In the United States Army during WWII, there was no centralized "sniper school" like there is today. Snipers were organized at the company level, to be distributed one per rifle platoon (three total) in rifle companies as the platoon commanders saw fit. More snipers were often trained than was prescribed by the Table of Organization and Equipment, however; the field manual for scouting, patrolling, and sniping seems to imply more than just three per company. Sniping duties in the US Army during WWII were different from what is taught today, with the ability to consistently hit man-sized targets at ranges around 600 yards being considered proficient.

Within each platoon, several men will be given sniper training. These men will be selected from among the most proficient marksmen in the unit and will be given training in scouting and camouflage and in the use of the sniper's rifle. Snipers, in addition to being expert shots, must be trained to estimate ranges accurately select advantageous firing positions, to move silently through difficult terrain, and to be proficient in the use of maps, aerial photographs, and the compass.

b. The following steps in sniper training will serve as a guide to the development of skill and proficiency

(1) Advanced training in rifle marksmanship

(2) Elimination based on shot groups fired at 300 and 600 yards

(3) Additional practice in range estimation under all conditions of visibility

(4) Training in identifying and locating sounds to include those of weapons

(5) Training in selection of firing positions

(6) Training in observation and visual searching of areas under varying conditions of visibility

(7) Use of concealment and camouflage

(8) Firing at field targets of unknown distance with iron sights

(9) Nomenclature and care of telescopic sight

(10) Zeroing telescopic sight at 400 yards

(11) Study of trajectory, drift, effects of wind and light

(12) Known-distance firing with telescopic sight to determine hold-off

(13) Firing at known targets using telescopic sight

(a) Fairly obvious targets

(b) Concealed targets

(14) Training in selection of and movement by concealed routes

(15) Final examination over terrain not previously used

Snipers could either be employed by themselves, ("mobile sniper") seeking out targets of opportunity, or with a partner observer ("stationary observer-snipers") who was also trained in the use of the rifle covering a fixed area; they would each switch duties every 15 to 20 minutes

A US infantry platoon after February 26, 1944 was organized on paper as follows;

Platoon Headquarters:

Men:

Quantity	SSN	Rank	Role
1c	1542	First or Second Lieutenant	Platoon leader
1r	745	Technical Sergeant	Platoon sergeant
1gr	745	Staff Sergeant	Platoon guide
2r	745	Pvt./Pfc.	Messenger

Equipment:

Equipment	Quantity
Carbine, cal. .30, M1	1
Launcher, grenade, M7	1
Rifle, U.S., cal. .30, M1	4

Three Rifle Squads, each:

Men:

Quantity	SSN	Rank	Role
1r	745	Staff Sergeant	Squad leader
1gr	745	Sergeant	Squad leader, assistant
7r(2gr)	745	Pvt./Pfc.	Rifleman
1b	746	Pvt./Pfc.	Rifleman, automatic
1r	746	Pvt./Pfc.	Rifleman, automatic, assistant
1r	746	Pvt./Pfc.	Ammunition bearer

Equipment:

Equipment	Quantity
Launcher, grenade, M7	3
Rifle, U.S., cal. .30, M1	11
Rifle, Browning, automatic, cal. .30, M1918A2	1

Equipment for Issue:

Equipment	Quantity
Rifle, U.S., cal. .30, M1903A4 (sniper's)	1

• b: Armed with rifle, automatic, cal. .30

• c: Armed with carbine, cal. .30

• g: Armed with launcher, grenade, M7. Three individuals per rifle squad will be armed with launcher, grenade, M7

• r: Armed with rifle, cal. .30, M1, unless otherwise indicated. One individual per rifle platoon, as designated by rifle platoon leader, will be armed with rifle, cal. .30, M1903A4

Sources:

TO&E 7-17 Infantry Rifle Company, dated 26 February 1944

War Department Basic Field Manual 21-75 Scouting, Patrolling, and Sniping, dated 6 February 1944