Sig Sauer SniperFest: Review and Key Takeaways - MDT Field Report

After completing the Sig Sauer Sniper Academy and the Advanced Rural Sniper course from Tacflow Academy, I was allowed to attend SniperFest. Who can attend SniperFest? Active Duty military and law-enforcement snipers only. SniperFest is a three-day program that is not just about competition. While it is recognized for its very difficult and prestigious competition, that is only on the last day.

The first day is a meet and greet. This involves some podium education, guest speakers, and the opportunity for vendors to update the active communities on rifles and equipment to aid the individual operators in their mission. This is followed by a socially engaging lunch, where active snipers can get to know each other, discuss tactics, techniques, and procedures, and exchange contact information.

SniperFest is only open to Law Enforcement and Military Snipers.

Day two is all about education. Instructors with advanced backgrounds put their course outlines forward so you can sign up for specific training. As many as eight classes are happening simultaneously. Some of the ones I was lucky enough to attend were close-quarter combat (CQC) flow. This is more carbine application vs utilizing a sniper rifle. I was also able to attend Helicopter Operations, which, given its very short time frame, was very granular. The course discussed deployment kits, rapid duties transition from patrol to helicopter, procedures, and live fire engagement. Many other wonderful topics during this day were filled with education and did nothing to prepare for the competition. Many schools I have attended spend a good amount of time preparing you for the test or whatever graded exercise that will end the course. This was not the case at SniperFest.

Helicopter Operations.

Competition day. The morning was tense as everyone knew they were about to be measured. If you are lucky enough to have a spotter, you are paired with the friend you brought. If you're a goof like me who showed up solo, you are paired the morning of. The two of you will learn to work together under live fire operations. Without giving away too much, the design of the competition was very familiar to the Arizona Long Range precision series. One of many twists was that you could only use duty equipment that you typically deploy with. In addition, there was a higher standard of fitness application. Stress was applied with numerous hills and the need to rapidly get into positions that are not so conveniently located, like up a hill. Some of these targets included silhouettes within vehicles. Not only was the SniperFest a ton of fun, but it offered lots of great challenges. It was also a great opportunity to learn and get to know your peers that you otherwise might not have the opportunity to meet. I had a great time and a ton of fun. I was fortunate enough to place second overall in this match.

Competition and Training required the use of duty gear.

The big takeaways of SniperFest:

1. Step outside of your comfort zone. Competition can be daunting, especially for people in active communities, as sometimes our confidence can beget our competence. Give yourself permission to make mistakes so we can grow in training and not repeat those mistakes when it counts; no, I don't mean competition.
2. Listen to the stories and share yours. We all love telling the story of our best day, but the most valuable one will likely involve our worst. Share your failures so others can grow from your mistakes. This was a big part of day 1.
3. Invest in your fellow shooter. Be it Mil / LEO or just range bud. Come together to help one another; you never know what little tip or trick may help that shooter make his shot, stay alive, or take his deer.
4. Be humble; while giving knowledge, be ready to accept knowledge even if you don't agree with it, consider its value, and see the intentions of the other. (this "fest" had all levels of shooters all were looking out for each other)
5. Ask questions. The more we learn in training and conversation, the less we need to learn from bad experiences or blood.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Orgel enlisted in the USMC in 2004 as an Infantry Rifleman (0311), serving with 3rd Bn 1st Marines in Iraq, including roles as a point man in OIF-3 & team leader in OIF-6. Later, he joined the 1st Marine Regiment, achieved the rank of Sergeant in 2010, & continued service in Afghanistan. Upon returning, he became a Combat Instructor at the School Of Infantry West. Transitioning to private military contracting with Securing Our Country (SOC), he instructed at the American Embassy in Iraq. In 2018, Rob became Chief Instructor at GPS Defense Sniper School, revamping their program. Now, as owner & lead instructor at Emergency Response Tactical, he focuses on training novice to advanced shooters on the range over 300 days a year.