Marine Corps Eliminates Elite Scout Sniper Platoons

Marine Corps Eliminates Elite Scout Sniper Platoons

(UnitedVoice.com) – The Marine Corps is making a big change as the military branch adapts to the future of warfare. Not everyone is happy with the latest decision.

Since the 1940s, the Marines’ elite scout sniper platoons have served in every major conflict since WWII. The units consist of 26 Marines, an infantry gunnery sergeant, and a first lieutenant. They are responsible for various tasks, including reconnaissance and killing enemy combatants from a distance. The Marine Corps Plans, Policies and Operations department is getting rid of the platoons.

According to the Marine Corps Times, the service branch determined the scout sniper units don’t provide officials with “continuous all-weather information gathering.” Marine spokesman Capt. Ryan Bruce said the sniper platoons are being replaced with a Scout Platoon that will allow service members “to focus their training and evaluations on scouting, providing commanders” with information that will allow them to accomplish their mission.

The transition away from the units will happen immediately. The Marine Corps stressed the news doesn’t mean the branch won’t have snipers. In fact, Bruce made it clear service members will continue to have access to those trained to take out targets from a distance when they need them.

In a social media post, the USMC Scout Sniper Association criticized the decision to reorganize the military branch. The statement said the organization was “shocked and saddened” to hear the sniper scout platoons were being eliminated. It went on to say the group believes Marine leadership has “forgotten the lessons learned in combat, paid for with the blood” of their members. Instead of eliminating the platoons, the statement urged the Marine Corps to retrain “equip and organize the highly skilled and motivated Scout Snipers.”

The association believes the decision is “misguided” and urged Americans to contact their lawmakers to protest.

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