- John Plaster
Infobox Military Person
name= John L. Plaster
born=
died=
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allegiance= United States of America flagicon|USA
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rank=Major
branch=United States Army
commands=
unit=United States Army Special Forces , Military Assistance Command-Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG)
battles=Vietnam War
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laterwork=Major John L. Plaster (US Army-Ret.) is a formerU.S. Army Special Forces soldier regarded as one of the leadingsniper experts in the world. A decoratedVietnam War veteran who served in thecovert Studies and Observations Group (SOG), Plaster co-founded a renowned sniper school that trains military and law enforcement personnel in highly specialized sniper tactics. He is also the author of "", "The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting ", a history of SOG, and amemoir of his service with SOG.Plaster was trained as a communications sergeant in the Special Forces. He served three combat tours in Vietnam as a member of SOG, leading intelligence-gathering and
recon teams inNorth Vietnamese Army -controlled areas ofLaos andCambodia and along theHo Chi Minh Trail . He was wounded once, and decorated four times, eventually receiving a field commission in recogniztion of his combat experience. He retired from the military at the rank of Major.Plaster parlayed his military experience into becoming an expert sniping instructor to members of many U.S. governmental agencies such as the
Federal Bureau of Investigation , theUnited States Customs Service , theUnited States Marshals ,Navy SEALs andUnited States Marine Corps . Foreign units that have also attended the school include theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police and theSpanish Foreign Legion .Since 1993, Plaster has been a precision
rifle instructor at theGunsite Training Center inPaulden, Arizona . He was recently Chief of Competition for Autauga Arms's U.S. and European sniping championships.Plaster holds a BA in
Journalism .Awards and decorations
*
Published writings
*Author, "
The Ultimate Sniper : An Advanced Training Manual for Military and Police Snipers"
*Author, "SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam"
*Author, "Secret Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG"
*Author, "SOG: A Photo History of the Secret Wars"
*Author, "The History of Sniping and Sharpshooting"
*Contributor, "The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ", "Tactical Edge ", "Soldier of Fortune " and "Guns & Ammo "External links
* [http://www.ultimatesniper.com/ John Plaster's website]
* [http://www.paladin-press.com/authormo_0306.aspx Paladin Press feature on John Plaster]
* [http://www.gunsite.com/ Gunsite Academy]
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