Soldiers with the 2nd of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team prepare for their first sniper annual training mission June 6, 2018 at the Orchard Combat Training Center south of Boise, Idaho. The Soldiers are preparing to attend sniper training in a newly formed sniper platoon in the Idaho Army National Guard. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua C. Allmaras) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffThe Army now has its first female sniper. Sgt. Maciel Hay, a scout attached to 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rdAirborne Brigade, successfully completed the course late last year. Around the same time, Hay also completed airborne school.
“My nickname growing up was ‘Sniper,’ Hay said. “I grew up shooting, mostly rifles and handguns, on my family’s ranches in Rockin, California and Medford, Oregon. But the nickname coms from the fact that I could find things really fast, similar to how a sniper does target detection.”
The sniper selection process is arduous. Infantry soldiers must display a high proficiency in marksmanship to be considered, meet specific mental and physical standards, and maintain a high level of fitness, discipline and concentration. Criteria include demonstrating exceptional proficiency on both bolt-action and semi-automatic weapons. She had to show she could stay concealed while observing, garnering intelligence, and stalking her target. Survival and navigation skills also factored heavily.
She had to meet the additional burden of finding a suitable ghillie suit, the heavily camouflaged outfit snipers wear.
“It took may hours, multiple people and tons of sewing,” Hay said.
After completing the sniper course, Hay headed to Anchorage, Alaska, and an assignment with the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment. She would like to become a jumpmaster in the near term, and perhaps eventually take a stab at Ranger school.
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