U.S. Marine Scout Sniper
U.S. DoD photo by Staff SGT. Sergio Jimenez
A U.S. Marine Scout Sniper, with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (Special Operations Capable), provides overwatch during an exercise at the U.S. Embassy Compound, Doha, Qatar, May 2006.
He is armed with a M40 sniper rifle.
A M49 Spotting Scope can be seen to his left.
Spotting scopes are used by the other member of a 2-man Scout Sniper team to find, observe and assess targets for the shooter.
The recoil caused by firing his weapon, will typically cause a sniper to lose sight of his target.
His spotter, however, can keep eyes on the target before, during and after the shot.
