View source for Marksman

{{Short description|Person who is skilled in shooting}}
{{Other uses}}
[[File:Marksman in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|An American marksman looks for enemy activity along the hilltops near [[Dur Baba District]], Afghanistan (2006)]]
[[File:CIMIC Joint Training, GER and ITA Army, Capo Teulada, Trident Juncture 15 (22678987186).jpg|thumb|A soldier with a [[Heckler & Koch HK417|G28]] of the [[German Army]]]]
A '''marksman''' is a person who is skilled in precision [[shooting]].<ref name="OED">{{cite web |title=marksman |url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/114204?redirectedFrom=marksman#eid |website=Oxford English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=28 March 2023 |language=English |quote=a. A person skilled or practised in shooting. }}</ref><ref name="Dictionary">{{cite web |title=Marksman |publisher=Dictionary.com |work=Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/marksman |access-date= June 8, 2008 |quote=a person who is skilled in shooting at a mark; a person who shoots well. }}</ref> In modern military usage this typically refers to the use of projectile weapons such as an [[accurize]]d [[telescopic sight|scope]]d [[long gun]] such as [[designated marksman rifle]] (or a [[sniper rifle]]) to shoot at [[high-value targets]] at [[long range shooting|longer-than-usual ranges]].

The proficiency in precision shooting is known as a shooter's '''marksmanship''', which can be used to describe both [[gun]]nery and [[archery]].

==Description==
In common usage, "[[sharpshooter]]" and "marksman" are synonymous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marksman|title=MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY: "Marksman"|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/marksman|title=Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus: "Marksman"|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> Within the specialized fields of [[shooting sports]] and military usage, however, sharpshooter and marksman each refer to different levels of skill. Specifically, in the US Army, "marksman" is a rating below "sharpshooter" and "expert".<ref name="Dictionary"/>  Four levels of skill are generally recognized today in American military and civilian shooting circles: unqualified, marksman, sharpshooter, and expert. [[Marksmanship Badges (United States)|Marksmanship badges]] for the three qualified levels are commonly awarded to both civilian and military shooters who attain proficiency in shooting higher than "unqualified".

The main difference between [[designated marksman|military marksmen]] and [[sniper]]s is that marksmen are usually considered an organic part of a [[fireteam]] of soldiers and are never expected to operate independently away from the main force, whereas snipers are [[special ops]] troops who usually work alone or in very small teams with independent mission objectives. Snipers are also often tasked with responsibilities other than delivering long-range fire{{snd}}specifically, conducting reconnaissance, [[battle damage assessment]] and [[artillery observer|spotting]] for coordinates/corrections for [[artillery]] fire or [[air strike]]s.  Within the military, marksmen are sometimes attached to an [[infantry]] [[fireteam]] or [[squad]] (where they are known as [[designated marksmen]]) where they support the squad by providing accurate long-range shots at valuable targets as needed, thus extending the effective tactical reach of the fireteam or squad.

[[File:USMC-120506-M-SR181-006.jpg|thumb|upright|225px|Marksmen competing in Australia]]

== Middle Ages ==
In the [[Middle Ages]], in the first use of the term 'marksman' was given to the royal [[archery|archers]], or [[archery|bowmen]], of a [[palace]] guard, which was an elite group of troops chosen to guard a royal palace or the royalty. This was around the 10th century, although records of some 9th century English Kings show the listings of groups of marksmen specifically chosen for their militaries. {{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

==Marksmen in different countries==

===Australia===
In the [[Australian Army]], marksmanship is currently recognized by the award of one of three skill-at-arms badges. The 'Skill at Arms Badge' consists of a representation of crossed [[Lee–Enfield SMLE Mk III rifle|.303 Short Magazine Lee–Enfield (SMLE)]] rifles and is awarded for achieving a prescribed standard of shooting skill. This must be repeated within twelve months for the badge to be awarded in perpetuity to the recipient. The 'Sniper's Badge' is similar in design but incorporates the letter 'S' into the design and is awarded to soldiers who qualify on the Army Sniper's Course. The 'Army Top 20 Badge' consists of crossed .303 SMLE rifles upon a laurel wreath and is awarded to the final 20 competitors in the annual Champion Shot for the Army. The winner of this competition is also awarded the [[Champion Shots Medal (Australia)|Champion Shots Medal]]. Only one badge may be worn.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special & Qualification Badges of the ADF 2002 Page 2|url=http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/aussie-current2.htm|work=Digger History|access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Army Standing Orders for Dress|year=1996|publisher=Australian Army|chapter=Chapter 26 Military Skills Badges}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
In the [[British Armed Forces]], "marksman" is traditionally the highest shooting rating and holders may wear a crossed rifles badge on the lower sleeve.{{citation needed|date=June 2008}}
[[File:A British soldier aims his SA80 rifle on a shooting range at Basra, Iraq. MOD 45148015.jpg|thumb|A British soldier aims on a shooting range in Iraq, 29 July 2006.]]

