When I joined up (24 years ago) I trained with a Royal Anglian sniper as one of my first DS - and I saw a few more sniper cadres taking place during my service here and there. What a trip down memory lane. Hide and seek champs!! Thanks for recording and sharing this.
First experience of a sniper in basic training was a demonstration of how hard they are to spot. We had to move across this field and stop at say 10yds intervals and point him out to the staff if we aaw him, and then moved forward again etc etc. I actually laid down next to the bloke in some grass that was maybe a foot tall and after say 30 seconds of the instructor asking if i could see him in the distance and me saying no, he casually rolled over on top of me and said gotcha. If he hadn't I'd have passed right by him. Never forget that, ans that was about 30 years ago ... or the fact he had a really bright ginger moustache and beard (weird thing yo recall i know). Was a top bloke too... really happy to talk about his role and proper encouraging.
Just now, reading your story, I recall very early in my career. Might even have been right after Basic. I was on an evasion exercise, where we were to conduct a mock ambush on a column. It constantly rained, making it easier to evade enemy patrols. Suddenly I heard movement close by, from my 2 o'clock. It was the hunting force (Red team), and I went to the ground. I was up front scouting, and got physically seperated from the rest of my section, as they scattered in the direction we came from. The Red guys, three of them, came closer and closer to me. When they were right on top of me, maybe 2 meters, they stopped, and pulled out their rations. I lay there for maybe 30 minutes, completely still, hearing every word of their subdued conversations. I was freezing like never before, miserable, and scared. Even though an exercise. I started getting sleepy from the wet ground lowering my body temperature, and fought not to close my eyes. Finally I decided that this wasn't a tenable situation, and I started yelling 'da da da, da da da', "You're dead, you're dead". And I slowly got to my feet, shaking all over, and hardly being able to stand. One of the guys fell over, and knocked his pot over, his food landing on the ground. We failed the exercise, as my section, While trying to complete the objective. Got caught in an ambush, by another Red patrol. Without realising it at the time, I learned a lot that night, hat followed me, for the rest of my 10+ years career, in the Danish armed forces. Especially from the bad choices of the three Red guys. But also about the craft in general, and about my self. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. I haven't thought about this for many years.
I remember working with a German Pioneer unit years ago with their new recruit training. I had one guy take a leak on me, then crawled into the CO tent and had a beer with him joking about what happened. Then had him put some night vision goggles on to see all the NVG chemlights over all the fighting positions before everyone else started the night attack. I also had a few breaches in the wire lit up also for them the drive through into the camp.
You had to fire your second round when the "walkers" were within 10m of your position to allow the OP a smaller area of observation to locate you. Then the "walkers" would physically put their hand on the snipers head as a "final" test of the perfect cam, concealment, position and field craft. Then the OP was asked again if they could see the sniper to pass or fail a stalking exercise. I passed my training on Catterick training area through January and February 1990.
Everyone is mentioning thermals. Thermals have limited range, at least the light portable ones. Mist and fog further limits the range because they absorb IR radiation. These snipers are not moving to with a few hundred meters. They are likely taking shots at over 500 meters away. And if the are behind some vegetation, that helps block some of the IR signiture. Don't get me wrong, thermal help, but it isn't a guarantee.
You'd be surprised. I have a "budget" £1000 thermal and can spot a human at over a mile. The only things that really defeat thermal are thick clothing, which of course can limit movement (not really an issue if you're a sniper), survival blankets, glass and thick cover, it easily sees through light cover and if anything is even slightly warmer than the background radiation then the operator can generally discern that from the background, i.e. you get used to seeing what is not an animal or residual heat from the daylight sun, but someone or something that is not perfectly hidden, their kit as well can look different to the background too. Thermal sees straight through fog, thick rain is pretty good for messing with thermals abilities, though. Probably the best way to defeat thermal detection, would be to have some sort of light cover, like a 2m square sheet, that you could put up in front of you and something that was interwoven with silver thread, and it would likely block the thermals view of your body and equipment, I'm sure the various militaries are working on ways to defeat thermal with interwoven materials.
