Createdeemcee
05-12-2006, 01:52 PM
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Hathcock.jpg
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/silverstr.jpg (http://kaobra.com/whitefeather/page2.htm)
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/funeral.gif
South Viet Nam, 1966. A flash of movement caught the eye of a young Marine Military Policeman who was keeping watch for possible enemy action. As he observed, he could make out a figure crouched in the distance, working busily with something he couldn't quite see. The man was in civilian clothes... but... there was the rifle slung over his back - the telltale mark of a Viet Cong guerrilla. The enemy soldier continued about his task, oblivious to his danger as Sgt. Carlos Hathcock brought his M-14 to bear. The range appeared to be between 300 and 400 yards - child's play for Hathcock, who had won the 1000 yard Wimbledon Cup Match at Camp Perry only the year before. The rackgrade weapon he now held was a far cry from the finely-fitted National Match M-1 he had used in competition, but it was certainly capable of making this shot. With his M-14 rested comfortably, Hathcock verified his target - yes, definitely armed - and adjusted his position slightly. He let the front sight settle naturally, centered on the crouching soldier, who appeared to be placing a ****y trap.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos1.jpg
Hathcock felt his chest tighten and his heartbeat increase; although already Distinguished and a world-class competitive rifleman, he was still new to combat and the killing of men. As he silently eased the safety forward, his right hand settled firmly into place on the small of the stock. He was in his "bubble" now a zone of total concentration. He exhaled, and there was the front sight: on target, crisp, in razor-sharp focus. and centered in the rear sight aperture. The rifle was absolutely still as he took up the slack in the two-stage trigger, and then applied the final pressure. Such was the depth of his concentration that he was only vaguely aware of the rifles' report as it jolted against his shoulder. As the bolt cycled, the empty case skittered brightly across the ground to his right, and the M-14 settled back into Position, cocked and ready for a second shot. None was needed, however. The enemy guerrilla lay sprawled, no longer a threat. Sgt. Carlos Hathcock II had made his first kill. Officially, it was unconfirmed - one of fourteen unconfirmed kills he was to make before his assignment as a Marine sniper. However, that didn't concern him. It was simply a job that had to be done. By his actions, Carlos Hathcock had certainly saved the lives of several brother Marines scheduled to patrol the area being mined that day.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/p05.jpg
Hathcock went on to an illustrious career as the Marine Corps' top sniper in Viet Nam, with 93 confirmed kills and countless more unconfirmed. His exploits are legendary. He stalked enemy snipers, infiltrated an NVA general's headquarters, and pinned down a company of enemy soldiers for several days, to cite only a few. Known as "Long Tra'ng" for the trademark white feather he wore to taunt his enemies, he was so feared that when the standard bounty on U.S. snipers was eight dollars, his head was worth several thousand. Severely burned in combat during his second tour in Viet Nam, he recovered and returned to active duty. However, due to his extensive burns and to the insidious onset of multiple sclerosis, he was unable to resume rifle competition at his former level. http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos2.jpg
A late-model pickup, scrupulously clean, bore the custom license plate, "SNIPER".
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/ch.jpg
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos3.jpg
What was Carlos' opinion of the standard M-14 rifle in combat? "It was very reliable... very, VERY reliable. When them M-16's first came in country, man, they were killin' a lot of people - the people shootin' 'em! When I went back the second time, I would NOT let my people carry the M-16 'cause I wanted all my people to come back. And, I never lost a person over there." He laughed goodnaturedly as he went on, "Never lost nobody but me, and that wasn't my fault!" What does Carlos think of the M-16 now, with all the improvements that have been made to it since Viet Nam? "Well, I've never had much experience with M-16's. My son [SSG Carlos N. Hathcock III, USMC] seems to like it, 'cause that's what he's armed with. He shoots it in matches, and he seems to like it."
