Chris Sajnog - How to Shoot Like a Navy SEAL: Combat Marksmanship Fundamentals

HOW TO
SHOOT LIKE A

NAVY SEAL

Combat Marksmanship Fundamentals

CHRIS SAJNOG

2013 by Center Mass Group, LLC

San Diego, CA 92129

http://centermassgroup.com

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Produced in the United States

ISBN: 978-0-9892664-3-7

First Edition:

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WARNING: This book is presented for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional firearms training. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for the use or misuse of firearms or the information contained in this book.

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Dedicated to
My two warrior sons, Caden and Owen.

Contents

Navy SEAL Creed

In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nations call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed.

Forged by adversity, he stands alongside Americas finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life.

I am that man.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men.

Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

Introduction

To be a great shooter you need to seek perfection in everything you do. Unlike many endeavors, shooting is literally either hit or miss. There is no close enough when it comes to taking low-percentage shots in a high-stress environment. This means not only a strong foundation in the basics, but performing the basics exceedingly well. It takes Virtuosity.

I was first introduced to the term virtuosity back in 2005 in a CrossFit article by Coach Gregg Glassman. He talked about the importance of virtuosity as a CrossFit trainer and used the gymnastics definition of, performing the common, uncommonly well.

As a Navy SEAL sniper instructor I understood this style of training and had been practicing it for years, but it was not until I saw this article that I had seen it put into words so well. So before I get into the how of combat marksmanship, I want to explain the importance of virtuosity in firearms training and the theory behind my training model.

Becoming a virtuoso of firearms requires hours upon hours of dedication and perseverance. There are no shortcuts to becoming a master, but there is a tendency among new shooters to ignore the basic fundamentals of marksmanship and quickly move to learning more advanced or cool looking techniques, skills, or added movements. This pattern of novice training is apparent in all kinds of skills such as playing a musical instrument, learning a new sport, or any other type of mechanical skill. Although this drive is a natural one for those of us with A-type personalities, it is an impediment to those aiming for perfection and should be avoided at all costs.

Solid fundamentals are required to become the best in any skill, especially in firearms training. The problem comes from shooters having weak fundamentals and a desire for useless (and at times dangerous) or flashy techniques. Many times this is supported by firearms instructors either afraid to insist on perfection before moving on, or worse, a lack of understanding of their importance. This will eventually lead to a lack of virtuosity and a delay in truly mastering the art of shooting. Its vital to understand, especially in firearms training, where mistakes can be fatal, the importance of hammering on the basics of shooting:

1. Shooting Platform

2. Grip

3. Sight Refinement

4. Sight Picture

5. Breathing

6. Trigger Control

7. Follow-Through

Obviously, these are the seven fundamentals of marksmanship, but they must be truly mastered before you attempt to move on to more advanced shooting skills. Like the foundation of a building, your fundamentals need to be solid or everything you add on top will eventually come crumbling down. Sure it looks cool to run around the range like Captain America, but if your shots are missing the target youll walk away looking like an idiot.