there are ir cams as big as a sharpener that can detect heat signatures from up to a km away, ofc task of a sniper is to not even give the enemy a reason to put a ir cam toward your position but as how everyone sees in the ukr conflict, fog of war is nonexistent due to drones being literally everywhere in a country thats mostly covered in farm land. snipers should just stay in the heavy wooded/ urban areas xd
"Don't judge us because only one guy made it, judge is even harder than that" I like that humbleness. I feel like that's what the American army is missing
Watching this really gives me confidence in our forces! However i can't help thinking as to how/whether they train to camouflage against thermal optics which they will undoubtedly be encountering in modern combat scenarios
I reckon that is true, but not talked about for military intelligence & strategic purposes. Thermal cloaks, which can make you invisible to thermal sights, are already in use in Ukraine.
I remember defending the hills around Leek, from the incursion of Fantasian forces with their Warsaw Pact weapons and tactics, back in the 90s with Liverpool UOTC
Only in the last two years have I been stringing together anecdotes and old family photos and postcards to establish that the gamekeeper side of my family also had a few generations of Lovat Scouts. I have one photo dated 1907. That unit was expressly formed by recruiting highland gamekeepers who already had many of the concealment, stalking, and shooting skills. Plus they often traveled mounted prior to WWII. It's neat when delving into things and putting the pieces together.
I have a friend who was in the British SAS who has his Sniper badge and he explained to process involved to get the badge. I think if you wish to see the qualified British sniper you are going to have to invest in several extra pairs of eyes for to qualify as a sniper you are required to advance, unseen, a distance of I believe 1600 metres for you are not allowed a shot of more than 400 metres all the while with several observers looking for you from elevated and various points and if spotted failed. Once you have taken the shot You call out to the nearest observer estimates in metres of your location in relation to that observer who relays the info to the other observers if any can see you you fail I believe that that observer has to be standing beside you and your still not being seen and when he puts hand on you you are deemed passed. I had an experience in army cadets where we were required to conceal ourselves in a manner where we could see but not be seen and I had guys walk right over top of me and I ended up having to reveal myself because they gave up trying to find me. The effectiveness of my concealment stood me in good stead with the NCOs when I did show. That’s the army.
this is the glorious side to it, what they don't tell you is that it's advisable to wear a nappy and if natural does call, you'll have a sticky back side until your home bound
@@MyScotty7those do not work effectively. They mitigate signatures but do not make them invisible. Thermal has made traditional camouflaging much less useful
During one ultra run in the treeless, coverless UK Lake District (or wherever this British rangers training ground coincides) one lady squatted down to relieve herself. Then looked into the eyes of two commandos in hiding, 1 m away. I heard this on a runners podcast and couldn't stop laughing (that it wasn't me).
@@phitsf5475 idk, with the US trying to make them standard issue, the tech could become much more easily available if manufactured at a larger scale. If that happens you can almost bet China and Russia would try and give it to more of their troops
@@phitsf5475you can buy thermal addon for £1200 which is pennies for governments and the next gens scopes from £4000 so dont you believe it. Ive got basic thermal not many can hide from that unless you are in very thick bushes even you cant see though it or your target cant see you otherwise its good nite 😂
@@Paulgotit862 not really, unless you are completely covered to the point that you cant see anything. Even then a drone with or without a thermal will probably spot you anyway
Most people think sniping is about shooting people like high ranking generals, or...camping the same room over and over in CoD. In reality, almost all the work is recon and you rarely ever shoot anyone.
Always amazed how professionals like Snipers, high up rock climbers , etc go to the bathroom # 2. Seriously, how ? Hearing snipers may stay in same position hardly moving for days so as to not get detected …. Just a silly but serious thought.
They go like anyone else, although if you are eating the right things you can *easily* keep your output to twice a week. Snipers don't generally get on an OP and stay motionless for days.
as a sniper student, spotting a british sniper before they spot me would be impossible, im colorblind grass looks blue to me so camos would be my nightmare, unless im using it.
They look good. But they need some darker foliage for the gillie suit to match the bushes. That reveal behind the journalist didn't fool me a bit - and I can be easily fooled. They also need something to break up the outline of their rifles, their legs, their rucks, and scope hex lens caps. Walking on the dark muddy trails is a bit of a giveaway. You might spot a bush walking among bushes. But you will surely see one walking on a dark trail. All that said, I'm sure the graduates will be absolute Ninjas.
