75th Ranger Regiment Dominates 2025 US Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — In the dense pine forests of North Carolina, where the air hums with the echoes of gunfire and the whispers of legends past, the 16th Annual U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) International Sniper Competition unfolded from March 16 to 20, 2025. This year, the 75th Ranger Regiment emerged as the undisputed champions, embodying their motto, “Rangers Lead the Way.” ​

A Gathering of Elite Marksmen

The competition drew 21 sniper teams from the far corners of the globe, a brotherhood of shadowy figures whose expertise lies in the art of the unseen kill. Among them were representatives from U.S. Special Operations forces, including the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 19th, and 20th Special Forces Groups; the 75th Ranger Regiment; U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC); U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command; and the U.S. Coast Guard. International allies from Switzerland, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada added to the fierce competition. ​

The Gauntlet: 23 Stages of Precision and Grit

The 16th Annual United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) International Sniper Competition put participants through 23 demanding events designed to test every aspect of their skills. Among the most challenging were three nighttime shooting events, where snipers had to rely on night optics and steady nerves to hit targets in low-visibility conditions.

The competition also featured long-range precision stages, including one that required teams to engage distant targets from the top of a six-story tower—forcing them to factor in ballistics, wind, and other environmental variables.

In addition to accuracy-focused challenges, many events were built around realistic combat scenarios, ensuring that competitors’ skills translated to real-world operations. Each event pushed the teams to their physical, mental, and technical limits, while also encouraging collaboration and friendly rivalry between U.S. special operations forces and their international allies.

Command Sergeant Major’s Perspective

Command Sergeant Major Lionel Strong, the sage of the Special Operations Center of Excellence, emphasized the relentless pursuit of excellence:​

“Army special operations Soldiers must optimize and maintain their performance across the tenure of their career. All of our schools… are designed to test our students’ physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive capacity, so that they can perform at the top of their potential on their worst day.” 

In the high-stakes world of long-range precision marksmanship, where inches and seconds dictate life and death, the ability to remain calm under pressure is more than simply valued—it’s positively essential.​

The Victors and Their Spoils

When the smoke cleared, and the final tally was etched into the annals of history, the 75th Ranger Regiment stood atop the podium, their victory a testament to relentless training and unyielding spirit. Hot on their heels, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) claimed second place, while the Netherlands’ Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) secured third, showcasing the formidable prowess of our international brethren. ​

The Brotherhood of the Scope

This annual convergence of elite snipers is not just a competition; it’s a symposium of silent professionals sharing trade secrets and forging bonds that transcend borders. As Command Sergeant Major Strong noted, the presence of international partners “enhances the competition,” reinforcing a culture steeped in generational relationships and mutual respect. These warriors, the best their nations have to offer, collaborate to share best practices and lessons learned, elevating the deadly art they practice. ​

Evolution of the Silent Profession

Since its inception in 2009, the USASOC International Sniper Competition has morphed and adapted, much like the chameleonic operators it seeks to challenge. Retired Master Sergeant Kevin Owens reminisced about the competition’s origins, emphasizing its foundation on real-world combat tasks. The intent was always clear: to craft a gauntlet that mirrors the brutal and unforgiving nature of modern warfare. ​

The Road Ahead

As the sun sets on this year’s competition, the snipers return to their clandestine worlds, their rifles slung and their minds sharper than ever. The lessons learned in the crucible of Fort Bragg will echo in future missions, where the margin between life and death is often measured in milliseconds and millimeters. The 75th Ranger Regiment’s triumph serves as both inspiration and challenge to all who dare to walk the razor’s edge in the highly competitive world of special operations.​

“In the end, amidst the chaos and the bloodshed, one truth remains: the shadows are never empty, and somewhere, a sniper waits.”

-RLTW