Definition

A highly trained marksman who shoots from concealed positions at long range, making every shot count because their location depends on not missing. The military specialist who proves patience is indeed a virtue, often waiting hours or days for a single perfect shot. In gaming and sports, anyone who scores with annoying precision from unexpected angles.

Example Usage

The sniper team maintained their position for 12 hours before taking the shot that ended the standoff.

Source: Military terminology

Related Terms

Intermediate

mechanized

The process of equipping military units with tanks, armored vehicles, and other machinery that makes them faster and more lethal than foot soldiers. It transformed warfare from guys walking around to guys driving around with bigger guns. Also applies to making any process more automated and less dependent on human muscle power.

🎖 Military / Defense
Intermediate

fire mission

A formal request for artillery or mortar fire on a specific target, complete with coordinates and desired effect. It's ordering destruction by mail, military style.

🎖 Military / Defense
Beginner

good to go

Confirmation that everything is ready, acceptable, or functioning properly. The military's universal seal of approval, often given with far less verification than the phrase implies.

🎖 Military / Defense
Intermediate

pogue

Derogatory term for non-combat support personnel, especially those in comfortable rear-echelon positions. Pronounced 'pō-g,' because spelling it POG (Person Other than Grunt) is too straightforward.

🎖 Military / Defense
Advanced

commander's intent

A clear, concise statement describing what success looks like in an operation, providing subordinates flexibility in execution. Theoretically the guiding star of operations; practically, often vague enough to mean whatever you want.

🎖 Military / Defense
Intermediate

defect

In military and political contexts, to abandon your country or allegiance for the other side, usually bringing secrets or intel as a housewarming gift. In manufacturing, it's a flaw or malfunction that makes something not work as intended. Both involve something going wrong, but only one gets you a Wikipedia page and possibly a movie deal.

🎖 Military / Defense

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