Quote Originally Posted by William F. Owen View Post
The only two valid applications I can see for some level of platoon specialisation (excluding CSS types) is Mortars, and dedicated STA/FOO/FAC.

PS: I am not anti-sniper. I want at least 2 per Platoon, (maybe 6 per Company) and to be as good as they can be. I just don't want them spending time parcelled all together, perpetuating a ownership of skills, that IF relevant should be common to all.

I just need a little clarification. Now when you say, "I am not anti-sniper. I want at least 2 per Platoon".

Do you mean "Snipers" or do you mean snipers as in Glorified DMs?

Why I say that, beyond the obvious, is b/c the US Army (I know ur Brit) & the USMC's idea of Sniper Employment is different. This discussion seems more Army centric in the Ideas of sniper/recon employment.

The Army keeps their snipers very close to their Line Units, very much like DMs, nothing wrong w/it just their TTP.

The USMC is more liberal w/the autonomy given to their Scout-Snipers often giving free range thru-out say a Comp-sized AO to disrupt enemy movement & cause havoc as a separate almost mini-maneuver element.

So when you say snipers, are you proposing "Snipers" whose missions are independent of, but in conjunction with the Rifle Plts & at times (choke pts, crossings, etc.) supporting?

Or are you proposing DM type snipers, 2 per platoon, whose 'Primary' job is to support Rifle Plt movements?

Nothing wrong w/the latter just want to be on the same page.