MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Five, four, three, two, ‘boom' - the echo of two Barrett M107 sniper rifles leaves the firing line quiet.
Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, took part in a sniper, live-fire range to hone their long-range skills aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, November, 2014. 
Two Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division perform a synchronized shot aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., November, 2014. A synchronized shot is when multiple rifles are fired and only one sound is heard. Marines practiced various shooting techniques during their time on the firing line in preparation for an upcoming urban sniper course. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Dalton A. Precht)
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“We are preparing the students of the upcoming [urban sniper] course on the various techniques they will be doing,” said Sgt. Fabian Morales, an assistant team leader with 2nd Recon Bn. “We are also testing our rifles and getting a true zero for [the Marines] before the course.”
Finding a true zero for the rifles will ensure the Marines know what their aiming points are for each target, according to Morales.
“[Finding a] solid zero, or a true, is using the ballistic calculators to configure the math that is needed to use one plug in from zero out to a thousand yards,” said Morales. “It saves a lot of time and helps in their preparation for this upcoming course.”
The training also gave the Marines a sneak peek at some of the techniques that would be presented to them in the upcoming weeks, such as loop-hole shooting.
“The best advantage a sniper can have is shooting behind cover, and we do that with loop-hole shooting,” said Morales. “Loop-hole shooting is when the sniper is shooting from holes about three to four inches in diameter. Normally in an urban environment, we use the loop hole shooting method and the sniper creates the holes using either tools or explosives.”
The Marines looked to the more senior shooters in order to better understand the shooting techniques and what it takes to succeed at those techniques.
“We want them to go out to the course with a general understanding of what will be expected during the training,” said Morales. “One of the key things for them to grasp is how to utilize the ballistic calculator.” By U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Dalton A. Precht
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