Support Your Local Sniper

The insurgency in Iraq is increasing the demand for U.S. military snipers.

Brian K. Sain, a Texas-based police sniper, is spearheading a private effort to supply the key ingredients to U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Mr. Sain heads Americansnipers.org, which has raised about $400,000 from the private sector — including major corporations and wealthy Hollywood celebrities — to help supply equipment to Marine and Army snipers.

Just this week, Mr. Sain received a request from a Marine in Fallujah asking for his group to provide him with a scope and bipod for his standard-issue M-16.

"I have an M-16 A4, I will be the designated marksman IF I can get my own equipment," the Marine stated.

"We're using snipers over there in record numbers," Mr. Sain said in an interview.

The military is finding its troops are experienced in using armored convoys but lack knowledge about using snipers against insurgents, he said.

"In a war, you need people that know how to shoot," Mr. Sain said.

A common insurgent tactic is to use a roadside bomb to attack a vehicle convoy and then shoot at soldiers in vehicles. To deal with the threat, more trained snipers and marksmen are being used to provide cover during the attacks, he said. The U.S. snipers in Iraq have become so effective against the insurgents that many have bounties placed on them by the terrorists and insurgents.

I have only one question. Where the hell is my tax money going?