Carlos mentioned that he had kept his rifle zeroed at 700 yards while in Viet Nam. I was especially curious as to whether he might have worked out a trajectory table for his scope in clicks per 1 00 yards, in order to change his elevation zero as needed. "No, I mainly held off, and I taught my people in my platoon to hold off, too." How much wind did he encounter in Viet Nam? "it was considerable. I was shooting across a river, one time, and the wind just whistled down the river. I missed two bad guys in one day... I didn't hold enough, and hit in front of both of 'em. Then, other times, I held just right..." How about in the early mornings and late evenings? "Oh, yeah, it was calmer then, except in the monsoon season, when it was windy all the time. It was rainy... Jeez, what a time that was." Could he operate effectively during the monsoon season? "No, that's when you turned into an observer, actually."
Moving to more modern equipment, Carlos mentioned that he had helped test several scopes as part of the development of the M-4OAl USMC sniper rifle following the Viet Nam War. The winner was a new design by Unerfl. This fixed 1 OX was so tough that the final test involved using the scope to pound a tent stake into frozen ground!! Carlos' eyes lit up as he recalled the testing... not only did the scope continue to function, it wasn't even dented!! And what of sniper rifles for the police counter-sniper? "In all the schools I've given across this country, I've seen a lot of hodgepodge mess, from people who didn't know what to use, so they used all kinds of stuff," he snorted. "Light barrels... heck, after three shots, those bullets will go everywhere that you DO NOT want them to go! You will never, ever qualify on MY course with a light-barreled rifle. We recommend only the best equipment for the job. That's a Remington 700 heavy barrel, in caliber .308. We also recommend the Leupold fixed 1OX Ultra scope, and the Harris bipod - the swiveling type. Of course, they're the most expensive, but... they're good ones." Carlos still prefers fixedpower scopes over variables, due to their greater simplicity. I was curious about his preference for scope reticles. He holds that the current 3/4 mil dot reticle is now as advanced as is possible, with little room for improvement as a range-estimating aid.
When we moved to the subject of ammunition, Hathcock had definite views here, as well. "We recommend Federal Match .308, with the 168 grain hollowpoint Sierra. We've tested all the brands the department can buy, and Federal Match is by FAR the best. It's the most accurate, and the quality control is magnificent. I've been up to the company to see how they make it - there are so many quality control checks on each and every round that goes through there... Whew!!" Carlos' minimum accuracy standard for sniper rifles intrigued me. What does a master sniper consider the minimum necessary to get the job done? In his view, a military or police sniper rifle must be capable, at a minimum, of keeping 3-shot groups inside one minute of angle at 100 yards. On the subject of stocks, Carlos considers an adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable buttplate to be highly desirable options. Overall, however, his equipment preferences stress simplicity and reliability above all else. And, he should know. His preferences are based on extensive field experience, not theory. As he says, "I believe in the K.I.S.S. program: Keep It Simple, Stupid! I love that. I don't like nothin' complicated. I'm not a very learned man, but I know this job!"
Carlos Hathcock on Mental Discipline
Not surprisingly, Carlos places heavy emphasis on a shooter's being both physically fit and highly disciplined, mentally. His own high degree of mental discipline is evident in the feats described in Marine Sniper, and I talked with at length throughout the interviews to get a better understanding how this trait was cultivated. Carlos entered the service well prepared for a demanding career, as he had assumed responsibility for providing for his family at an early age. Marine Corps boot camp helped as well, and his training as a competitive shooter on the USMC rifle teams contributed greatly to both the technical knowledge and mental discipline needed to be an effective combat sniper. Hathcock's technical skills were well-honed by the time he went overseas; he reports that he practiced very little on the range once in Viet Nam, as he was almost constantly in the field, and "there were lots of moving targets around" (Viet Cong and NVA).
We moved to the subject of adjusting to combat. Carlos mentioned that, as he engaged more and more enemy soldiers, he found the shooting easier and easier to do. He was highly motivated to push the fledgling sniper program by showing the line units and commanders what a sniper could achieve. This motivation, together with the desire to carry out his mission of destroying and harassing the enemy, gradually accelerated into a driving passion which drew him irresistibly to the field. He would barely return from one mission before embarking upon another, and finally, his commanding officer had to place him under arrest, confining him to his base due to severe fatigue and increasing deterioration of his health. Carlos considers advanced marksmanship training, such as that practiced in training military shooting teams for competition, an invaluable aid in developing the mental discipline and concentration required of the military or police sniper.
