Editing Designated marksman (section)

== Worldwide use ==
===Australian Army===
[[File:Australian SOTG wait for extraction 2011.jpg|thumb|right|SR-25 in Australian service.]]

A typical Australian Army [[Section (military unit)#Australian Army|fireteam]] of four soldiers will include a scout employing an [[F88 Austeyr|F88S]] Austeyr (5.56 NATO) fitted with an enhanced optic device, usually either an [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG]] or [[C79 optical sight|ELCAN C79]]. Additionally, 7.62&nbsp;mm marksman rifles ([[SR-25]]s) are employed by the maneuver support teams in the platoon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiandefence.com.au/archive/land-force-army-s-broad-fire-capabilities-key-to-mission-success-adm-feb-2010|title=Australia Defense Force news – February 2010|website=Australiandefence.com.au|access-date=31 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706101903/http://www.australiandefence.com.au/archive/land-force-army-s-broad-fire-capabilities-key-to-mission-success-adm-feb-2010|archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref> However, HK417 rifles have been procured by the Army as a substitute for the F88S during operations in Afghanistan and possibly thereafter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.cn.view&CNUUID=E1B9BB57-E979-C225-B2FB849A9AE9904A|title=AusTender: Contract Notice View - CN352591|website=Tenders.gov.au|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> The [[SASR]] also uses the [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|Mk 14 EBR]] amongst its four-man infantry sections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx70/M1AZIP/189002_198972143459480_108939879129374_610283_4533482_n-1.jpg?a=24&imgrefurl=http://sageebr.com/2011/03/24/mk14-mod-0-australian-sas-soldier-receives-vc.aspx&usg=__a7OCFsCb9jxhYQ0fTGuAsF77YLc=&h=320&w=213&sz=47&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=qwfAy6UvaNKnMM:&tbnh=161&tbnw=99&ei=_iawTa-gA4m8uwPWs_D-Bg&prev=/search?q=SASR+Mk14+EBR&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1150&bih=457&tbm=isch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=617&page=1&ndsp=9&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=61&ty=67|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226222854/http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://i742.photobucket.com/albums/xx70/M1AZIP/189002_198972143459480_108939879129374_610283_4533482_n-1.jpg?a=24&imgrefurl=http://sageebr.com/2011/03/24/mk14-mod-0-australian-sas-soldier-receives-vc.aspx&usg=__a7OCFsCb9jxhYQ0fTGuAsF77YLc=&h=320&w=213&sz=47&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=qwfAy6UvaNKnMM:&tbnh=161&tbnw=99&ei=_iawTa-gA4m8uwPWs_D-Bg&prev=/search?q=SASR+Mk14+EBR&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1150&bih=457&tbm=isch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=617&page=1&ndsp=9&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&tx=61&ty=67|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2021|title=Google Image Result|website=Google.com.au|access-date=31 July 2017}} </ref>

=== British Army ===
Recently, the [[SA80#L86 LSW|L86A2 Light Support Weapon]] was used in the designated marksman role due to its longer barrel compared to the standard [[L85A2]] service rifle, which gives an increased range of up to 1000 m (1094 yd) while also capable of giving accurate automatic fire; the automatic fire role is now usually delivered by the [[FN Minimi|Minimi]]. The [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]], [[Royal Marines]] and [[United Kingdom Special Forces]] also use the HK417 rifle in the designated marksman role.

On 28 December 2009, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the adoption of the [[Lewis Machine and Tool Company#L129A1|L129A1]] Sharpshooter rifle made by [[Lewis Machine and Tool Company]] of the US for use as a semi-automatic DM rifle, firing the [[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62×51mm NATO round]], providing accurate fire of up to 1000m as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) in Afghanistan.<ref name="LM7">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw091229_1_n.shtml|title=UK selects 7.62 mm Sharpshooter weapon for Afghan ops|website=Janes.com|date=2009-12-28|access-date=2009-01-25}}</ref>

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

=== Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ===
[[File:SR-25 pic01.jpg|thumb|[[SR-25]] rifle]]
[[File:US Navy 090911-N-4267W-095 GM1 Sean Sammons assigned with Expeditionary Training Command (ETC) observes a member of the Guatemalan Navy Special Forces.jpg|thumb|right|The [[IMI Tavor TAR-21|IMI Tavor STAR-21]] designated marksman variant (Guatemalan Navy special forces).]]
The [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF) implemented significant changes to sharpshooting doctrine in the 1990s. Doctrine, training program, and courseware were completely rewritten and snipers were issued the bolt-action [[M24 Sniper Weapon System|M24 SWS]] instead of the M14 rifle. A major change was the introduction of a new battle profession – the ''designated marksman'' (קלע סער, "kala sa'ar" in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]) – intended to improve the accuracy and firepower of an infantry platoon and compromise between the role of a sniper and an assault rifleman. These soldiers were generally called "squad snipers" to describe their role. They are armed with SR-25 rifle and sharpshooter variations of the [[IMI Tavor TAR-21]] (STAR-21), M16A2E3 and M4 carbine.

