In this post we offer standard lines of dialogue that should shape the way a spotter communicates a target’s location to the shooter. This technique is demonstrated using the Projected Clock method in conjunction with walk on dialogue.
Recommended dialogue between a spotter and shooter after entering the engaging step of the S.N.I.P.E.R. Sequence is as follows:
Shooter: “Shooter ready”
*Spotter positively IDs and prioritizes target*
Spotter: “Target, AT infantry, 11 o’clock, 50 meters off”
Shooter: “On target”
Spotter: “Range is 952”
Shooter: “952”
Spotter: “Fire when ready”
*Shooter engages target*
Shooter: “Target down… ready”
Keep in mind this process is rarely as smooth as described above, but if you get to this point your preparation has paid off.
Keep It Simple Spotter
The common phrase we’ve adapted for this purpose is KISS, which we adapt to mean “Keep It Simple Spotter.” The more words it takes to walk the sniper on target — or if too much extraneous information is passed along — the spotter risks complicating the call and causing a missed opportunity or shot. A missed shot threatens your concealment and subsequently affects the difficulty of your mission later. You have to try as hard as possible to speak calmly and stay collected over comms while bullets are going over your head.
Why the spotter shouldn’t call where the round hits
The shooter will have other personal calculations to account for quickly in order to place the round effectively. For this reason, it’s easier for the shooter to adjust for any re-engagement. Walking a sniper on a target is never easy to master, taking many hours of trial and error just with one partner. Work hard to get the communication void of any emotions or running commentary.
What we’re looking for here is that systematic, well-oiled machine conversation; a verbal process free of any of the variations you can control. Start by refining and acclimating to standardized language in your team, and then evolve from there.