Marine Combat Hunter Program

[JT Clark]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxid-Wwk4Zk

Any comments?

[nichols]

It's kinda like bringing Sniper training to the masses, great concept, still working on the execution.

Currently it is a MTT training package that is part of the PTP. GTB is trying to work it into a simulation, along the same lines as Defense of Duffer's Drift.

[JT Clark]

Thanks Nichols- what are your thoughts on the aspects of profiling and tracking, and of every Marine being issued a pair of binos?

[nichols]

Thanks Nichols- what are your thoughts on the aspects of profiling and tracking, and of every Marine being issued a pair of binos?

I spent $460 on a pair of Steiners back in 87 as a Sergeant.....that should pretty much tell you howI feel about every Marine being issued a pair of binos.

There are aspects of the profiling that Combat Hunter doesn't cover that I would like to see in the program. The profiling and tracking covers badguys in the immediate vicinity and is human centric. I would like to see something along the lines of 'terrain profiling.' This stand off capability tied in with a good pair of binos (bino use training is critical) will allow the Marine to get instead the badguys OODA-Loop before the badguy realizes that his OODA has been compromised.

[selil]

I spent $460 on a pair of Steiners back in 87 as a Sergeant.....that should pretty much tell you howI feel about every Marine being issued a pair of binos.

If you like the Steiners you should find a pair of Vortex Vultures or one of their other high end binos.

I do think that the sniping, hunting, tracking aspects of training soldiers and marines is over rated. I've got lots of acquaintances that can sneak up on cervids who are way more attached to their environment than any human. I do think that culture in the Americas is being eroded much like it has in Europe.

[Ken White]

...I do think that the sniping, hunting, tracking aspects of training soldiers and marines is over rated. I've got lots of acquaintances that can sneak up on cervids who are way more attached to their environment than any human. I do think that culture in the Americas is being eroded much like it has in Europe.

to compensate for that erosion which is mostly due to urbanization?

[nichols]

If you like the Steiners you should find a pair of Vortex Vultures or one of their other high end binos. .

Thanks for the info...but I'm married with three kids, I'm a Former Action Guy (FAG) that is more concerned about getting invisible line bi-focals

I do think that the sniping, hunting, tracking aspects of training soldiers and marines is over rated. I've got lots of acquaintances that can sneak up on cervids who are way more attached to their environment than any human. I do think that culture in the Americas is being eroded much like it has in Europe.

Good point, it really is about situational awareness. It's really easy to be distracted by the right hand as your opponent's left hand coldcocks you.

That is one of my fears concerning binos, scheme of manuever and other aspects of Daniel Boonery that causes people to miss the boat on opportunities.

Spending so much time on the binos that you miss the badguy coming up the left flank and kissing you on the right cheek. Not understanding the environmental situational awareness to the point where you don't know what to do so you throw away decision making and lock step in line with the scheme of manuever that was written before you crossed the LOD and probably didn't take into account the current situation that you find yourself in.

[BayonetBrant]

I spent $460 on a pair of Steiners back in 87 as a Sergeant.....

You wanna know what I was doing in '87? hahahaha

[nichols]

You wanna know what I was doing in '87? hahahaha

Okay Brant.......you ain't no spring chicken either

[William F. Owen]

It's kinda like bringing Sniper training to the masses, great concept, still working on the execution.

Don't say SNIPER!! The skills jerkers that protect the edifice of sniping will go nuts!! Don't you know it's a sacred art. Don't you know you have to pass the "Course."

I found this out to my cost when I presented my ideas on Patrol Based Infantry training at the Royal United Services Institute three years ago.

When I said recruits should be trained in a way "similar" to snipers, there was uproar. When I next went to the Infantry NCO school at Brecon, three or four instructors, said they were "insulted" by my suggestion.

Combat Hunter looks good. It's not what I would do, or the way I would do it, but it's sure as hell better than nothing. Kudos to the men who got it running. Methinks I see the hand of H John Poole in there somewhere!

[JT Clark]

I hear you. I view sniping and tracking as a little similar in that there are those in both camps that peddle the idea that they are "dark arts" relying on equal parts magic and incredible skill. There are others however that take a more pragmatic approach and are teaching those on the ground how to do both.

While both are arts/sciences that one can devote a lifetime to; the basics of a stable shooting platform, range estimation, a smooth trigger press, stalking, IDing and following spoor, and reducing your own spoor, are all skills that can be acquired without mystery in a relatively short space of time.

They are two areas that knowedge of will have a dramatic effect on lethality and survivability. I therefore hope we see more education in both.

[nichols]

Don't say SNIPER!! The skills jerkers that protect the edifice of sniping will go nuts!! Don't you know it's a sacred art. Don't you know you have to pass the "Course."

My dumb a$$ can only call it as I see it Got the t-shirt and wore it for 4 years during the best part of my career.

I need to add this in; I have seen many T-shirt wearers that could shoot consistant V rings on the range all the way out to 1000 yards but they had no field craft skills what so ever. These 'snipers' are better off joining the service's rifle match teams. They usually don't provide actionable intel to the Commander nor get the target because they just don't get it.