GPS Defense Sniper School

[Every Day Gun Guy]

Just wondering if anyone has attended any of their courses. More specifically, their Sniper/Counter-Sniper and advanced Sniper Courses? Any reviews would be appreciated. I want the best trainining I can get, not necessarily best for the money. So if anyone has multiple experience with a few different schools I would appreciate any reviews you have. Thanks.

 

[Ken Darnell]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

As a graduate of GPS, then named McMillan, I would strongly suggest that you look at Rifles Only.

 

[krecon1]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

I've been to both GPS and Rifles Only. While instruction at both schools was roughly on the same level, I will say that GPS has a much better facility and areas to shoot. The nice thing about GPS is the array of old buildings, structures, and field areas to set up and shoot; urban hides are especially worked into the training at GPS. Also will add the wind can, and will get crazy in both places, so you'll get pleanty of time making wind calls and adjustments.

 

[Andrew Blubaugh]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been to both GPS and Rifles Only. While instruction at both schools was roughly on the same level, I will say that GPS has a much better facility and areas to shoot. The nice thing about GPS is the array of old buildings, structures, and field areas to set up and shoot; urban hides are especially worked into the training at GPS. Also will add the wind can, and will get crazy in both places, so you'll get pleanty of time making wind calls and adjustments. </div></div>

GPS has a better facility? Are you high? RO allows for dope well beyond 1K if you need it. I have shot movers at RO out to 700 yards. RO has hundreds of target stations along with a Northern Lights Tactical remote target and dozens of Larue reseting targets. Don't forget that RO runs Helo-Platform classes. I have shot from stationary and moving vehicles at RO.

GPS has a unique venue in the older buildings on site but the rest of the venue has a lot to be desired. The limited shooting line at multiple distances, limited movers creates a huge amount of down time. At RO you can break the class up into groups and cover multiple distances and multiple skill sets all at the same time. Down time is a killer to any class and at RO the facility limits down time to a minimum.

krecon1, you may have "been" to both location but I question if you have <span style="font-style: italic">trained</span> at both locations.

 

[krecon1]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

I'm not high, but the lack of o2 at 6000ft may be clouding my judgment.

It comes down to what you want to accomplish. If you want to get dope, shoot at the movers, and run a large class then RO may be better - if you want a more realistic training environment, be able to conduct overwatch and sniper initiated assaults, get in some field skills, urban hides, some angle shooting, then GPS will serve you better. I have "trained" at both locations - and still feel GPS offers more overall. Maybe RO has added a few things since I was there in fall '07, but we spent most of the time on the tower, one person shooting at a time, and with a fair amount of down time overall. Both places have pros and cons, but to me, and from what I experienced at both RO and GPS, I prefer GPS. The original question of looking for Sniper/Counter-Sniper and advanced Sniper Courses, at least to me implies more field skills time – something GPS far exceeds RO at.

 

[MrButterpants]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been to both GPS and Rifles Only. While instruction at both schools was roughly on the same level, I will say that GPS has a much better facility and areas to shoot. </div></div>

I disagree. Actually I think you should be checked out by a mental health professional

 

[krecon1]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrButterpants</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been to both GPS and Rifles Only. While instruction at both schools was roughly on the same level, I will say that GPS has a much better facility and areas to shoot. </div></div>

I disagree. Actually I think you should be checked out by a mental health professional

</div></div>

That's great if you disagree, but explain why you disagree. We're trying to give some informed responses so the OP can attend a course, hopefully gain something from it, and not waste his money on instruction/venues he wasn't happy with. Do you have a mental health professional you recommend? I drove my last one crazy!

I just looked this up - read it and make a judgment. I will say our course was more organized than what is explained in the link, but little things like a training schedule ahead of time would have been nice (we were not provided one either) and the thing about the photo shoots is true, it just didn't hamper our training.

Complaints about GPS Sniper School

More GPS/RO reviews

 

[PIGtooth]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

This seems to be a common problem with this profession. Name brand recognition. As nightmel said, he wants the best regardless of cash. So I say based on the responses here you should do both. Obviously someone likes GPS so learn from two schools, you'll have more experience and be better rounded.

 

[krecon1]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PIGtooth</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This seems to be a common problem with this profession. Name brand recognition. As nightmel said, he wants the best regardless of cash. So I say based on the responses here you should do both. Obviously someone likes GPS so learn from two schools, you'll have more experience and be better rounded. </div></div>

Agree. Like I said earlier attend RO if you want the ranges, movers, dope, etc. Attend GPS if you want a realistic training venue, field skills, and ability to support team movement, sniper initiated assaults, etc.

 

[MrButterpants]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrButterpants</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: krecon1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been to both GPS and Rifles Only. While instruction at both schools was roughly on the same level, I will say that GPS has a much better facility and areas to shoot. </div></div>

I disagree. Actually I think you should be checked out by a mental health professional

</div></div>

That's great if you disagree, but explain why you disagree. We're trying to give some informed responses so the OP can attend a course, hopefully gain something from it, and not waste his money on instruction/venues he wasn't happy with. Do you have a mental health professional you recommend? I drove my last one crazy!

I just looked this up - read it and make a judgment. I will say our course was more organized than what is explained in the link, but little things like a training schedule ahead of time would have been nice (we were not provided one either) and the thing about the photo shoots is true, it just didn't hamper our training.

Complaints about GPS Sniper School

More GPS/RO reviews </div></div>

This has been discussed ad nauseum here....I just searched and guess some of the old posts were purged. CB was involved in the discussion then as well. I really don't feel like starting the bashing of instructors here and for all I know Bill Graves could have added some instructors (Rick Furr is awesome though) and revised the cirriculum....but when I attended he taught some sketchy shit. The venue is very cool though if you havn't spent much time in the desert.

Not only did I come away with more knowledge after a week at RO, but it was just plain and simple more fun. Jacob is a fucking funny dude with a unique and energetic way of presenting things. Same goes for Frank like 10x.

If money is no object to the OP, then go to both and decide for yourself.

 

[Andrew Blubaugh]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

Krecon, I am assuming you took the Precision Rifle course at Rifles Only and one of the Sniper based classes at GPS???

This is the problem. The PR series of classes at RO are primarily focused on precision shooting with a tactical mindset. If you want a field craft based class they have ran them before but most people understand the need to employ their weapon system in a safe, proficient and accurate manner trumps the field craft part of the equation.

GPS does have a stronger focus on field craft in their classes which causes them to fall short in other areas. Angle shooting for instance. When I attended GPS we shot 15 rounds between 100 and 200 yards with an angle. That was a disappointment. RO has run a high angle course in the past. So you spend part of one day with the fundamentals gather your dope and then spend the rest of the week shooting angles. GPS leans to the one size fits all class so you get a taste of everything but have a hard time mastering anything.

Edit to add- Running the gun is key, if you can't run the gun everything else is near worthless. Rifle's Only Precision Rifle Course will teach you to run the gun properly.

 

[Shibumi]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

The old west cowtown has been condemned by the Fire Marshall, and from what I have gleaned it is not an ideal venue to pursue.
I could be wrong, but my source is not.

I would pursue any knowledge at RO, and talk to Jacob about what it is your looking for and go with what he recommends.

 

[Every Day Gun Guy]

Re: GPS Defense Sniper School

Thank many of you for your responses and experience. I am definitely not looking for any bashing. I appreciate the in depth comparison krecon. I would attend both if I could initially, but only got 15 days of R&R to do it in, so only one now then maybe the other 5 months later. I am sure both have great instructors and different skillsets to bring to the table. I am really looking forward to attending.