:From Army Operational Shooting Policy for the Annual Personal Weapons Test (APWT) Combat Infantryman (CI):Marksman (Combat Infantryman). To qualify for Marksman all practices are to be completed and the firer must achieve a score of 55 (85%) or more of the total Highest Possible Score (65) for the entire shoot. Soldiers achieving a non-marksman passing score are ''not'' permitted to re-shoot practices in order to qualify for Marksman. Infantry soldiers who qualify as Marksmen during the [[Infantry Training Centre (British Army)#Combat Infantryman's Course|Combat Infantryman's Course (CIC)]] are entitled to retain the award on joining their units. Soldiers who qualify as Marksmen are entitled to wear the Marksman badge for one year before they must requalify. (Page 3 - 70, Amdt 1/Feb/07)

===United States===
{{Refimprove section|date=November 2021}}
[[File:110217-G-6349A-480 MSRT Precision Marksmen Observer Team.jpg|thumb|Coast Guard [[Deployable Specialized Forces]] MSRT Precision Marksmen Observer Team]]

In the [[United States Army]]<ref>[https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/pamphlets/TP600-4.pdf US Army pamphlets]</ref> and [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the marksmanship of the soldiers is ranked based on their skill: marksman-sharpshooter-expert.{{cn|date=November 2021}} Holders of each level wear [[Weapons Qualification Badge|qualification badges]] below their ribbons with bars for the weapons they qualify in. In the [[United States Navy]] and the [[United States Coast Guard]], full-sized [[medals]] are only issued at the expert level.  Both services award separate medals for [[pistol]] and [[rifle]] proficiency. The [[United States Air Force]] gives just a ribbon for qualifying at the expert level, although a bronze star can be earned if the wearer qualifies on both of these types of small arms.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program |url=http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI36-2803.pdf |year=2001 |page=31 |author=HQ AFPC/DPPPRA  |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216113644/http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI36-2803.pdf |archive-date=2013-02-16 }}</ref>

Within the United States military, a marksman in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] is referred to as "Squad Designated Marksman" (SDM), and a marksman in the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] is called a "[[Designated Marksman]]" (DM).{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}} The United States Army particularly emphasizes the [[fireteam|fireteam concept]]: according to US Army Field Manual 3-21.8<ref>[https://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/FM%207-8%20W%20CH%201.pdf Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, FM 7-8]</ref> (Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, formerly FM 7-8) a typical United States Army fireteam consists of four soldiers. In the context of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)'s Infantry Rifle Companies,<ref>{{cite web|first=John |last=Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-21-11/c01.htm#sectionii1_7 |title=FM3-21.11 Chapter 1 |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=2013-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=A. Goodman |url=http://www.best-make-money-online.com/affiliate-cash-snipers.html |title=Sharpshooters: The Truth about A.C. Snipers |publisher=A. Goodman |access-date=2015-06-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203025447/http://www.best-make-money-online.com/affiliate-cash-snipers.html |archive-date=2015-02-03 }}</ref> one man from each fireteam in a rifle squad is either the [[Squad Anti-armor Specialist]] ([[RMAT]]), armed with the [[FGM-148 Javelin]], or the [[Squad Designated Marksman]] (DM), who carries the M4 carbine and [[M14 rifle]]. In both cases this specialized function replaces the basic rifleman position in the fireteam.

===Canada===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
As with other Commonwealth armies, the Marksman in the Canadian Army is a shooting achievement recognized by a badge bearing [[Monarchy of Canada|the monarch's]] crown and crossed .303 Lee–Enfield No. 4, Mk I rifles. On operations within the Canadian Infantry Battalion, rifle company designated marksman can be assigned. This is not to be confused with Canadian sniper designation; these attain a high level of marksmanship and fieldcraft through grueling selected courses. Candidates must achieve ''recce''{{definition needed|date=November 2021}} qualification and marksman designation before being considered for the basic sniper course.

