The shooters competed with their own sniper rifles, firing either 7.62 mm or 5.56 mm, their own carbines with 5.56 mm, and their own pistols in a variety of calibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They not only competed against each other and but against time limits, from four to eight minutes per event, with a limited quantity of ammo. The events change each year of the competition, each one designed by instructors from the Special Forces Sniper Course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The instructors from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School designed the events to challenge two-person teams in their ability to work together, and test their speed and accuracy in various types of environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The focus this year, in the 10th competition, was mental agility in real-world tactical applications, according to an Army release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis year we wanted to focus on bringing guys in who may shoot competitively on the side but the core tasks would revolve around real-world application,” said Master Sgt. Josh, a Special Forces Sniper Course instructor identified in the release only by his first name and rank. \u201cWe used sounds, artillery simulators, and bunkers to induce chaos and make them think through things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The winners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 1st place: USASOC<\/li>
- 2nd place: USASOC<\/li>
- 3rd place: Marine Corps Scout Sniper<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sniper-competition.jpeg.jpg\")
A shooter in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition takes aim during an event at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n