Respect to everyone who is serving in the british armed forces. I need to ask though why are you publishing videos about the tactics and showing the equipment that they use I would think this is something that we don't want everyone to know. RUclips is world wide not just england
A drone with a thermal imager just wrecks this. War has altered. A fat kid with a games controller, a can of redbull whike sat in a comfotable gaming chair and a pizza can drop a grenade on top of you.
I love the fact they show the people as much as they can without revealing any identifiable features. This makes the segment much more grounded.
Stalking was much easier till the thermal imaging became inexpensive
If France stopped selling Russia Thermal devices then it wouldn't be an issue.
The Russians will just replace the manifcaturing with their own, or import trough another country@@PaxBritannica34563
@@PaxBritannica34563 Talib would have got thousands of thermal scopes left behind by America.
Don’t worry we have thermal cloaks that shield you from thermal vision now
@@fredslipknot9I'd be interested in watching a training exercise with both in play
When I joined up (24 years ago) I trained with a Royal Anglian sniper as one of my first DS - and I saw a few more sniper cadres taking place during my service here and there. What a trip down memory lane. Hide and seek champs!! Thanks for recording and sharing this.
"looks like a geezer's laying there"
"yeah like just plunked himself on top" 🤣
How to spot a British Army sniper before they see you:
Look for the news crew.
Very true😂😂😂
😂
First experience of a sniper in basic training was a demonstration of how hard they are to spot. We had to move across this field and stop at say 10yds intervals and point him out to the staff if we aaw him, and then moved forward again etc etc. I actually laid down next to the bloke in some grass that was maybe a foot tall and after say 30 seconds of the instructor asking if i could see him in the distance and me saying no, he casually rolled over on top of me and said gotcha. If he hadn't I'd have passed right by him. Never forget that, ans that was about 30 years ago ... or the fact he had a really bright ginger moustache and beard (weird thing yo recall i know). Was a top bloke too... really happy to talk about his role and proper encouraging.
Now that’s a class act
Just now, reading your story, I recall very early in my career. Might even have been right after Basic.
I was on an evasion exercise, where we were to conduct a mock ambush on a column. It constantly rained, making it easier to evade enemy patrols.
Suddenly I heard movement close by, from my 2 o'clock. It was the hunting force (Red team), and I went to the ground.
I was up front scouting, and got physically seperated from the rest of my section, as they scattered in the direction we came from.
The Red guys, three of them, came closer and closer to me. When they were right on top of me, maybe 2 meters, they stopped, and pulled out their rations. I lay there for maybe 30 minutes, completely still, hearing every word of their subdued conversations.
I was freezing like never before, miserable, and scared. Even though an exercise.
I started getting sleepy from the wet ground lowering my body temperature, and fought not to close my eyes.
Finally I decided that this wasn't a tenable situation, and I started yelling 'da da da, da da da', "You're dead, you're dead". And I slowly got to my feet, shaking all over, and hardly being able to stand.
One of the guys fell over, and knocked his pot over, his food landing on the ground.
We failed the exercise, as my section,
While trying to complete the objective. Got caught in an ambush, by another Red patrol.
Without realising it at the time, I learned a lot that night, hat followed me, for the rest of my 10+ years career, in the Danish armed forces. Especially from the bad choices of the three Red guys. But also about the craft in general, and about my self.
Thanks for taking me down memory lane. I haven't thought about this for many years.
Kudos
Thank you for sharing - what did you learn about yourself?
I remember working with a German Pioneer unit years ago with their new recruit training. I had one guy take a leak on me, then crawled into the CO tent and had a beer with him joking about what happened. Then had him put some night vision goggles on to see all the NVG chemlights over all the fighting positions before everyone else started the night attack. I also had a few breaches in the wire lit up also for them the drive through into the camp.
0:41 " With the aim to see and not being seen" reminded me of that Monty Python sketch
How to spot a British Army sniper before they see you:
Smell the Tea.
