Training for the final option: GUNS Magazine takes a look at SIG Arms Academy's Advanced Tactical Marksman Observer course

Guns Magazine, Jan, 2003 by David M. Fortier

I low crawled another few feet through the field and then paused. I could say that I was checking my bearings, or perhaps that I was listening, but truth be known I was trying to catch my breath. Even though it was a cold November day in N.H., and I was wet from crawling through a marsh, I was sweating so bad my glasses had fogged over.

I was hot, wet, tired and basically blind. I took a couple deep breathes and then removed my glasses and tried to wipe them clear. Putting them back on I ever so slowly turned my head and checked my mud encrusted sniper rifle, a Sako TRG-22, lying next to me. She was filthy, but good to go.

My objective, a treeline, was only 15 to 20 feet away. The field I was in was under constant observation, and while my ghillie suit made me almost invisible as long as I remained still, I had to move sooner or later -- and it's motion that most often gives you away.

Temporary Security

Ever so slowly, I slid myself forward inch by inch. As soon as I entered the thick cover of the treeline, I breathed a sigh of relief. Whereas I had felt naked and exposed crossing the open field, here in the woods I felt relatively secure and almost invisible. After catching my breath I slowly rose up behind a tree and had a look. Two trucks were parked less than 150 yards away. In the back of one was an observer scanning the field I had just crossed, the treeline, and the ground before me, with a set of Steiners. Along with him was my target.

As I took in the situation, the observer turned and seemed to stare directly at me. My heart skipped a beat and I slowly slid back down out of view. I had two options, take the shot from here, or try to move closer. After a brief brainstorming session I decided to get closer. Within a few moments I was back in the field, inching along towards my target.

Fatal Decision

It was a decision I would live to regret. With only 70 yards of open field separating us and time running out, I kicked the safety off my Sako, rose up enough to engage my target, and fired. While my shot, a blank round, would have taken out my target, I was immediately spotted and "eliminated."

An instructor walked over to me, talking on his radio as he laughed and said, "Man, Dave, they had no idea you were there, but I think they called in mortars on you when you rose up for that shot!" Yes, I had blown it.

As I walked over to join a group of my fellow students who had either completed the exercise or been eliminated, I thought about the mistake I had made. I had passed up a shot to try to get closer, and in doing so had been eliminated. It was a lesson learned. Luckily though, that's why I had come to SIGARMS Academy, to learn.

I was at SIGARMS Academy attending an Advanced Tactical Marksman Observer course -- four politically correct words today required to simply say "sniper." A five-day law enforcement only course not offered to civilians, it's designed to take the police marksman to the next level of proficiency.

Preparing For The Unthinkable

I have the utmost respect for designated police marksmen. They are a special breed who face a daunting task. It's not politically correct to speak openly of such things, but the hard truth is this: If a police marksman is given the green light on a callout, he must instantly be able to make a surgically precise shot.

It must be accomplished no matter how far he has just run with all his gear, how hard his heart is pounding, how bad the environmental conditions, and despite the fact that his target is moving or partially obscured by an innocent hostage.

Not only must he be able to make the shot, but he must do it under the pressure of knowing a miss means innocents will surely die. And he must do it while looking through high-powered optics at the face of the living, breathing human being he is about to kill.

If all of this wasn't sobering enough, he must make this perfect shot every time without fail. This is the reality of the police marksman, the last recourse when lives are on the line and there are no other options.

World Class Training

The officer who accepts this staggering responsibility deserves the absolute best training available. While there are many fine firearm schools out there, one school in particular has set the pace for such instruction. This school is SIGARMS Academy.

In operation for over 10 years, SIGARMS Academy has gained a well-deserved reputation for being one of the top training facilities in the country.

Located in rural Epping, N.H., the Academy sits on over 100 acres and is home to a wide range of courses. Whether you're looking to learn how to safely carry and effectively deploy a folding knife, handgun, defensive carbine, precision rifle, learn of the legalities of self defense, or even counter car-jacking skills, SIGARMS Academy is your one stop training facility.

I have attended many of their courses in the past and have always been impressed. So my partner, Rob Silvers, and I attended their ATMO course to get a first hand look at what they have to offer the police marksman.