At Fort Bragg, the world’s top snipers went head-to-head in the 2025 U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) International Sniper Competition. Over five intense days, 21 elite teams from U.S. Special Operations and allied forces pushed their limits in precision shooting, fieldcraft, and high-pressure decision-making.
In the photo: A competitor in the 16th Annual United States Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition engages long-distance targets on a range at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 18, 2025. Twenty-one teams competed in the USASOC International Sniper Competition where instructors from the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School designed a series of events that challenged the three-person teams’ ability to work together engaging various targets at various distances for speed and accuracy in different types of environments. (U.S. Army photo by K. Kassens)
Read more about this high-stakes competition.
Emerging victorious, the 75th Ranger Regiment claimed 1st place, followed by the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Netherlands. But this competition was about more than just winning—it was about sharpening the lethal edge of modern warfare.
“Snipers must perform at their peak on their worst day,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Lionel Strong. In a world where inches and seconds matter, this event tested not only marksmanship but also resilience and battlefield readiness.
With competitors from the U.S., UK, Canada, France, Germany, and beyond, the event underscored the power of international collaboration. “Everything we do in Special Operations is with and through partners,” Strong emphasized.
Since its inception in 2009, the competition has driven innovation in long-range precision marksmanship, pushing the limits of weapons, optics, and training. The result? A more lethal, adaptable, and battle-ready force.
The margins between first and last place were razor-thin, proving that every sniper who stepped onto that range is among the best in the world. In the end, this competition wasn’t just about hitting targets—it was about building warriors ready for whatever comes next.
