. due to money expences we cannot afford to buy everything out of our own pockets, we have family's to take care among many things. But sofar we have paid for everything out of our pockets. We cant even get dope books, without buying them ourselves. and it takes awile to get out here. we have already been goin out the wire with what little equiptment we have. we need rangefinders, dopebooks, kestrels, angle compensaters, survival kits, and thats just a few things. But if you or anyone can guide me in the right direction I would gladly appreciate it.
the address is:
[ Cut out for prudence and OPSEC's sake. I am forwarding this to the folks at AmericanSniper.org and will email A***** as well. --NM ]
Thanks again for everything
Actually, i am not a sniper but i intend to become one from the day i shot a robbery suspect from a building of about 100 meters with a Nazi Rifle, so i need some one that will help me put my my ability to work and dreams to reality..
Well, that was an unusual comment. Questions abound:
Maybe Mamman's bit was real, but barring further details, somehow I doubt it. We now return you to our regularly scheduled comments...
Sir,
My name is (i would rather not put on the internet). I am currently a Drill Sergeant at
FT. Knox KY, about to complete my tour as a Drill Sergeant. I will be
assigned to a Sniper section in Hawaii when I PCS in August 2010. We are
projected to deploy next year in May of 2011. I spoke to a couple of my
Sniper buddies in the BDE in Hawaii and the supplies that they have are old
and little to none. I will be in charge of a Sniper section, newly
graduated from Sniper school this year and would like some assistance in
getting some of the equipment we would need to better ourselves as a unit.
Our scopes are Redhawks (which are not the hottest thing on the planet) our
ghillie suits we can improvise we are attempting to put our SASS, M24's and
Berret in the shop to have a new barrel put on it (cause we don't have any
idea how many rounds been through it) and re write our SOP's IAW how we
train. Our equipment isn't the best and I assured my men when I get there
that we will train and succeed with whatever we have but is there a way your
company can assist us even with advise? can you send me an email at crimepays252life@yahoo.com