A British sniper shares his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, describing a mission where he took out two insurgents with a rifle shot at 2475 meters, a record distance. He explains that sniping is not just about shooting, but also about gathering information and understanding the environment. He also talks about the emotional toll of his experiences, including the feeling of being in trouble after killing someone, and the difficulty of adjusting to life after leaving the military.
He shares a story about a particularly intense mission in Basra, where he and his team were vastly outnumbered and came under heavy fire. He called his wife during the mission, seeking comfort and human connection.
The sniper also opens up about his struggles with PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts after leaving the military. He credits his wife and dog with saving his life, and acknowledges the challenges of living with PTSD, including its impact on relationships and daily life. He expresses shame and frustration about his struggles, but also advocates for greater awareness and support for veterans with PTSD.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker was a sniper in the British Army.
2. He served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
3. He was part of a sniper team, with one person responsible for calculations and the other for shooting.
4. The speaker's rifle had a range of 1500 meters.
5. He was involved in a mission in the Maisan Desert in Iraq, where he shot a target from 675 yards away.
6. He spent four days in one position, using a cat nap schedule to stay awake.
7. He used a technique called "lobbing" to shoot at a target that was out of his rifle's range.
8. He set a world record for the longest confirmed sniper shot, at 2475 meters.
9. He was part of a team that provided overwatch for the Afghan Army in a village.
10. He was involved in a mission in Basra, Iraq, where he and his team were attacked by insurgents.
11. He called his wife during the mission, not telling her what was happening, but just wanting to hear her voice.
12. The speaker suffered from PTSD and depression after leaving the army.
13. He was medically discharged from the army due to his PTSD.
14. He considered taking his own life, but was stopped by his dog.
15. He credits his wife and dog with saving his life.
16. He is now an advocate for PTSD awareness.