There really a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the designated marksman rifle and special purpose rifle. People often confuse the role and the rifle. Since adoption into the US military doctrine, the actual rifles have changed several times, often leading to confusion over what it actually looks like.
We’ve seen modified M-14 rifles, the EBR, 308 ARs like the SR-25, many variations of the AR-15 platform, and more. The role the rifle fills through all of this has remained relatively stable, though.
When I talk about a designated marksman, I’m specifically referring to an organic member of the squad. Their primary role is engaging targets, or supporting friendly movements, by accurate fire from intermediate ranges up to about 600 yards. This is primarily a fighting role that moves and fights with their squad. They operate much like an automatic rifleman, but equipped with a precision-oriented rifle rather than a light machine gun.
Let’s contrast that against a sniper, who fills a different role. A sniper is part of a separate team designed to observe, provide intelligence, and engage with precision fire. In the real world, snipers do a whole lot more observing and communicating than shooting. A sniper can, of course, do a lot of shooting, moving, and communicating, but it’s not their primary function.
Put another way, think of the sniper as if they were a special asset you could ask for if they were available, like air support, while the designated marksman is always in your squad.
