Quote Originally Posted by William F. Owen View Post

It takes no more time to teach someone to use a long range rifle with a good scope than it does to train them to use a guided weapon or SF GPMG.

Modern sniping is far more about qualification than operational role.
Quote Originally Posted by jcustis View Post
Could you provide a little more detail as to why you believe those two statements?
Happy to. When the UK ran the Platoon Manoeuvre Support Gun Controllers Course it was mandated as 20 days - 4 working weeks.

I don't know about Javelin but I know the IDFs Spike MRs instructors course is 10 days. - 2 working weeks.

In order to effectively employ a 8.6mm rifle all you have to know is how to use the weapon and the sight, plus the basics of application within platoon tactics. That can be taught in 10 working days, especially when assisted with modern PC training programs, to show how the mil-dot sighting system is used.

Snipers have to not only learn but also qualify in a whole range of other skills.