OCTOBER 20, 2025 – Marines with Scout Platoon of the Weapons Company of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, along with a British Royal Marine Commando Sniper Team, and sniper instructors from II MEF EOTG , conducted a Fleet Experimental Exercise at Range 215, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California, from September 16 through October 3, 2025.
The exercise included threat and technology training, as well as force-on-force exercises, to develop advanced counter-sniper tactics, techniques, and procedures.
During the exercise, technology and tactics were developed that facilitated Marine Counter Sniper capabilities that unmask potential sniper threat positions, observers or anyone conducting surveillance.
“This U.S.–U.K. collaboration represents continued development and understanding of new technologies and how we can leverage them,” said U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Thomas Rosenthal, an infantry officer with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. “It also helps us understand how our adversaries might use similar technologies and how we can counter them.”
Scout snipers from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment used standard operating procedures to test these new capabilities and limitations, identifying when the optic is effective and when it is not.
“This technology gives us the ability to identify threats and take action before the enemy does,” said Rosenthal. “It’s another tool in our toolkit that complements our standard operating procedures.”
The battalion has maintained an ongoing partnership with the Naval Research Laboratory throughout development of this experiment. During their last deployment to Okinawa, Marines continued refining the counter sniper technology while conducting a weeklong training session that included classroom instruction and hands-on exercises.
“Utilizing Training Area East with Range 215 and 200 gives us that flexibility to put the Marines into multiple scenarios in which to develop the TTPs,” said Rosenthal. These test ranges facilitate testing at scale due to their vast terrain and permissive space.
According to the MCDP-1 Warfighting, “to locate a force is to understand its capabilities and limitations, enabling the commander to make informed decisions.” This technology places that capability directly in the hands of the warfighter.
The force-on-force exercise revealed key areas for improving the Marine Corps’ counter-sniper capability. Working alongside 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, the Naval Research Laboratory gained valuable insights into this technology’s real-world performance, identifying both strengths and limitations.
These findings will guide future enhancements, ensuring that tomorrow’s Marines are better equipped to detect, unmask, and counter advanced sniper threats on the battlefield.
Story by Lance Cpl. Gracelyn Hanson
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center