Seventeen special operations sniper teams from across the U.S. joint force and allied nations converged on Fort Bragg last week for a gruelling five-day competition designed to sharpen skills and strengthen military partnerships.
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition ran March 15–19, hosted by the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. Now in its 17th year, the event drew participants from Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Naval Special Warfare Command, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Coast Guard units and multiple allied nations.
Special Forces sniper course instructors designed the challenges and served as officials and scorekeepers throughout the event.
“This competition represents the pinnacle of the sniper craft,” said Army Col. Simon Powelson, commander of the 2nd Special Warfare Training Group. “These competitors are not just here by chance — they are the product of intense and specialised training within their respective units.”
Two-man teams engaged targets at distances of up to 1,200 metres using sniper rifles, carbines and pistols across multiple ranges. Stages ran day and night, demanding rapid target acquisition, position changes and sustained communication under pressure throughout.
Opening day brought persistent thunderstorms. Rain, strong winds and reduced visibility created difficult shooting conditions from the outset — conditions organisers said were deliberate. “Our goal with the wind and rain was to make sure the visibility was the same for all the teams,” said course manager Timothy Gozelski.
Weather cleared in subsequent days, but temperatures dropped to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Variable winds swept across the ranges, forcing competitors to calculate wind speed and direction on the move while maintaining coordination with their partners.
Sniper course instructor Richard Cuza was direct about what separates successful teams. “Good, clear, concise communication is a must. It’s beyond important — it’s crucial.”
Gozelski agreed, stressing that synchronisation carries equal weight alongside marksmanship. “To be successful, the two have to talk and be on the same page in everything they do.”
Organisers designed the competition with a purpose beyond the range. The event serves as a vehicle for building interoperability between allied and joint force teams — a priority that carries growing operational significance as multinational missions become standard across multiple theatres.
International teams brought their own equipment and techniques, creating informal but valuable exchanges between competitors. “It’s not just about competing,” Gozelski said. “It’s about learning some things from our allies and how they operate. This competition helps us in expanding operational expertise.”
Cuza added: “It was great to have allies and teams from our sister services here. It will help us in working together — and that’s important.”
After five days of competition, the Army Special Operations Command team claimed the overall title, demonstrating consistent performance across every event and condition. The Army’s 3rd Special Forces Group finished second.
Powelson placed the result in its broader context. “Most importantly, this competition is a powerful vehicle for building esprit de corps among an elite group of warriors who may one day serve alongside each other.”
Competitors departed Fort Bragg with sharpened skills — and, organisers hope, the kind of professional relationships that matter when coalition forces operate together in the field.
Source: U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, via Ken Kassens,
