A Girl & A Gun Sniper School Combines Riflecraft and Fieldcraft in Training Designed for Women

Immersive precision-rifle program combines long-range shooting, ballistics, observation, fieldcraft, and teamwork, culminating in successful one-mile engagements

RATON, N.M. (AGirlandAGun.org) — Seventeen women gathered at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, August 10–15, 2026, for A Girl & A Gun Sniper School, an immersive precision-rifle program that combines long-range shooting with fieldcraft, observation, problem-solving, and teamwork. After four intensive days of training, more than half of the participants successfully hit a target at one mile, or 1,760 yards, earning the coveted “I’m Pretty DOPE” patch and proving just how quickly capable shooters can advance with strong instruction, purposeful coaching, and plenty of opportunities to put new skills into practice.

Sniper School is unlike any other A Girl & A Gun program because the training goes far beyond marksmanship. Students learn to account for everything happening between the rifle and the target, including distance, terrain, wind, atmospheric conditions, ballistic performance, observation, and communication. Created specifically for women who want to expand their capabilities, the program makes advanced technical concepts approachable through patient instruction and increasingly challenging exercises. Participants learn which adjustment to make as well as how to evaluate the information in front of them and confidently build a firing solution.

“Sniper School gives women access to a level of training that challenges them intellectually, physically, and technically while providing the instruction and support they need to succeed,” said Robyn Sandoval, President and CEO of A Girl & A Gun. “The one-mile hits were an exciting accomplishment, but the greater achievement was watching each participant learn to trust her data, solve difficult problems, communicate with confidence, and recognize how much she was capable of doing.”

Throughout the week, students developed a better understanding of how their rifles, optics, ammunition, and surroundings work together from muzzle to target. They established data on previous engagements, better known as DOPE, learned to read wind and mirage, evaluated environmental conditions, estimated unknown distances, communicated with spotters, and practiced shooting from field positions. Camouflage, concealment, reconnaissance, observation, and memory exercises took the experience beyond traditional range training and challenged participants to build the awareness and decision-making skills that precision shooting requires in the field.

The program was taught by the Defenders USA instructor team, led by Myles Standish, a former U.S. Army infantry sniper, and Adam Winch, founder of Defenders USA and a former law-enforcement and Military Police officer. Myles brought extensive experience in sniper operations, long-range reconnaissance, fieldcraft, concealment, land navigation, and precision-rifle tactics. Adam is a certified Long Range/Sniper Instructor and Rangemaster Master Instructor who has taught more than 20,000 civilian, military, and law-enforcement students. He has also served several times as an instructor at the A Girl & A Gun National Conference.

Together, Myles, Adam, and Justin, another member of the Defenders USA team, broke down complex concepts into practical, repeatable steps that built upon one another throughout the week. Individual coaching helped students fine-tune their technique and make better decisions as the targets moved farther away and the firing solutions became more demanding. That steady progression was essential because success at extended distances requires the shooter to bring equipment, data, environmental conditions, technique, and communication together as one complete system.

The one-mile target put all of those lessons to the test. At 1,760 yards, participants had to combine solid rifle skills with reliable ballistic data, careful observation, disciplined execution, and clear communication between shooter and spotter. More than half of the 17 students made the connection, an extraordinary milestone that meant much more than simply reaching a distant target. Each hit represented four days of collecting and confirming data, reading changing conditions, making thoughtful adjustments, and applying those lessons as the challenges grew.

Those one-mile hits also captured the purpose behind A Girl & A Gun Sniper School: giving women access to advanced firearms education in an environment where high expectations and meaningful support go hand in hand. Participants were not simply shown how to hit a faraway target. They gained the knowledge and experience to understand the variables, work through problems one step at a time, communicate effectively with a partner, and continue growing as precision-rifle shooters long after the week ended.

A Girl & A Gun extends its appreciation to Fiocchi for sponsoring the match-grade ammunition used throughout Sniper School. Consistent ammunition becomes even more important at extended distances, where small variations can create much larger effects downrange. Fiocchi’s support gave participants the consistency they needed to collect dependable data, confirm their firing solutions, and focus on applying their new skills as the distance and difficulty increased.

From establishing DOPE and reading wind to completing observation, concealment, and one-mile shooting exercises, Sniper School challenged participants to look beyond the trigger press and understand precision shooting as a complete system. The successful one-mile hits gave the week a memorable finish, but the program’s lasting value could be found in the knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving skills each participant carried away from the firing line.

More information about the event can be found at AGirlandAGun.org/sniper.

About A Girl & A Gun

A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG) is a national firearms training organization dedicated to helping women build confidence, competence, and community through high-quality firearms education. With chapters across the United States, AG & AG provides welcoming opportunities for women of all experience levels to develop practical skills through local training, competitive shooting, recreational events, and advanced educational programs. Its nationally recognized events bring together leading instructors and industry partners to give women access to exceptional training experiences. Founded on the belief that women learn best in an encouraging environment that combines professional instruction with meaningful connection, A Girl & A Gun is an influential voice in the firearms community and a trusted resource for women seeking education, preparedness, and responsible firearms ownership. Learn more at AGirlandAGun.org.