15th Annual USASOC International Sniper Competition - MDT Field Report

Recently, elite sniper teams from around the world gathered at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School for the 15th Annual U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Best Sniper Competition. The event was Held at Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg), North Carolina, from March 18th to the 22nd.

Over 23 demanding stages, sniper teams representing various special operations units from the U.S. Special Operations Command, counterparts from the Department of Homeland Security, and international partners faced challenges crafted by instructors from the US Army Special Forces Sniper Course.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Elliott, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Special Warfare Training Group, noted the intensity of the challenges, stating, "Snipers faced simulations mirroring the intensity of modern ground combat. The events, crafted by instructors from the US Army Special Forces Sniper Course, pushed the three-person teams to their limits, testing their collaborative prowess."

From the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, sniper teams from the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 19th Special Forces Groups competed, as did the 75th Ranger Regiment. Additionally, the U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) and Naval Special Warfare Command each fielded two sniper teams, along with a team from the U.S. Coast Guard. Elite units from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands were also in attendance.

Ultimately, the team from the 3rd Special Forces Group claimed the top honors this year, with the French Team securing second place and 10th Special Forces Group taking third.

Googling around, we found the top 15 finishes:

1. 3rd Special Forces Group
2. France
3. 10 Special Forces Group
4. USASOC
5. 75th Ranger Regiment
6. Germany
7. 20th Special Forces Group
8. Netherlands
9. US Coast Guard
10. 1st Special Forces Group
11. 7th Special Forces Group
12. 5th Special Forces Group
13. Marine Raiders
14. Naval Special Warfare
15. MARSOC MASC

Looking at the pictures cleared for release by the Department of Defense, we were pleased to see the MDT ACC Elite Chassis Systems and MDT CKYE-POD Bipods. Also notable was that many of the teams had a bolt gun and an AR-15/AR-10 style rifle.

COMPETITION RESOURCES FROM MDT

• A Journey of Practice
• Mastering the Mental Game of PRS
• PRS Production Division Rifle and Setup
• Dry Fire Drills with Pro Shooter Allison Zane
• Practical Considerations of Competitive Shooting
• Keep Calm and Shoot On: How to Manage Stress
• Maximize Performance with Mental Imagery
• Practical Considerations Of Competitive Shooting
• A Shooter's Checklist - Delivering The Perfect Shot
• Beginners Gear Guide for Precision Rifle Competition
• Expert Gear Guide for Precision Rifle Competition
• How Professional Shooter Allison Zane Sets Up Her Rifle
• How To Shoot PRS: Stage Breakdown With PRS Top Lady
• Dry Fire Drills With Pro Shooter Allison Zane

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Gomez has over twelve years of experience in Healthcare, Tech, and Outdoor Industries, working as an analyst, researcher, consultant, technical writer, and program manager. Thomas has an M.B.A. from Western New Mexico University, numerous armorer certifications, and teaches precision rifle for Q Pro Defense. He spends his free time ranching, farming, fly-fishing, and hunting the high deserts and mountains of his native New Mexico. He can be reached via Instagram @highdesertthomas.