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Suddenly, EVERYONE is a SNIPER July 20, 2024

Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.
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With the attempted assassination of former President Trump on July 13, 2024, it seems as if everyone has become a firearm’s expert and self proclaimed ‘sniper’ or expert on precision shooting. Today, FoxNews ran a story lauding the Secret Service Counter Sniper who took out the wanna be assassin and called the shot “1 in a million”. This blog post is simply an opportunity to educate people on ballistics and shooting and to correct some misconceptions. First things first. I have read people say that the assassin wanna be (won’t name him) ‘intentionally shot Trump in the ear’. Uh….no! Let’s talk about rifles, ballistics and accuracy. First a couple of terms:

Precision- Refers to how close a measurement is to a true or accepted value. (Rifles are measured by their precision)

Accuracy- Refers to how consistently a measurement produces the same results under unchanged conditions. (Shooters are gauged by their accuracy on a given platform)

Rifles are typically ‘rated’ or measured in terms of precision of angular measurement known as Minutes of Angle or MOA. 1 MOA is equal to 1/60th of 1 degree of a circle or 1.0472 inches PER 100 yards. For simplicity’s sake we simply use 1 inch per 100 yards. So a rifle guaranteed to shoot 1 MOA will shoot most (nearly all…but it is a statistical distribution) within 1 inch.

So, if the rifle is put in a vice, with match ammo and under perfect conditions (no wind, no temperature fluctuation or other variables during the shooting), the 1 MOA rifle will shoot nearly all rounds within 1 inch at 100 yards(not all rounds as it is a statistical measurement). This does not account for shooter ability or environmental variables. Even a world class shooter shooting a 1 MOA rifle will only be able to shoot 1 inch per 100 yards consistently as that is the capability of the rifle. This is why benchrest and other competition shooters get high precision rifles that shoot much tighter than 1 MOA.

According to news accounts, the wannabe assassin was using a DPMS or similar model AR 15 type platform. These generally only shoot about 3-4 MOA even with Match ammo. So…..the wanna be assassin at 130 yard would likely (given a 3.5 MOA rifle) only be capable of, at best, a 4.55 inch group. now…it looks like he was shooing without optics, he was wearing glasses and, being 20 years old, likely did not have a ton of shooting experience. The adrenaline and other environmental factors would have likely played a major role. I could not see the shooter being capable, under those conditions, of better than a 5 inch group (likely much more). I short, that shot in Trump’s ear was likely as much luck, as skill.

Now…the FoxNews Article talking about the SS Sniper taking a “1 in a million shot” is really reaching. That sniper likely had a high precision rifle (shooting at least 1/2 MOA if not 1/4 MOA) and that sniper had been through some top tier sniper training and had high quality optics and many thousands of rounds of experience in urban shooting scenarios taking no reflex shots. It is highly likely that sniper could shoot to the capability of his rifle and was using match ammo and was very familiar with the platform. His shot was in an estimated 2 inch spot above the shooter’s left eye. While certainly a good shot, it would have been a ‘day at the job’ for a sniper of that skill level shooting that type of platform.

Remember, shooting is a craft that is a combination of art and science. The limitations come from both the shooter and the inherent accuracy of the platform. So the next time you hear someone tell you that “years ago my mom used to drive tacks with an old .30-.30 with open sights at 100 yards” (I actually read that and was derided for correcting that statement online) it is simply not true.

“President” Biden and the 25th Amendment July 11, 2024

Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.
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Anyone who has watched Biden over the past two years has seen a feeble old man try to act as president. It is sad and can only be described as “elder abuse” at this point. His wife…”Dr. Jill Biden” should be ashamed. She is putting her beliefs ahead of the health of her own husband. No doubt living in the limelight is addictive but this is a bridge too far.

The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides a mechanism for addressing situations where a sitting president may be unable to discharge the powers and duties of their office. Recently, discussions have emerged regarding the potential application of this amendment to President Joe Biden, with some observers raising concerns about his cognitive function and ability to fulfill his presidential responsibilities.

The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, outlines procedures for presidential succession and temporary transfer of power in cases of death, resignation, or inability to serve. Section 4 of this amendment specifically addresses scenarios where a president may be unable to fulfill their duties due to physical or mental incapacity[1].

While some individuals have speculated about President Biden’s cognitive health, it is crucial to approach this topic with caution and rely on objective evidence rather than partisan rhetoric. Medical professionals emphasize that age-related changes in cognitive function are normal and do not necessarily indicate dementia or incapacity[2]. Furthermore, the diagnosis of cognitive disorders requires comprehensive medical evaluation and cannot be made based on public appearances or selective video clips.

It is worth noting that the invocation of the 25th Amendment is a serious matter that requires careful consideration and substantial evidence. The process involves the Vice President and a majority of the Cabinet submitting a written declaration to Congress stating that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office[3].

To date, no official medical diagnosis or statement from White House physicians has indicated that President Biden is incapable of performing his duties. The White House has consistently maintained that the President is in good health and fully capable of executing his responsibilities[4].