What other qualities does Hathcock look for in a potential sniper candidate? Is there any one particular personality style that he prefers? "Well not really. We do
like country boys, but some people do not go hunting any more. There are fewer places to hunt, these days. A lot of those city folks are good, too - they have to be. To be on a SWAT team, you HAVE to have a proper mentality - and be disciplined, both mentally and physically."
Willingness to challenge oneself and a positive attitude are also important. Carlos recalled, "My Daddy told me a long time ago, when I was a little feller, he said, 'Son, there is no such word as 'can't'. Some things are a little harder to accomplish than others, but the word 'can't' does not stay in my vocabulary. Don't let it stay in yours.' And, since then, I've used the same thing. There's no such word as 'can't' - and my guys quit using it too. They'd say, 'but, Gunny, I can't do that,' and I'd say 'WHAT?? What was that four-letter word?' If they used it again, they'd be doing push-ups all day. There is NOTHING you cannot do." How about practice? "You've always gotta be training, to keep your skills sharp. We recommend police snipers train once a week. You've got to be sharp to make that one shot. One shot, that's all you're there for. It only takes one shot to eliminate a situation, and you've got to be the best at it."
As our interview drew to a close, I asked Carlos, "If you could you could tell the competitive shooters anything that you think would be of value to them, what would it be?" His answer was succinct: "Stay off drugs and keep training. Practice, practice, practice. If you want to be any good at all, you've got to practice. I never did want to be no 'used-to-was'! You being a shooter yourself, you know that shooting is a deteriorating skill... if you don't stay in practice, you'll lose it!" And, would Carlos like to convey to military and police snipers today? "Maintain your discipline - physical and mental. That will carry you over; you've got to have discipline in everything you do out there. In the police aspect, especially, if you don't have discipline, you're in left field - you'll get sued. That's the big thing today, is to sue somebody. The shot that you make has to be the correct shot. That's where discipline comes in, and careful, extensive observation. You don't want to risk shooting the hostage, thinking he's the bad guy."
Some Thoughts on Carlos Hathcock Today
These days, Carlos Hathcock can no longer hunt or shoot. It is obviously a matter of sincere regret to him that he can no longer instruct police marksmen, due to his advancing illness. His enduring love of teaching is manifest. When talking about marksmanship principles or the need for discipline, the fire and drive that led him to his remarkable achievements appears, and the Hathcock of old emerges. It is typical of the man. Whatever he does, he does one hundred percent. Today, Carlos has few, if any, other interests, and his illness has stolen his chief pleasures in life. Despite his losses - or, perhaps in small part, because of them - the shooting fraternity continues to stand by him, as I saw during my visits. Carlos and his wife, Jo, receive frequent calls from shooters, soldiers and veterans, wishing them well, and Carlos reports that this helps him. The Hathcocks have made many friends during their travels. Throughout their house, one notices plaques and awards which attest to the respect and appreciation Carlos has earned through his selfless contributions to law enforcement, the military, and the shooting community at large.
