LE Sniper Basic Course

**UPDATED 4/11/23**

Police snipers are a specialty position within a specialty assignment.  They are required to operate independently and provide a solution where none other may exist.  Every time you deploy lives hang in the balance and perfection is the expectation.  These incidents are supremely difficult, regardless of range; statistics are worthless and the critic, an uneducated and arrogant fool.  The competence and trust that snipers prove and demonstrate is what makes them most valuable to their team.  All of this begins at the basic school level where proper mindset, technique, and understanding are born. 

Standing Offhand will get new snipers educated and functional from the start.    The Basic Course does not focus on passing a qual, rather we have tailored our instruction to emphasize comprehensive understanding of what you’re doing and equally important, why you’re doing it.  We require the individual to do the work and prove to us that you know how so that when you return to your teams, you are capable of meeting expectations immediately.  This course will give you the confidence and proficiency to complete tasks on-demand while also allowing you freedom to solve problems on your own.  We understand that this job is a lifestyle and will prepare you for what that means. 

This is a completely rethought 6-day comprehensive course designed to produce an immediately accessible resource ready for 90% of what LE snipers face. It goes well into the “intermediate” training phase and gives shooters the competence and confidence to effectively respond to our most common demands: search warrant and buy/bust coverage, observation and surveillance, barricaded suspects, large event and crowd overwatch, and outside unit support.  

Topics Covered:

Marksmanship, ballistics (physical and computer), tactics and strategy, equipment set-up, observation, personal survival, communication, camouflage and concealment, optics, hide site construction/use, barriers, extended range, CNVD selection and use, ARS, department policy discussion.

Required equipment:

  • Rifle capable of 1 MOA accuracy or better with factory match ammo; bolt action or semi-auto (no magnum or big-bore calibers).

  • Rifle scope: coordinated MOA or mils, preferably 1/4min or .1 mil.

  • Match grade duty ammo, 500 rounds (minimum).

  • Shooting support, front and rear: bipod, pack, sand sock, and tripod.

  • Sling: to shoot with (primary function) and carry the rifle (secondary).

  • Backpack: 3-day sized or similar for water, snacks, ammo, rain gear, etc.

  • Ear and eye protection.

  • Laser rangefinder.

  • Binoculars.

  • Weapon-mounted night vision devices (if available).

  • IR illuminator (if available).

  • Gas mask.

  • Body armor (concealable or plate carrier/jump vest).

  • Good footwear: hiking boots, approach shoes; no open toed or sandal style shoes.

  • Protective clothing: cargo pants/bdu’s, long-sleeve shirts, light jacket, hat, rain jacket and/or pants, etc.

  • Shooting mat.

  • Notepad and data book.

  • Sharpie markers for targets.

  • Calculator/phone.

  • Sunglasses.

  • Sustainment items: food, hydration, candy, sunscreen, scarf/shemagh. (A large cooler will be on site for cold storage).

  • Headlamp/flashlight.

  • Lunch breaks will be conducted on-site so bring chow each day.

Admin and Logistics:

Registration and waiver documents will be emailed upon contact and receipt of an email address.

Detailed course description, itinerary, and maps/directions provided upon registration.

Completion of a personal data sheet is required by all participants and is part of the registration process. This includes your birthdate, driver’s license number, and SSN. Dead Drift Consulting LLC/Standing Offhand does not provide firearms training of any kind to convicted felons or non-citizens of the United States. Sworn police officers can satisfy this requirement with a copy of their department ID card.

Payment: We work with your training coordinator or fiscal personnel for payment directly from your agency.  Please encourage your fiscal people to stay on top of this step; prior experience has shown that unless reminded, feet get dragged.

Equipment/gear recommendations are free, just give us a call.

SAFETY and drama-free conduct is paramount to the successful completion of this course. Instructors reserve the right to enforce safety regulations up to and including expulsion from the course at any time if major safety violations occur or behavior degrades the safe, enjoyable, and informative environment of this course for all students, without refund.

Tuition and additional fees

Course cost: $1200

Please contact us directly if you’d like to host this course at your range. We offer a course “package price” and the hosting agency receives a free seat in the course.

For those attending from out of state or traveling long distances we offer an ammunition storage and delivery service: $50 per shooter.