You had to fire your second round when the "walkers" were within 10m of your position to allow the OP a smaller area of observation to locate you. Then the "walkers" would physically put their hand on the snipers head as a "final" test of the perfect cam, concealment, position and field craft. Then the OP was asked again if they could see the sniper to pass or fail a stalking exercise. I passed my training on Catterick training area through January and February 1990.
Everyone is mentioning thermals. Thermals have limited range, at least the light portable ones. Mist and fog further limits the range because they absorb IR radiation. These snipers are not moving to with a few hundred meters. They are likely taking shots at over 500 meters away. And if the are behind some vegetation, that helps block some of the IR signiture. Don't get me wrong, thermal help, but it isn't a guarantee.
BMP go brrrrrrrrrr
Thermals might have limited range but drones have a good range
You'd be surprised. I have a "budget" £1000 thermal and can spot a human at over a mile. The only things that really defeat thermal are thick clothing, which of course can limit movement (not really an issue if you're a sniper), survival blankets, glass and thick cover, it easily sees through light cover and if anything is even slightly warmer than the background radiation then the operator can generally discern that from the background, i.e. you get used to seeing what is not an animal or residual heat from the daylight sun, but someone or something that is not perfectly hidden, their kit as well can look different to the background too. Thermal sees straight through fog, thick rain is pretty good for messing with thermals abilities, though.
Probably the best way to defeat thermal detection, would be to have some sort of light cover, like a 2m square sheet, that you could put up in front of you and something that was interwoven with silver thread, and it would likely block the thermals view of your body and equipment, I'm sure the various militaries are working on ways to defeat thermal with interwoven materials.
Thermals can see a lot further than 500m 😂
there are ir cams as big as a sharpener that can detect heat signatures from up to a km away, ofc task of a sniper is to not even give the enemy a reason to put a ir cam toward your position but as how everyone sees in the ukr conflict, fog of war is nonexistent due to drones being literally everywhere in a country thats mostly covered in farm land. snipers should just stay in the heavy wooded/ urban areas xd
me uncle a scouser was a r m sniper on mount harriet in falklands war he had a few confirmed kills
"Don't judge us because only one guy made it, judge is even harder than that"
I like that humbleness. I feel like that's what the American army is missing
Call to which front line exactly?
Whichever one arises.
@@ProfessorDoom I'm more concerned with calls to current ones.
1:11 what you zooming in on there bud?
He who gays wins.
Beautiful countryside
it really is when your not subjected to the micro climate there, just came back from that training ground myself and we had all 4 seasons in an hour
@@cheifareno4924 devine looks like Wales 150 m
@@Steve-hu7jf Leek & Upper Hulme, I believe.
Cold, wet, uncomfortable, you can get lost very easily in the mist, these are some of the harshest training grounds in the world.
@@baconcrusader7476 Staffordshire? It never seemed that fierce when I trained there.
Watching this really gives me confidence in our forces! However i can't help thinking as to how/whether they train to camouflage against thermal optics which they will undoubtedly be encountering in modern combat scenarios
I reckon that is true, but not talked about for military intelligence & strategic purposes. Thermal cloaks, which can make you invisible to thermal sights, are already in use in Ukraine.
The clothing all British troops wear is infrared reflective which doesn't make you invisible to thermals but much harder to spot at least
@@robertcumming9227 I'm in deep cover in these reply threads, if you can see me, shout out.
Ya that's part of their OPSEC I'm sure. I'm sure the Russians want to know the answer to that question also.
@@robertcumming9227 also something the Iraqis learnt quickly is literally to just ambush a squad wearing thermal blankets
I have a sniper in the family and I have met one other so thats 2 that I personally know. I have learned alot from the old school 60's sniper .
I remember defending the hills around Leek, from the incursion of Fantasian forces with their Warsaw Pact weapons and tactics, back in the 90s with Liverpool UOTC
Hey NATO enemies, this is how you spot a British sniper, what genius is making these videos
Only in the last two years have I been stringing together anecdotes and old family photos and postcards to establish that the gamekeeper side of my family also had a few generations of Lovat Scouts. I have one photo dated 1907. That unit was expressly formed by recruiting highland gamekeepers who already had many of the concealment, stalking, and shooting skills. Plus they often traveled mounted prior to WWII. It's neat when delving into things and putting the pieces together.
