The best data would be from Vietnam on how long snipers live.. and well. the US LOST that war, so I don't think bragging is in order.
First, Vietnam was not a war. It was a conflict. Thereby our men could not fire first. If you don't fire first, well, it kinda sucks to be you. If Vietnam had been upgraded to an actual war, there's no question in my mind as to who would have won.
Now, as for how long snipers live in combat:
Sniper Rule #1: Survive
Sniper Rule #2: Complete your mission
My father had several friends in Vietnam who were snipers. One of them was dropped into the top of a tree about 1000m outside of a village where the Vietnames leader was rumored to be staying for a while. The sniper had said leader in his sights for three days, but never took the shot. A squad of Vietnamese soldiers camped under his tree the morning after he was airdropped into the tree. Taking the shot, he would have succeeded in his mission (Rule #2), but he would have died or been captured (Rule #1).
The US Military spends so much money training snipers that it costs too much to lose them. Hence, Rule #1. |
