C.J. Chivers, the New York Times’ excellent war reporter and a former Marine, has a great post on why the Taliban make lousy marksman. The fact that Chivers compiled the data from first hand experiences in the field, mainly interviews with Marines fighting in the south, lends some real heft to the analysis. Chivers noticed a common theme from survivors of multiple Taliban small arms ambushes who said they were at engagements ranges where they should have been hit, but emerged unscathed. The main reason the Taliban are so lousy at gun fights is the lack of formalized training, he says, and a limited knowledge of marksmanship fundamentals. “Let’s dispense outright with talk of born marksmen. Although some people are inclined to be better shots than others, and have a knack, marksmanship itself is not a natural trait. It is an acquired skill. It requires instruction and practice. Coaching helps, too
See original here:
The Taliban Are Crappy Shots
