MNF-WPA---As their unit, the Third Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, recons the sun baked desert combining forces with local military and public support, the LAR Designated Marksman Teams operate in the shadows far from public eyes.
“The sniper’s job is different,” said Lance Cpl. Russell Injerd, an assistant team leader with 3rd LAR Bn. “While the team leader plans the missions, the assistant team leader is the supervisor. Having a job like this means that not only do you operate in the shadows, but you also work to ensure that when others are busy, you’re filling in the gaps.”
“Working with previously gathered information, we gather additional intelligence and conduct operations watching over possible insurgent hot spots, caches or [improvised explosive device] cells,” said Sgt. Neftaly Estremera, a chief scout with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company. “We provide surveillance and [reconnaissance] capabilities for areas of interest.”
“I love operating; I mean really, what is there to not like,” said Estremera. “Yes, the sand fleas tear you up, but at least you know you’re actually making a difference. We’ve been able to stop [people trying] to come [across the border] illegally. It’s getting to the point now where it’s mainly just illegal cigarette smuggling. We’ve come a long way.”
One of the more interesting facets of the marksman life is the ability to take creative approaches to mission accomplishment. This is something members of the team feel is not only essential, but also one of the more unique elements of the job.
“The guidance is pretty general,” said Injerd. “It’s a good line of work because you get to be creative with your mission planning; that’s something not many units ever truly get to do.”
A large part of mission planning is location. Snipers have the luxury of choosing where to establish themselves and how best to insert. While other, larger formations are limited by their loud engines and shouted squad commands, the DMTs can slip in and out once they’ve decided on where to conduct their work.
“We usually insert anywhere from one to two kilometers from the operating zone,” added Injerd. “We’ll go over the plan, mount up and then move to wherever it is that we feel we can accomplish the mission most effectively.”
While many movies and books tend to emphasize the marksmanship skills of the Marine sniper and designated marksman, the men of the 3rd LAR Bn. DMTs find that their true skills are in not having to fire a shot at all. Much like policemen around the world, the snipers are there to gather evidence and gain a visual, while keeping themselves unseen.
After the ‘insert’, described as the trickiest part by Injerd, the team goes back to one of the fundamentals of infantry operations: communications.
“Once we have communications established, we check out the area and move in to our selected [position],” explained Injerd. “From there we set up and watch out. If we catch the bad guys committing crimes like smuggling, we call in for ground units, and we’re their eyes until they get to the area.”
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