DOES THE MILITARY STILL NEED SNIPERS?

Let me start with some clarity: I've used a sniper rifle in combat, I've graduated from the Sig Sauer Basic Sniper Course, the TacFlo Advanced Rural Sniper Course, and even placed second at SniperFest—but I do not call myself a sniper. Titles in this community should be earned, not borrowed. While I'm very capable behind a rifle and confident in my ability to teach it, I never held a billet in the military. So, I don't take that title, and I don't give it to myself. That said, it's worth talking about a trend we're seeing: Why is the U.S. military scaling back its need for snipers?

FIRST, UNDERSTAND THE REAL ROLE OF A SNIPER

Hollywood presents us with a distorted view of what a sniper is and what they actually do. It's not all 1,000-yard shots from mountaintops or crawling through the brush for three days waiting for a high-value target to show face. While there are snipers who've done that, the average role is far more methodical—and, in many ways, more important.

Snipers are often used in a support and intelligence-gathering role, not just for direct action. They locate, observe, document, and relay critical information. And yes, when it's the right moment, they take the shot—not to rack up numbers, but to disrupt and demoralize. The real value of a sniper on the battlefield isn't always in the kill count—it's in the intel they provide and the psychological impact they create.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE BEING SHOT AT BY A SNIPER

And on that note, I'll speak from experience—not just behind the rifle, but in front of it. I've been on the receiving end of sniper fire. I know how it affects you, and I've seen how it affects teams. When a sniper is landing good shots, it shifts the entire tone of the battlefield. It doesn't take many impacts to start changing the behavior of an entire squad. This is why sniper work is so effective.

SO WHY THE DOWNSIZING?

It's not because we don't value precision shooters anymore—it's because technology has caught up and, in many cases, surpassed what can be done from a manned hide. We now have:

These tools provide high-quality intelligence without the same risks. They don't need a two-day stalk to set up. They don't get fatigued. They don't need extraction. And in some scenarios, they can strike with pinpoint accuracy at the press of a button. So while human snipers are still valuable, they're no longer the only precision asset on the board. And from a logistics and resource standpoint, the military is evolving to match what the modern battlefield now demands.

WHAT ABOUT CONVENTIONAL WARFARE?

You might say: "Well, that works for counterinsurgency—but what about peer-to-peer conflict?" Look at Ukraine. Look at Gaza. Low-cost drones, priced at $1,000 or less, are being used effectively for reconnaissance, psychological disruption, and offensive action. They've changed the shape of warfare on both small and large scales. And let's be honest—the U.S. has been ahead of that curve. This isn't a knee-jerk reaction; this was a deliberate move based on data, capability, and the understanding that the next fight won't look like the last one.

FINAL THOUGHTS FROM A RIFLEMAN

Even with the shift in focus, I still believe there's a place for trained precision marksmen on the battlefield—especially those who understand the nuances of observation, target prioritization, and engagement. But the role is changing. The days of relying solely on a sniper in a hide with a spotter and a notepad are transitioning into a multi-domain capability, where one individual might operate a drone, mark a target, and pick up their rifle—all in the same fight. And again, I say this as someone who's been shot at and as someone who teaches others to shoot well: The work matters. The skill matters. However, so does understanding why and how the battlefield is changing.

There's a new generation of tools doing old-school sniper work—some from the sky, some with algorithms—and the smart warriors will figure out how to work with them, not against them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Orgel enlisted in the USMC in 2004 as an Infantry Rifleman (0311), serving with 3rd Bn 1st Marines in Iraq, including roles as a point man in OIF-3 & team leader in OIF-6. Later, he joined the 1st Marine Regiment, achieved the rank of Sergeant in 2010, & continued service in Afghanistan. Upon returning, he became a Combat Instructor at the School Of Infantry West. Transitioning to private military contracting with Securing Our Country (SOC), he instructed at the American Embassy in Iraq. In 2018, Rob became Chief Instructor at GPS Defense Sniper School, revamping their program. Now, as owner & lead instructor at Emergency Response Tactical, he focuses on training novice to advanced shooters on the range over 300 days a year. Rob also hosts the Silencer Syndicate channel on YouTube.