Officials said the marksmanship course was part of a U.S. effort to increase training of the Iraq Army. They said many Iraqi units have obtained embedded U.S. trainers, Middle East Newsline reported.

Naim, who underwent a sniper course to teach other Iraqi soldiers, said an armed insurgent could stop a battalion. A battalion contains about 400 soldiers.

Officials said the army has expanded its advanced marksmanship course to enhance urban warfare operations. They said the course, held at the Besmaya range 30 kilometers east of Baghdad, would produce Iraqi snipers who could target insurgents in Baghdad and other cities.

Officials said the course lasts seven weeks and the first seven soldiers graduated on Dec. 1. The course began with the teaching of advanced marksmanship principles using standard AK-47 rifles. Later, the soldiers advanced to the sniper part of the course and were provided Romanian PSL sniper rifles.

"In my unit we have sniper rifles, but nobody knows how to use them," an Iraqi Army sergeant identified only as Haida said. "I really believe this training is going to help me in the future."

Officials said the army would be provided snipers to most units. This would deploy a marksman on a roof to target insurgents and their commanders.

The marksmanship course was said to be difficult and selective, demanding the striking of targets at ranges of up to 600 meters. Officials said the majority of students did not complete training, which included a 10-kilometer march as well as firing at pop-up targets.

They said the focus was on establishing a good position, breathing and firing techniques and weapons proficiency.

"We fired a lot of rounds," an adviser said. "With just 19 guys going through this program and many of those washing out, we went through more than 1,800 rounds over the past seven weeks."

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