I’m going with “loudly offer the surrounding landscape a cuppa”
6:07 the way he said "...and assault pioneers..." 😂😂😂
Lol. Grave diggers and 'chunkies'
Salty pioneers
They must get completely covered in tics.
The 'Hero' sleeves and hair on the DS is truly gopping.
I have a friend who was in the British SAS who has his Sniper badge and he explained to process involved to get the badge. I think if you wish to see the qualified British sniper you are going to have to invest in several extra pairs of eyes for to qualify as a sniper you are required to advance, unseen, a distance of I believe 1600 metres for you are not allowed a shot of more than 400 metres all the while with several observers looking for you from elevated and various points and if spotted failed. Once you have taken the shot You call out to the nearest observer estimates in metres of your location in relation to that observer who relays the info to the other observers if any can see you you fail I believe that that observer has to be standing beside you and your still not being seen and when he puts hand on you you are deemed passed. I had an experience in army cadets where we were required to conceal ourselves in a manner where we could see but not be seen and I had guys walk right over top of me and I ended up having to reveal myself because they gave up trying to find me. The effectiveness of my concealment stood me in good stead with the NCOs when I did show. That’s the army.
spot the tea cup beside a bush
I like how the thumbnail's caption has its last few letters covered by the run-time, so it says: "How to spot a Sni..."
That sniper course is world renowned,im certain other countries send thier snipers/potential there because its that high a standard since ww2
high stakes hide-and-seek
“Everyone wants to be a sniper”?
“Hold my binoculars” forward observer
You just yell you're out of tea and they'll offer you some
this is the glorious side to it, what they don't tell you is that it's advisable to wear a nappy and if natural does call, you'll have a sticky back side until your home bound
I read that the snipers 2nd has to clean him up in that scenario. You won't see that in a war movie!!!
@@purplemonkeyelephant a rookie initiation
That's just the information I needed.
He who has thermal, wins!
Thermal suits they have now even tanks have anti thermal covers
@@MyScotty7 do you really think they're going to give a thermal suit to every soldier!? Lol
@@MyScotty7those do not work effectively. They mitigate signatures but do not make them invisible. Thermal has made traditional camouflaging much less useful
Snipers don't always shoot, often employed in reconnaissance to gain itel on targets, guide and affirm successful hits.
Listen for the chewing of crumpets and the slurping of tea
Outstanding!!!
Enough said.
During one ultra run in the treeless, coverless UK Lake District (or wherever this British rangers training ground coincides) one lady squatted down to relieve herself. Then looked into the eyes of two commandos in hiding, 1 m away. I heard this on a runners podcast and couldn't stop laughing (that it wasn't me).
Her blank stare is scaring me
I didn't know the Peak District was a training area
You holler "Free Beer"!
Crate for that open pouch @4:27
By the time you spot him. You are already gone my guy.
He wont hide from thermals which are a must today
You overestimate how many adversaries will be equipped with thermals
@@phitsf5475 idk, with the US trying to make them standard issue, the tech could become much more easily available if manufactured at a larger scale. If that happens you can almost bet China and Russia would try and give it to more of their troops
Aren't there ways to hide from thermal vision? I
@@phitsf5475you can buy thermal addon for £1200 which is pennies for governments and the next gens scopes from £4000 so dont you believe it. Ive got basic thermal not many can hide from that unless you are in very thick bushes even you cant see though it or your target cant see you otherwise its good nite 😂
@@Paulgotit862 not really, unless you are completely covered to the point that you cant see anything. Even then a drone with or without a thermal will probably spot you anyway
It’s all about camouflage and concealment! Basics of military training.
Damn those ruck sacks be looking inspection ready. 😂
1 rifle coy and 3 specialist coys sounds like a risking strategy. but hope it works on real ops
Cool guide
The trick to spotting a sniper is... you don't
You can increase intensity of sniper training in lake District
I feel like it's the opposite, only one succeeding should bring people comfort and respect about the standard they have to pass.
