Sniper training at Fort Hood

They are the heroes we don't often see--hiding out, making critical shots that save countless lives. Thursday, we got to meet the next generation of snipers and we got an up close look at the training it takes - to qualify for the prestigious role.

They are masters of precision and distance. The men you see are some of the newest snipers at fort hood. 20-year-old Private First Class Devin Poole's max effective range is 1200 meters.

"Think about a mile and two tenths,” said PFC Devin Poole.

They practice on this range several times a month. No one leaves when the shooting drills are over.

These men have been living on the land since Monday.

"Sitting out here fighting off mosquitoes, you know,” said Poole.

This is no camping trip. They must hide with the bare essentials as if they were on an actual battlefield. The men outfit ghillie suits in leaves and grass to match their environment.

"The task is very critical. You want to make sure that the vegetation that you use lays just like it is in the environment because if it's not it's easy for you to be detected and caught,” said Sgt. Brandon Robinson.

The job qualifications go well beyond being a skilled shooter. Patience seems to be the number one trait that sets them apart from other soldiers.

"I think the most difficult part of my job is sitting in one place for long periods of time not being able to move or retreat. Just waiting it out because we could be out for two to three days at a time without no re-supply,” said Poole.

"In this generation it's very hard to be patient,” said Robinson.

Sgt. Brandon Robinson accepted the challenge three years ago. As a sniper school graduate he helps mentor other soldiers.

"I knew this role was me when I was a child. I liked to creep around and be silent without getting caught you know you get in trouble so actually having a job that involves something I've done as a child, being mischievous kind of helps out a lot,” said Robinson.

It's a role they take seriously and are honored to have. They are ready to put their training to use should they get the call to deploy.

"We take very, very important shots. So whatever shots we do take can be the change to major things in our role on the battlefield. So it's critical to know what we're doing out there,” said Poole.

"It's a really good matured job that you have to fit into and I'm pretty proud to be in it,” said Robinson.