It is vital not to overlook the sacrifices Carlos Hathcock made in the service of his country. Of course, he faced danger, physical hardships and separation from his family as a professional soldier. These are the risks that soldiers take, and Carlos accepted them as part of his chosen career. As a shooter, however, he gave all. In 1965, he was nearing the peak of his shooting ability, having won the Wimbledon Cup and having only narrowly missed taking the National Service Rifle Championship. He did this as a relatively new competitor! There can be little doubt that he had the skill, the drive, the determination and the potential to be a national champion many times over. Horribly burned during his second tour of duty in Viet Nam, Carlos' physical limitations would never permit him to achieve his full potential as a competitor, and he misses shooting to this very day. Now, the camaraderie of the shooting fraternity constitutes one of his few remaining pleasures.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos4.jpg
RIP
http://www.odcmp.com/images/web_images/carlos65.gif
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/silverstr.jpg (http://kaobra.com/whitefeather/page2.htm)
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/funeral.gif
South Viet Nam, 1966. A flash of movement caught the eye of a young Marine Military Policeman who was keeping watch for possible enemy action. As he observed, he could make out a figure crouched in the distance, working busily with something he couldn't quite see. The man was in civilian clothes... but... there was the rifle slung over his back - the telltale mark of a Viet Cong guerrilla. The enemy soldier continued about his task, oblivious to his danger as Sgt. Carlos Hathcock brought his M-14 to bear. The range appeared to be between 300 and 400 yards - child's play for Hathcock, who had won the 1000 yard Wimbledon Cup Match at Camp Perry only the year before. The rackgrade weapon he now held was a far cry from the finely-fitted National Match M-1 he had used in competition, but it was certainly capable of making this shot. With his M-14 rested comfortably, Hathcock verified his target - yes, definitely armed - and adjusted his position slightly. He let the front sight settle naturally, centered on the crouching soldier, who appeared to be placing a ****y trap.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos1.jpg
Hathcock felt his chest tighten and his heartbeat increase; although already Distinguished and a world-class competitive rifleman, he was still new to combat and the killing of men. As he silently eased the safety forward, his right hand settled firmly into place on the small of the stock. He was in his "bubble" now a zone of total concentration. He exhaled, and there was the front sight: on target, crisp, in razor-sharp focus. and centered in the rear sight aperture. The rifle was absolutely still as he took up the slack in the two-stage trigger, and then applied the final pressure. Such was the depth of his concentration that he was only vaguely aware of the rifles' report as it jolted against his shoulder. As the bolt cycled, the empty case skittered brightly across the ground to his right, and the M-14 settled back into Position, cocked and ready for a second shot. None was needed, however. The enemy guerrilla lay sprawled, no longer a threat. Sgt. Carlos Hathcock II had made his first kill. Officially, it was unconfirmed - one of fourteen unconfirmed kills he was to make before his assignment as a Marine sniper. However, that didn't concern him. It was simply a job that had to be done. By his actions, Carlos Hathcock had certainly saved the lives of several brother Marines scheduled to patrol the area being mined that day.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/p05.jpg
Hathcock went on to an illustrious career as the Marine Corps' top sniper in Viet Nam, with 93 confirmed kills and countless more unconfirmed. His exploits are legendary. He stalked enemy snipers, infiltrated an NVA general's headquarters, and pinned down a company of enemy soldiers for several days, to cite only a few. Known as "Long Tra'ng" for the trademark white feather he wore to taunt his enemies, he was so feared that when the standard bounty on U.S. snipers was eight dollars, his head was worth several thousand. Severely burned in combat during his second tour in Viet Nam, he recovered and returned to active duty. However, due to his extensive burns and to the insidious onset of multiple sclerosis, he was unable to resume rifle competition at his former level. http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos2.jpg
A late-model pickup, scrupulously clean, bore the custom license plate, "SNIPER".
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/ch.jpg
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos3.jpg
What was Carlos' opinion of the standard M-14 rifle in combat? "It was very reliable... very, VERY reliable. When them M-16's first came in country, man, they were killin' a lot of people - the people shootin' 'em! When I went back the second time, I would NOT let my people carry the M-16 'cause I wanted all my people to come back. And, I never lost a person over there." He laughed goodnaturedly as he went on, "Never lost nobody but me, and that wasn't my fault!" What does Carlos think of the M-16 now, with all the improvements that have been made to it since Viet Nam? "Well, I've never had much experience with M-16's. My son [SSG Carlos N. Hathcock III, USMC] seems to like it, 'cause that's what he's armed with. He shoots it in matches, and he seems to like it."
