Cheerleader, now sniper, makes 725 yard shot up the butt of an IED guy

[Defender3]

I can't attest to the authenticity of the photo or claim relating to this particular Airman, but I was the Security Forces Career Field Manager from 2000-2003 working on the General Staff out of the Pentagon. We were working the Close Precision Engangement/Designated Marksman issue when the Guard took control and started to send their folks to DM school. One of the first was a female Airman. Now, I'm not trying to start a women in the military discussion as I worked with women in the USAF for 27 years and fully endorse them being in service, but the training of a woman to be a "sniper" really created a problem as the issue of women in combat was still a pretty hot item. However, the training of the female Airman did force the issue and speed the eventual training of Airmen as Designated Marksmen and in Close Precision Engagement. The distinctions are critical as the USAF's ground doctrine did not require "snipers" nor would leadership support the concept. However, we did need a better squad and flight level response supporting fire and maneuver and the desire to engage targets at our perimeter, typically 300 meters. The concept of CPE was borne and it became an important part of doctrine as well as a heck of a morale booster. There were many other simultaneous programs designed to support the upgrade of our ground capabilities including the replacement of the M-60 with the M240B and the M16A2 with the M4 and a change in training that focused on skill sets needed for today's battelfield rather yesterdays. I better stop since I'm starting to ramble here......

[John Kepler]

The "art" of being a sniper isn't elite-level marksmanship....average marksmanship will do nicely. No, the real "art" of being a sniper is being a ghost, and I suspect that skill is "gender-neutral"!

[limazulu]

During WWII, many Russian snipers were woman and they were very deadly.

[deano41]

That's great that you are sending her cards and letters. We sent our neighbor's son white cotton boot sox (they wear out fast), chapstick, hard candy, goldbond powder, and other things they might not be able to get easily. Ask her what she could use (and tell her not to be embarrased, she's doing a great job and deserves it!)

Dean (the other one)
OFC-Orange County Chapter

[John Kepler]

That's great that you are sending her cards and letters. We sent our neighbor's son white cotton boot sox (they wear out fast), chapstick, hard candy, goldbond powder, and other things they might not be able to get easily.

What my son wanted was "mouthwash"....lotsa "mouthwash"! Did you know that Listerine and Glenfiddich look the same....and that green food coloring doesn't bother vodka at all?

They ain't "little kids", and they're doing "Men's Work"!

[2571]

Young woman living across the dorm hall from my daughter used to post targets on her door. Usually, just one big hole. Team drove 60 mile roundtrip to practice every day as no ranges nearby at Liberal U.

Kid now at USMA, having been drafted for their rifle team.

You go, girl!

[Jim K]

I never knew a woman sniper, but I knew an Army captain who was a pretty little blonde. She had black belts in about everything there is a black belt for and was expert in every personal and crew-served weapon in the inventory except for artillery. She was the only person I ever knew who called a .50 HB M2 "cute". She thought an 81mm mortar was "neato", and frag grenades were fun.

I always wondered what would have happened if some fool guy had tried to attack her, but as far as I know, it never happened.

Jim

[RoninPhoenix]

a number of years ago I didn't know what La Palma was nor did I know the name Thompkins.
What I did know was my CMP shooting designation had dropped, and I wanted one of those bushmaster cmp ar15's. So I had to shoot a match. Was advised a leg match of laPalma was going to be held, so what the heck.
One of the girls, then about 16 or so was shooting with a "pink" stocked ar15. I won't tell me score, but she was up around 490. Blew me to pieces on the scores. I had her dad sign my score card for verification, and asked him if anyone back in cmp would know his signature.
He kind of smiled and said he thought they would know the signature. I later found out who he was.
I have to say I am proud they live in my home town area in arizona, and are real nice people.
The daughters are very nice and I have never forgot that rifle. Also shooting that day was a girl on the army rifle team. She humiliated me too.

[John Kepler]

When I got back into comp shooting after a 15 year "family-raising" hiatus, and finally found Highpower, I did so in the firm knowledge that I knew what I was doing. Heck, I was two-time Highpower champion at our local club...I HAD to know what I was doing.....right?

In my first LEG, after my Qualification Clinic I was squadded with this little nub of a maybe 15 year-old girl....cute as a bug! She shot my a$$ off, and even went so far as to try and "console" me! At that point, I knew that I had a LOT to learn, and seriously began the journey that I'm still on.

The girl? It was a very young Sara Rosanski....a Master at the time and very soon to be multi-time Ohio Junior Highpower Champion and High Master. Sara's a lot older and married now, but is STILL a steely-eyed hardholder (FWIW, she was in the NRA Long Range Service Rifle Shoot-Off at the Nationals last year).

[strippersid]

Awesome thread. You should re-post for newcomers that may have missed it. I've seen some sniper video on you tube showing this type of shot.