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PRoFeSSIonS & CAReeRS
snipers
What is it like to be a sniper?
Michael Janke, Author, Navy SEAL Sniper, CEO, Privacy
Advocate, Philospher
not an easy question to answer — almost uncomfortable for
me. I am not quite sure how to address such a personal question
. . . I recognize the fascination that the public has with
this strange profession & skill — both morbid and sensationalized
at the same time. So here goes.
As a 12-year SeAL and Sniper, I spent the better part of
my adult life learning, using, refining, and living this skill,
yet I find it difficult to put into words "what it is like to be a
sniper". In the Teams, older snipers and team leaders look
for more "solitary and quiet" individuals that have focus and
a "quiet" about them. Some individuals have a "comfortable
knack" and a natural feel for navigating any environment unseen
— the training takes this "knack" to a whole new level.
An additional skill that is sought-out, honed, and refined is
something we call "Bubble Compartmentalization" — or the
ability to block everything else out for long periods of time,
except specific visual and observation skills — basically the
ability to sit still, observe, and calculate without losing your
mind.
There is nothing glorious or sexy about the job. It is very
hard on your body — and it’s not something you would want
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