The Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) is an integral part of the standard rifle squad and is responsible for the squad's ability to defeat targets at ranges or sizes where regular rifle fire is insufficiently accurate. The SDM is not to be confused with a sniper or be used as such, only in rare cases does he engage targets beyond 500 meters.

The SDM possesses certain specialized equipment to aid him in his efforts.

• Marksman rifle (DMR).
  
• Range Card.
  
• Map tools.

The Marksman Rifle
The DMR, combined with his skills, is what puts the SDM apart from the regular rifleman. Typically the DMR is in a larger caliber (7.62 NATO) than the regular squad rifle (5.56 NATO). This incompatibility of ammunition necessitates that the SDM is precise and efficient in his engagements to prevent running out of ammunition in the field.

The DMR is most often used with a marksman optic that has a higher magnification level than the standard issue rifles. Not rarely, the optic has variable zoom.

Range Card
The range card allows the SDM to reach maximum efficiency in his engagements through finding out the appropriate scope corrections for a certain target.

Map Tools
The map tools are optional but are extremely useful as there is no range finder. The map tools can be used to measure range between the shooter and target.

No range finder?
I chose to exclude the range finder from this guide as there is a different more realistic way to figure out the approximate range to a target using the optic reticle (provided it uses mildots).

Firing solution is just a fancy word for correction value. There is a small equation involved in doing this when the ATragMX and Kestrel 4500NV is unavailable, but let's start from the beginning!

Range Estimation
Range estimation is the first step to building a firing solution and can be done in one of two ways; (1) by eye, or (2) with map tools.

(1) is significantly less reliable than (2) but can be the only viable method if under time pressure.

To measure distance using the map tools you first need to know your own location on the map and the approximate position on the map of the target or landmark in proximity to the target. To use the map tools you need to open your map and go into your ACE Self-Interaction Menu > Map Tools > Show Small Map Tool. Once done, a small map tools will have appeared in the lower left of your map (not screen). To adjust the map tool, simply drag it around with LMB and rotate it with Alt+LMB. There is a faster way to do this by going into the ACE Self-Interaction Menu > Map Tools > Align Map Tool To Compass. This will snap the map tool to your current direction. Once done, you simply place the ruler on the long edge of the map tool on your own position and measure the distance to the target by following the ruler.

You can also use your scope reticle (provided it uses accurate mildots) to estimate range.

This might seem scary at first, but allow me to explain.

The distance between the center of two dots is 1 milliradian (1 MRAD/MIL). If we have a target that we do not know the range to, but we know the approximate height of (1.8 meters), we can use the simple equation of (Target Height in meters * 1000) / Milliradians. In our case, the target covers 2 MRADs in the optic and as such we can estimate that the target is (1.8 * 1000) / 2 = 900 meters away.

Temperature
Once we have established the range to our target, we move on to measuring the ambient air temperature. For this you will need ACE Weather enabled. To do this, you simply go into your ACE Self-Interaction Menu > Check Air Temperature. This will give you an approximated temperature, all you need to do is take the value in the middle and memorize it.

Now that we have established both range to target and temperature, we can open our range card and follow the appropriate column for our measured temperature to where the row for range intersects with the column. This value is our drop zero. Go ahead and enter that correction into your optic.

Wind Deflection
Wind deflection depends on direction and strength of the wind. To get an approximation of the wind direction and strength, press Shift+K and a small arrow (or circle if there is no wind) will appear indicating wind direction. Most of the time, the arrow will be accompanied by Beaufort scale indicators. One dot = one level on the Beaufort scale.
Note: This isn't the full Beaufort scale, just the most common levels.

Once we have established our average wind speed, we need to apply a modifier to account for direction.


Once we have multiplied the measured wind with this modifier, we have the wind speed we need to correct for. On the range card, there exists a wind table, this wind table is for a 4 m/s wind at full value (e.g. 3 or 9 o'clock). To get the correction for our wind speed we just divide the value in the wind table by 4 and then multiply the result with our calculated wind speed. This will give us the appropriate wind correction.

Because of the inherent inaccuracy of the Beaufort scale and MRAD range estimation, getting a first-round hit is 50/50. Thus it is important that you follow the path of your projectile before firing again. This allows you to reduce ammunition expendature and faster eliminate key personnel.

Note that it says key personnel, not just personnel. The SDM prioritizes personnel important to the opponent's operations, morale, and warfighting capability. Some examples of prioritized targets include:

• Weapons/Vehicle Crews.
  
• Specialists (e.g. anti-tank personnel, machine gunners).
  
• Commanders (e.g. squad leaders, officers).

There will be times when you do not have a shot on any of these categories. In that case; do not fire. Your ammunition is very limited as a SDM and often incompatible with other members of the squad.

The SDM is a very agile and flexible tool in the squad leader's toolbox. The SDM allows for better observation and firepower at long ranges. But even then, the SDM does not engage every target he sees, he carefully picks his targets and cause the maximum amount of damage with the least amount of ammunition.

This book was inspired by various U.S. Army and Swedish Army manuals.

I hope you enjoyed your read and learned something new or refreshed prior knowledge. If you feel there is anything I have missed or gotten wrong, please let me know.

Thanks.