Carlos mentioned that he had kept his rifle zeroed at 700 yards while in Viet Nam. I was especially curious as to whether he might have worked out a trajectory table for his scope in clicks per 1 00 yards, in order to change his elevation zero as needed. "No, I mainly held off, and I taught my people in my platoon to hold off, too." How much wind did he encounter in Viet Nam? "it was considerable. I was shooting across a river, one time, and the wind just whistled down the river. I missed two bad guys in one day... I didn't hold enough, and hit in front of both of 'em. Then, other times, I held just right..." How about in the early mornings and late evenings? "Oh, yeah, it was calmer then, except in the monsoon season, when it was windy all the time. It was rainy... Jeez, what a time that was." Could he operate effectively during the monsoon season? "No, that's when you turned into an observer, actually."
Moving to more modern equipment, Carlos mentioned that he had helped test several scopes as part of the development of the M-4OAl USMC sniper rifle following the Viet Nam War. The winner was a new design by Unerfl. This fixed 1 OX was so tough that the final test involved using the scope to pound a tent stake into frozen ground!! Carlos' eyes lit up as he recalled the testing... not only did the scope continue to function, it wasn't even dented!! And what of sniper rifles for the police counter-sniper? "In all the schools I've given across this country, I've seen a lot of hodgepodge mess, from people who didn't know what to use, so they used all kinds of stuff," he snorted. "Light barrels... heck, after three shots, those bullets will go everywhere that you DO NOT want them to go! You will never, ever qualify on MY course with a light-barreled rifle. We recommend only the best equipment for the job. That's a Remington 700 heavy barrel, in caliber .308. We also recommend the Leupold fixed 1OX Ultra scope, and the Harris bipod - the swiveling type. Of course, they're the most expensive, but... they're good ones." Carlos still prefers fixedpower scopes over variables, due to their greater simplicity. I was curious about his preference for scope reticles. He holds that the current 3/4 mil dot reticle is now as advanced as is possible, with little room for improvement as a range-estimating aid.
When we moved to the subject of ammunition, Hathcock had definite views here, as well. "We recommend Federal Match .308, with the 168 grain hollowpoint Sierra. We've tested all the brands the department can buy, and Federal Match is by FAR the best. It's the most accurate, and the quality control is magnificent. I've been up to the company to see how they make it - there are so many quality control checks on each and every round that goes through there... Whew!!" Carlos' minimum accuracy standard for sniper rifles intrigued me. What does a master sniper consider the minimum necessary to get the job done? In his view, a military or police sniper rifle must be capable, at a minimum, of keeping 3-shot groups inside one minute of angle at 100 yards. On the subject of stocks, Carlos considers an adjustable cheekpiece and adjustable buttplate to be highly desirable options. Overall, however, his equipment preferences stress simplicity and reliability above all else. And, he should know. His preferences are based on extensive field experience, not theory. As he says, "I believe in the K.I.S.S. program: Keep It Simple, Stupid! I love that. I don't like nothin' complicated. I'm not a very learned man, but I know this job!"
Carlos Hathcock on Mental Discipline
Not surprisingly, Carlos places heavy emphasis on a shooter's being both physically fit and highly disciplined, mentally. His own high degree of mental discipline is evident in the feats described in Marine Sniper, and I talked with at length throughout the interviews to get a better understanding how this trait was cultivated. Carlos entered the service well prepared for a demanding career, as he had assumed responsibility for providing for his family at an early age. Marine Corps boot camp helped as well, and his training as a competitive shooter on the USMC rifle teams contributed greatly to both the technical knowledge and mental discipline needed to be an effective combat sniper. Hathcock's technical skills were well-honed by the time he went overseas; he reports that he practiced very little on the range once in Viet Nam, as he was almost constantly in the field, and "there were lots of moving targets around" (Viet Cong and NVA).
We moved to the subject of adjusting to combat. Carlos mentioned that, as he engaged more and more enemy soldiers, he found the shooting easier and easier to do. He was highly motivated to push the fledgling sniper program by showing the line units and commanders what a sniper could achieve. This motivation, together with the desire to carry out his mission of destroying and harassing the enemy, gradually accelerated into a driving passion which drew him irresistibly to the field. He would barely return from one mission before embarking upon another, and finally, his commanding officer had to place him under arrest, confining him to his base due to severe fatigue and increasing deterioration of his health. Carlos considers advanced marksmanship training, such as that practiced in training military shooting teams for competition, an invaluable aid in developing the mental discipline and concentration required of the military or police sniper.
