Airborne soldiers beat Marines at Marine sniper course, taking both top awards

Army Sgt. Clinton Scanlon, left, stands next to Army Sgt. Bryce Fox, right, after graduating the Scout Sniper Course at Camp Geiger on Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 13. The graduating class of 1-18 hosted the two Soldiers who became the course’s “high shooter” and “high stalker.” Scanlon and Fox are Soldiers from the 2d Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Madrigal)

Two US Army soldiers took the top finishing places at the US Marine Corps Scout Sniper Course, giving the Army bragging rights over its most direct-combat sibling-rival

Sergeant Clinton Scanlon and Sergeant Bryce Fox were named the course’s top shooter and stalker graduating from the April 13 course at Camp Geiger in North Carolina.

The two soldiers did feel they had an advantage, being graduates of the Army’s prestigious sniper school.

“We did go through U.S. Army Sniper School so I think we definitely had a leg up on some of the fresh Marines right out of the fleet,” said Scanlon, who was the high shooter. “It was clear that everyone here knew what they were doing and the instructors were able to get the guys here shooting very well.”

Army Sgt. Clinton Scanlon is congratulated by a fellow classmate after he graduated the scout sniper course at Camp Geiger on Marine Corps Air Station New River, April 13. The graduating class of 1-18 hosted two soldiers who became the course’s “high shooter” and “high stalker.” Scanlon is a soldier from the 2d Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment. (Cpl. Madrigal/Marine Corps)

Fox and Scanlon also differed from their Marine counterparts when it came to the issued rifles they are accustomed to: the Marines are using the M40A6, while the Army snipers are using the M2010.

The top-scoring stalker, Fox emphasized that getting to your target is just as important as using the rifle to take it out.

“You take a shot without being seen and they you shoot again,” Fox said in the release. “The (instructors) do a walking sequence to try and lock on you. If you don’t get found, you pass.”

According to Military Times, Scanlon would like to go to the USMC’s advanced course but is currently focused on going to teach his unit what he learned during his time at Camp Geiger.

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