The Team House One of the UK's Deadliest Snipers | Ted Shirley | Ep. 386
Dec 14, 2025
Ted Shirley, a former British Army sniper and author of Afghanistan Sniper, shares gripping tales from his combat experiences in Helmand Province. He gives insight into the rigorous sniper training and the precision needed for long-range shots. Ted also bravely discusses the heavy emotional toll of his service, including moral injury and PTSD. He highlights his recovery journey through therapy and plant medicines, while advocating for open conversations about mental health in the military community. His unique perspective challenges the stigma surrounding these crucial issues.
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Early Deployment And First Contact
- Ted Shirley joined the British Army influenced by family military service and deployed to Helmand on his first tour as an infantryman.
- His first experience being shot at made him laugh from disbelief, and the tour quickly became a formative, intense introduction to combat.
Six-Month Sniper Course Intensity
- The British sniper course is six months long with heavy attrition and moves from classroom ballistics to tactical stalks in the Brecon Beacons.
- Ted recalls the stalks and camouflage training as his favorite parts and the ghillie-suit trials as the worst.
Snipers As A Force Multiplier
- As a small sniper element supporting large battalions, Ted's team shifted from patrols to dedicated overwatch that flagged threats at distance.
- Their presence became a force multiplier; Taliban radio traffic showed they avoided areas with snipers.