What other qualities does Hathcock look for in a potential sniper candidate? Is there any one particular personality style that he prefers? "Well not really. We do
like country boys, but some people do not go hunting any more. There are fewer places to hunt, these days. A lot of those city folks are good, too - they have to be. To be on a SWAT team, you HAVE to have a proper mentality - and be disciplined, both mentally and physically."
Willingness to challenge oneself and a positive attitude are also important. Carlos recalled, "My Daddy told me a long time ago, when I was a little feller, he said, 'Son, there is no such word as 'can't'. Some things are a little harder to accomplish than others, but the word 'can't' does not stay in my vocabulary. Don't let it stay in yours.' And, since then, I've used the same thing. There's no such word as 'can't' - and my guys quit using it too. They'd say, 'but, Gunny, I can't do that,' and I'd say 'WHAT?? What was that four-letter word?' If they used it again, they'd be doing push-ups all day. There is NOTHING you cannot do." How about practice? "You've always gotta be training, to keep your skills sharp. We recommend police snipers train once a week. You've got to be sharp to make that one shot. One shot, that's all you're there for. It only takes one shot to eliminate a situation, and you've got to be the best at it."
As our interview drew to a close, I asked Carlos, "If you could you could tell the competitive shooters anything that you think would be of value to them, what would it be?" His answer was succinct: "Stay off drugs and keep training. Practice, practice, practice. If you want to be any good at all, you've got to practice. I never did want to be no 'used-to-was'! You being a shooter yourself, you know that shooting is a deteriorating skill... if you don't stay in practice, you'll lose it!" And, would Carlos like to convey to military and police snipers today? "Maintain your discipline - physical and mental. That will carry you over; you've got to have discipline in everything you do out there. In the police aspect, especially, if you don't have discipline, you're in left field - you'll get sued. That's the big thing today, is to sue somebody. The shot that you make has to be the correct shot. That's where discipline comes in, and careful, extensive observation. You don't want to risk shooting the hostage, thinking he's the bad guy."
Some Thoughts on Carlos Hathcock Today
These days, Carlos Hathcock can no longer hunt or shoot. It is obviously a matter of sincere regret to him that he can no longer instruct police marksmen, due to his advancing illness. His enduring love of teaching is manifest. When talking about marksmanship principles or the need for discipline, the fire and drive that led him to his remarkable achievements appears, and the Hathcock of old emerges. It is typical of the man. Whatever he does, he does one hundred percent. Today, Carlos has few, if any, other interests, and his illness has stolen his chief pleasures in life. Despite his losses - or, perhaps in small part, because of them - the shooting fraternity continues to stand by him, as I saw during my visits. Carlos and his wife, Jo, receive frequent calls from shooters, soldiers and veterans, wishing them well, and Carlos reports that this helps him. The Hathcocks have made many friends during their travels. Throughout their house, one notices plaques and awards which attest to the respect and appreciation Carlos has earned through his selfless contributions to law enforcement, the military, and the shooting community at large.
It is vital not to overlook the sacrifices Carlos Hathcock made in the service of his country. Of course, he faced danger, physical hardships and separation from his family as a professional soldier. These are the risks that soldiers take, and Carlos accepted them as part of his chosen career. As a shooter, however, he gave all. In 1965, he was nearing the peak of his shooting ability, having won the Wimbledon Cup and having only narrowly missed taking the National Service Rifle Championship. He did this as a relatively new competitor! There can be little doubt that he had the skill, the drive, the determination and the potential to be a national champion many times over. Horribly burned during his second tour of duty in Viet Nam, Carlos' physical limitations would never permit him to achieve his full potential as a competitor, and he misses shooting to this very day. Now, the camaraderie of the shooting fraternity constitutes one of his few remaining pleasures.
http://www.marinescoutsniper.com/images/hathcock/Carlos4.jpg
RIP
http://www.odcmp.com/images/web_images/carlos65.gif