While public discourse on presidential fitness is an important aspect of democratic accountability, it is essential to rely on factual information and expert medical assessments rather than speculation. The 25th Amendment exists as a safeguard for extreme circumstances, and its application should be based on clear, incontrovertible evidence of incapacity.

As citizens, it is our responsibility to remain informed and engage in constructive dialogue about the functioning of our government. However, we must also be mindful of the potential consequences of unfounded speculation and the importance of respecting due process in matters of such national significance.

In conclusion, while the 25th Amendment provides a constitutional mechanism for addressing presidential incapacity, its application to the current situation lacks substantial evidence. As the debate continues, it is crucial to prioritize factual information and expert medical opinions in assessing the fitness of any sitting president to serve.

References:

[1] U.S. Constitution, Amendment XXV. (1967). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/amendments-11-27#toc-amendment-xxv

[2] American Psychological Association. (2020). Cognitive Aging. https://www.apa.org/topics/aging/cognitive-aging

[3] Neale, T. H. (2018). Presidential Disability Under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Constitutional Provisions and Perspectives for Congress. Congressional Research Service. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R45394.pdf

[4] The White House. (2021). Statement by White House Physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/11/19/statement-by-white-house-physician-dr-kevin-oconnor/

How to Shoot like a Scout/Sniper (PodCast) April 5, 2024

Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.
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Devil in Black Boots- Snipers in Somalia PodCast March 31, 2024

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Here is my latest PodCast….

Stolen Valor in a Small Town.. “DD214-Recon, Scout/Sniper…and…Now ;)” February 22, 2024

Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.
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COBRAUpdate Again!…I have been contacted by someone with a text from the person in question who has offered his “DOD Number”..so I can “check on him”.  Well..all I have asked for is the person’s DD214. I have already requested from the US Archives.  My belief is he never served in ANY capacity but I may be wrong and get an actually DD214. 

The post below was originally written in 2012 when I first began investigating Stolen Valor.  Recently, I had a particularly interesting story come to light. While the Supreme Court has upheld that Stolen Valor(United States v Alverez) is constitutional free right to speech under the 1st Amendment..it does not mean we cannot expose them.  It is also a crime for those who fabricate military honors to defraud others through those efforts.

I was contacted by a few people in a small Kentucky  town called Stanford, KY.  It has a population of about 3,500.  I lived in Kentucky as a child.  Beautiful place, and fine people.  There is, apparently, one individual who is making outlandish claims about being a Marine Sniper.  Some of what I have heard from those who know him (we will just call him Mick T for now) is that he is a “Ghost” (I don’t know where this originated but it is a common statement among valor thieves).  Claims to have “over 200 confirmed kills”…”best friend with Chris Kyle”…”records are all sealed” BS, BS, and more BS. He is, by accounts, profiting from his fraudulent claims.  Lies.

I have personally reached out to this person for clarification on his claims.  Instead of answer the simple question “Have you ever claimed to be a sniper”…he decided the best defense was a good offense and began disparaging me. Well..this has only happened about 50 times in the last 10 years.  Read the post below from 2012.  It includes my DD214(my last one..I have an earlier one, as well).  BTW>.that is a pic of me on the left..

So..YES….I am a real, legit, Marine Sniper..unlike Mick T.  I am a real, qualified Recon Marine.  I have worked Stolen Valor for years and will continue to pursue this case.  I have not published the organization to which he is a president out of a request from members.

I will continue to update this post as I gain more information.  It is troublesome when someone steals valor to promote themselves.  I invite “Mick T” to contact me (3rd request) to resolve this.  Guarantee, I hear nothing but crickets.  It really makes my white hackles….get raised when someone lies about their service like this.

ORIGINAL POST

Strangely, someone has been doing a number of searches on subjects such as “chris mark USMC fraud”, “chris mark military fraud”, “chris mark no sniper” and various other topics.  How do I know this?  Good question! I use the standard WordPress analytics plus Google Analytics!  For those companies wondering the value of Google, this should demonstrate that at the very least, you can see what people are trying to find on you!…but…I digress.  To assuage the person, or persons fears that I was not in the military or was somehow fabricating my experience, I have attached the single ‘God like’ document that shows one’s military experience.  The  mysterious, yet reliable DD214!  This is available to any US citizen in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). yup..you can request a DD214 on me, your grandfather, your dad, or the president (if he had served).  You can get an FOIA on anyone who has served.  Simply go to archives.gov and check it out!…The picture attached is me, in 1995 with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company in Hawaii during our June 1995 amphibious operations. I am top row first on the right while AP is bottom row, second from right.  This happens to be the same month that Scott O’Grady was rescued from Bosnia after being shot down in his F16.  Look closely, and you may recognize some faces 😉

It should be noted that I was on active duty twice…once with the USMC and then with the USN as an officer.  This DD214 is my second…it shows the schools and awards but not my units (like 3/6 STA) while enlisted.  That is a separate DD214…