===United States Armed Forces===
==== United States Marine Corps ====
The [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]] use M14s that have been rebuilt at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]] and designated as [[United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle|Designated Marksman Rifle]]s, which are being replaced by the [[M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle]].<ref name="Pushies2011">{{cite book|last=Pushies|first=Fred|title=MARSOC: U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VI91ktKAp_wC&pg=PA115|date=15 November 2011|publisher=MBI Publishing Company|isbn=978-1-61059-750-0|pages=113–115}}</ref> The Corps also utilizes two different adaptations of the M16 assault rifle: the [[Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle]] (SAM-R), and the [[Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle|Mk 12 Mod 1 SPR]]. They also utilize the [[M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/586279/marines-set-their-sights-on-designated-marksman-title.aspx|title=Marines set their sights on designated marksman title|website=Marines.mil|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref>

==== United States Army ====
The [[United States Army]] [[101st Airborne Division]] recognized the need for a Squad Designated Marksman when they encountered fires beyond the 300-600m range. In 2004, they began issuing M14s to specially trained soldiers for Designated Marksman work. The [[82nd Airborne Division]] deployed with designated marksmen, trained on the M-4 using ACOGs with great success out to 600m, some 82nd Airborne units were issued M14s. The [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]] saw limited use of a modified M16, which was accurized in a manner similar to the U.S. Marines SAM-R, unofficially designated the AMU [[Squad Designated Marksman Rifle]] (SDM-R). This rifle was designed for engagements up to 1000m.

The U.S. Army DM also uses the predecessor of the M16 rifle, the M14, in certain infantry line units. These are commonly equipped with Leupold optics, a Sage stock and are designated the [[Crazy Horse rifle|M14SE Crazy Horse]].<ref name=Kokalis>{{cite journal|first=Peter|last=Kokalis| journal=Shotgun News|title= M14 reborn: Crazy Horse and the Romanian Option| pages=20–22, 24, 26|year=2005|issue=12|volume=50}}</ref>

==== United States Navy ====
The United States Navy [[United States Navy SEALs|SEAL Teams]] employs SDM rifles in roughly the same manner as the Marine Corps and Army, although there is no specific "Designated Marksman" role in a SEAL platoon. Known used weapons include, but are not limited to, the [[Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle|Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle]], [[M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System]], MK11/[[SR-25]], the MK12 Mod X, the "[[SEAL Recon Rifle]]" and in some cases even regular M14 Rifles fitted with optical scopes. 

The United States Navy [[Naval Expeditionary Combat Command]] employ Expeditionary Designated Marksman to support COCOM / DOD tasking as required. Known used weapons are the [[Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle]] or M4 Rifle with fitted optical scopes. Previously, Designated Marksman assigned to NECC's Helicopter, Visit, Search, and Seizure teams were equipped with the M21 (SWS) w/ Leupold Mk4 LR/T after training with the USMC, US Army, and training organizations to deploy the rifle from various platforms (helicopter, ship, ground).

=== Soviet snipers ===
{{Main article|Snipers of the Soviet Union}}
Although referred to as "snipers", the Soviet Union and its allies have since World War II employed specially-equipped and trained "sharpshooting" soldiers at a section ("[[squad]]") and platoon level to increase the range of their section to {{convert|1000|m|yd|sp=us}}. This is commonly accepted as the first example of what came to be known as a ''designated marksman'' as opposed to a true sniper.<ref name="Cutshaw2011">{{cite book|last=Cutshaw|first=Charles Q.|title=Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From Around the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=npHP9aV5rBgC&pg=PA259|date= 2011|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2482-9|page=259}}</ref>

Since 1963, these soldiers have been equipped with the Dragunov SVD rifle that shares all the characteristics typical of a designated marksman rifle (Semi-automatic fire, [[telescopic sight]], chambered for standard military rifle [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]]).