===India===
The [[Indian Army]] uses a locally manufactured licensed variant of the [[SVD Dragunov]] in the Designated Marksman role as part of each infantry [[platoon]]. The Dragunov is used in conjunction with the INSAS family of weapons to give flexibility and striking power at short to mid range firefights, to Indian Army infantry units engaged with opposing forces.

The Army Marksmanship Unit trains members for sports shooting as well as military shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTemp5P9C_InfRifleAss.aspx?MnId=CkyPivwRbgl1JchL+EpMOg==&ParentID=JyHNpbL/nYHx/unWDVeF3Q==|title=The Army Marksmanship Unit}}</ref>

==Civilian marksman==

===United States===
[[File:Sharpshooter from confederate state.jpg|thumb|Sharpshooter from The Confederate States]]
The United States has a long tradition of marksmanship going back to its beginnings including the role of common men in its Revolutionary War.  There are several organizations which promote civilian marksmanship including the [[Civilian Marksmanship Program]] which began just after the turn of the 20th century as a government chartered program and the Division of Civilian Marksmanship.  One of the newest and currently the fastest growing marksmanship programs in North America is [[Project Appleseed]] which was started by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association in 2006.  Shooters who score 210 out of 250 or better on the "Quick and Dirty" Appleseed AQT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.myknowledgeguy.com/appleseed_rifleman_patch/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226114312/https://www.myknowledgeguy.com/appleseed_rifleman_patch/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 26, 2019|title=Earning your Appleseed Rifleman Patch|date=2018-05-11|website=My Knowledge Guy|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> earn the [[Rifleman]] designation and are issued a Rifleman patch.<ref name=BHM>{{cite news |title=The Appleseed Project |author=Ayoob, Massad|magazine=Backwoods Home Magazine |issue=123 |date=May–June 2010 |url=http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob123.html}}</ref> Similar to the U.S. military marksmanship ratings of Unqualified, Marksman, Sharpshooter, and Expert (see [[Marksmanship Badge (United States)]]), the Appleseed ratings have the same levels, with the exception that instead of "Expert", the equivalent performance level is called "Rifleman".<ref name=BHM/>

The [[National Rifle Association of America]] was founded in 1871 to improve the marksmanship of American riflemen. Despite it being known contemporarily as a political advocacy organization for gun rights, the NRA continues to host marksmanship competitions and gun sports in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mqp.nra.org/|title=NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program|website=mqp.nra.org|language=en|access-date=2019-02-26}}</ref> A different organization, [[USA Shooting]], organizes American shooting sports at the Olympic level.

==Longest recorded competition rifle shot==

The longest recorded shot in a shooting contest was 3.781 kilometres (2.35 miles), on March 27, 2021 in [[Barnard, Kansas]] by an American competitive shooter. The bullet flew for 9.4 seconds and hit the upper-left corner of a six-foot square (36 square feet, about 2 square meters) steel target. The rifle used was a GA Precision Custom, with a Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56 scope, on a bipod. Ammunition was Hornady .338-caliber 300-grain A-Tip.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/longest-rifle-shot-ever-recorded-in-competition-shooting/|title=At 2.35 Miles, This Is The Longest Rifle Shot Ever Recorded In Competition|publisher=outdoorlife.com|date=29 March 2021|access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
{{col-begin|width=auto}}{{col-2}}
* [[Exhibition shooting]]
* [[Reconnaissance]]
* [[United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper]]
* [[Skirmisher]]

;Related military operations
* [[Jäger (military)]]
* [[Operation Foxley]] - plan to kill [[Adolf Hitler]] using a sniper
* [[Sniper Alley]]
* [[South Armagh Sniper (1990–1997)]]
* [[Snipers of the Soviet Union]]
* [[Special forces]]
{{col-2}}
;Related military weapons
* [[Anti-materiel rifle]]
* [[Anti-tank rifle]]
* [[Designated marksman rifle]]
* [[SVD (rifle)|Dragunov Sniper Rifle]]
* [[M21 Sniper Weapon System|M21]], the scoped and [[accurizing|accurized]] version of the [[M14 rifle|M14]].
* [[Sniper rifle]]
* [[SR-25]], designed by [[Knight's Armament Company]]
* [[United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle]]
* [[Squad Designated Marksman Rifle]]
* [[Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle]]
* [[Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle]]
{{col-end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Combat occupations]]
[[Category:Combat occupations of the late modern period]]
[[Category:Marksmanship]]
[[Category:Shooting]]
[[Category:Sniper warfare]]

[[de:Scharfschütze]]