alt.loading

NATO Multimedia

A NATO sniper's mindset

Publication date
Country
Themes
Filming date
Location
Type
Version

Calm, focus, breathe. Find out what it takes to be a sniper in the Norwegian army.

Synopsis

What does it take to lie in a hide site for days, covered in shrubbery, waiting to take the perfect shot?
Enter the mind of a sniper. Far from being just sharpshooters, snipers are also reconnaissance experts, trained observers who can blend in with their environment and gather data on targets. Should they need to, they can use their precision rifles to take long-range shots. This kind of missions require superhuman patience, concentration and a keen eye for detail.
A Norwegian sniper assigned to the NATO multinational battlegroup Lithuania takes us inside his mindset when he’s on the job. While in Lithuania, he’s learning how to integrate with his other NATO Allies through joint training.
From moving into position to preparing camouflage, going without food or rest in all conditions, we take a look at what it means to be a sniper. Filmed in Rukla, Lithuania, a Norwegian sniper working in a two-man team at the multinational battlegroup talks us through the skills needed to succeed in the role.

Transcript

— TEXT ON SCREEN —

A NATO SNIPER’S MINDSET

— SOUNDBITE IN ENGLISH —
Norwegian sniper - NATO multinational battlegroup Lithuania

“I think most of the people in the world think about snipers as the ones lying in a position and shooting at things.

But that's not something I do very often, no.

Our task is to find information.
Be the eyes and ears of the rest of the unit so that they can make their situational
awareness as good as possible.

To be a good sniper you need to have a focus on details and you have to have a good self-discipline and make the right decisions when the weather is bad. You're tired.
It’s been a while since your last meal.

When you're about to take an important shot,
you need to relax and focus on the crosshair
and breathing.

The shooter’s job is to make the shot as good as possible so that the spotter can correct it and hopefully hit it on the second shot if you didn't make it on the first.

‘Five, four, three, two…’
Music
“As Layers Peel” by Jani Lex Shaw
Usage rights
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes.
Reference
NATO906160
ID
2018