Most people think sniping is about shooting people like high ranking generals, or...camping the same room over and over in CoD. In reality, almost all the work is recon and you rarely ever shoot anyone.
must be one scary game of hide and seek
Lol 😂
Always amazed how professionals like Snipers, high up rock climbers , etc go to the bathroom # 2. Seriously, how ? Hearing snipers may stay in same position hardly moving for days so as to not get detected …. Just a silly but serious thought.
Unfortunately… they cannot move regardless of any ‘urges’ - proper technique is to just go, without moving.. sorting the situation when you’re home.
They generally avoid food stuffs that are more likely to make them poop. Is one of the things I was told.
They go like anyone else, although if you are eating the right things you can *easily* keep your output to twice a week. Snipers don't generally get on an OP and stay motionless for days.
Great topic, you might as well do a story on how to honeytrap an off duty soldier.
Great work 👍🏻
@4:48 => the Brits' have Tommy Hilfiger sniper uniforms! No wonder they look so sharp.
1:39 what stealthy sniper walks into a tree like that? Absolute joker. That sniper be toast before he's even in a position bruh
as a sniper student, spotting a british sniper before they spot me would be impossible, im colorblind grass looks blue to me so camos would be my nightmare, unless im using it.
I was saying to myself
"WHY IN THE HELL WOULD THEY PUT THIS ON THE INTERNET?"
But this is a good video,
that area looks like HEAVY METAL from BFBC2
Just jump up and down waving your arms and look for the bang and flash.
How to spot a British Army sniper before they see you:
Watch for the steam from his cup o' tea
0:25 And this, my friends, is a man who has learned to put color on his face, but no on his hands.
how to spot a sniper: it's the guy with the big scope on his rifle
Far more needed...
They look good. But they need some darker foliage for the gillie suit to match the bushes. That reveal behind the journalist didn't fool me a bit - and I can be easily fooled. They also need something to break up the outline of their rifles, their legs, their rucks, and scope hex lens caps. Walking on the dark muddy trails is a bit of a giveaway. You might spot a bush walking among bushes. But you will surely see one walking on a dark trail. All that said, I'm sure the graduates will be absolute Ninjas.
😂😂😂
Armchair general always knows better
@@rorystockley5969 I am one now. But I wasn't always.
but dont the enemy have thermal imaging these days?
Конечно нет 😏
@@kk-wl2ygлол
My commander had a saying: Either you know how to spot the sniper or it doesn't matter.
(I haven't had a commander, I haven't been to the military)
Is it the guy who smells like sausage rolls? And you can here him saying "This is a good spot innit?" from miles away?
Good effort lads
Don't worry. He will tell you.
After that you could do a real course with the RM.
You don't
Some weird camera angle choices..
The origins of Big Foot
lol thermals. Might want to update some of that training.
How do you spot a voyeur and night stalker? Same technique?
if you cant beat the bush become the bush lol
incredible
What about terminal scope's 🤔
Misleading title they're just talking about things and not telling you anything
those packs you see em wearing are made by elberlestock, theyre excellent pieces of equipment
A walking Bush is usually a give away . 😅😅.
Now I know how to spot a sniper.
sure fail , but just a training for the trainee sniper, always be on your guard even travelling
WHY ARE YOU TEACHING THE ENEMY?????? THIS IS SABOTAGE
He will have a cup of tea next to him
Respect to everyone who is serving in the british armed forces. I need to ask though why are you publishing videos about the tactics and showing the equipment that they use I would think this is something that we don't want everyone to know. RUclips is world wide not just england
I would love to have a go, i would suck but still.
Will thermal imaging and drones make snipers irrelevant?
Cameraman standing next to him doesn't help.
Where about is this area? Looks gorgeous
You see them at the baggies bar most Friday nights.
Best of luck young people.
Stay safe.
Camera addiction. Miltants far and wide thank you for your free training videos.
Why is this public information?
A drone with a thermal imager just wrecks this.
War has altered.
A fat kid with a games controller, a can of redbull whike sat in a comfotable gaming chair and a pizza can drop a grenade on top of you.
I hope it doesn't
come to this.
Wait for the scope glint obs
arent the camera crew giving the snipers away to the spotters?