What are the motivations in the sniper?

Answer 1

Prior to their current popularity and the formal established schools which were created in the US in 1969 for the USMC and the 1980s for the US Army, US Military (Army/Marines) were primarily men that were loners (men who preferred to work alone) and men that were hunters. Most snipers (during the Vietnam War) preferred to work alone (in contrast to being with a platoon or company of men). Even though the US Army (or Marine) sniper in Vietnam was stilled assigned a man or two (sniper team and/or a security team armed with automatic weapons) he still managed to operate or nearly operate alone in the field. In the rear (base camp or firebase) he remained to himself, choosing his own company, if and when opportunity arose.

US Army snipers in Vietnam were trained in country at division (or in rare cases, brigade) levels. There was no official USA sniper trng stateside. For some men, mobility was also a prime factor. A sniper could go where the hunting was best. Return with the kill info to the S2, let the S3 know where he's headed next, then report again when another kill was made. On and on, until his tour was up. Freedom of movement, no hassels with higher, work your own hours and speed...but watch out for friendly fire. A sniper in Nam operated much like that of his enemy, and that could draw GI fire; this included airstrikes, helicopter gunships, hidden claymores, hidden electronic devices that alerted choppers and artillery strikes, and GI patrols. A hard working GI sniper in Vietnam had to watch for both enemy and friendly fire. Either could take him out!