Special Forces Sniper Team

Members of 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) sniper team, concealed beneath netting in a hide.

A Special Forces sniper team consists of a shooter and spotter.

In this photo, the spotter is using a spotting scope to spot targets and call adjustments for his shooter, who is armed with a XM2010 .

300 Winmag rifle.

Special Forces sniper teams are trained by their special forces group, to level II level.

Select Special Forces snipers undergo an 8-week Special Forces Sniper Course (SFSC) at John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, qualifying as SOF-level I snipers.

Each 12-man Special Forces operational detachment A (SFODA) typically features at least 2 snipers (level I or level II).

The main difference between level I and Level II snipers is in the type of shooting trained for.

Level I snipers are capable of engaging targets in close proximity to friendly/non-combatant forces.

Level I snipers are also trained to shoot out to the maximum range of the standard sniper weapon system (previously the M24 SWS, now the XM2010).

Level I snipers are also able to train other U.S. forces to Level II standard, whereas Level II snipers may only train partner nation forces snipers.

Both level I and Level II Special Forces snipers are required to maintain proficiency via regular refresher training.