Honoring the Legacy: Tim Parkhurst and the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation on On The Range Podcast

Hey guys, Rick Hogg here from War HOGG Tactical. I've spent 29 years in U.S. Army Special Operations with 13 combat deployments, and I know the value of remembering where we came from. That's why our recent episode of On The Range Podcast with Tim Parkhurst, President of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation, hit home for me and my co-host Mark Kelley from Kelley Defense. We sat down with Tim to chat about the rich history of Marine Scout Snipers, the foundation's work to honor them, and how everyday folks can get involved. With over 60 years of combined military and law enforcement experience between Mark and me, we dug into the stories that shape our understanding of excellence in the field. If you're into veteran tales, tactical know-how, or just want to support a great cause, this episode is packed with inspiration to help you be 1% better every day. Let's break it down.

Kicking Off the Conversation: Introducing Tim and the Foundation

We jumped right in with Tim introducing himself and the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation. Based out of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Tim's been married for 33 years and brings a personal touch to his role as president. The foundation is a legal subsidiary of the USMC Scout Sniper Association, which has been going strong for 28 years. But about 1.5 years ago, they spun off this dedicated group to focus on preserving history and building a memorial. Tim explained how there's no existing monument for Scout Snipers despite their over-100-year legacy in the Marine Corps. "We're a legal subsidiary of the USMC Scout Sniper Association," Tim shared, emphasizing their goal to uncover lost stories and honor the fallen. Mark and I nodded along, knowing how these narratives fuel better training and appreciation for what it takes to excel in high-stakes environments. This setup isn't just about the past, it's a bridge to inspiring future generations of shooters and vets.

Tracing Back the Roots: A Century-Plus of Marine Scout Sniper History

Tim took us on a fascinating ride through the origins of Marine Scout Snipers, starting in 1918 during World War I. That's when the first formal Scout Sniper school opened at Quantico, Virginia, training over 450 Marines that year alone. They used specialized gear like the 1903 Springfield rifle with an A5 Winchester optic, and even had a Canadian captain, who'd been wounded in 1916, as the senior instructor. Before that, things were more grassroots, like Chief Gunner Henry Pearson Crowe running an informal school in 1941 for the 8th Marine Regiment at Camp Elliot, California. By World War II, official schools popped up at Camp Elliot and New River, North Carolina. Tim highlighted table-of-organization platoons, such as the one on Tarawa led by Lt. William Hawkins, who earned a Medal of Honor. That single platoon racked up another Medal of Honor, a Navy Cross, and 15 Silver Stars in just 72 hours of brutal combat. "They fought in every clime and place alongside Marines," Tim noted, painting a picture of their pivotal role in major conflicts. We've identified over 3,000 Scout Snipers in history, with at least 200 KIA, a sobering ratio given the small active duty numbers of 300-400 at a time. Mark shared parallels from his SWAT days, and I added insights from Special Ops, where overwatch and precision saved lives. This history isn't dusty, it's the foundation for modern tactical training.

The Heart of the Mission: Building a Lasting Memorial

At the core of the foundation's work is erecting a Marine Scout Sniper War Memorial at the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park in Quantico, Virginia, right outside the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Why there? It's on the highest elevation point for that symbolic overwatch vibe, and it's near where the first school started in 1918. Plus, it's accessible to the public, open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, with free entry. The site is a Rally Point monument spot, costing around $110,000 to purchase, and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation will handle maintenance forever through an endowment. No ongoing costs for the foundation means all efforts go to preservation. Tim stressed that the memorial won't list every name since the roster keeps growing, but it'll feature a QR code linking to the full history, names, and details. "It's time to honor those guys," Tim said, and we couldn't agree more. With my background in combat zones and Mark's in law enforcement, we discussed how such tributes motivate better preparedness. The foundation verifies names rigorously: service in a sniper platoon, school graduation, or combat duty as a Scout Sniper. This ensures the legacy is accurate and respectful.

Legends and Unsung Heroes: Stories That Define the Legacy

We couldn't skip the iconic figures. Tim mentioned three Medal of Honor recipients who were Scout Snipers: one from World War I, Lt. William Hawkins from World War II on Tarawa, and living hero Dakota Meyer from recent conflicts. Then there's Carlos Hathcock and Jim Land, who basically kickstarted the modern era in Vietnam. But it's not just the big names—the foundation is digging up stories of everyday heroes. For instance, during Guadalcanal, the "Whaling Group" trained 100 volunteers in recon and sniping. Tim's become a historian through this, uncovering erased records since the Corps didn't track Scout Snipers as a primary MOS until electronic era. "New names are discovered daily," he told us. Mark and I shared our own tales, his from dignitary protection and mine from deployments, about how elite teamwork, like in Scout Sniper platoons, shapes leadership. Tim reflected on his early 1990s time as a Scout Sniper, calling his platoon mates "some of the finest individuals." It's these personal connections that make the foundation's work so vital, reminding us why we train hard and stay ready.

Fundraising from the Ground Up: How You Can Contribute

Tim was upfront about the challenges, they need about $2 million for the memorial, with 10% raised so far through grassroots means. No massive donors yet, but they're optimistic. "Without ever having a major six-figure donor, just grassroots by selling these things, we'll be able to raise that money," he said. Key items include a limited-edition (762 units) 4:1 scale replica of the M118 7.62 sniper cartridge. It's precision-machined aluminum with a Lake City headstamp and Sierra Match King bullet, unscrewing to hold 1.12 ounces, like a flask for "one shot, one kill." Serialized with the inscription "Remember the Sacrifice and Honor the Legacy," it's made by Hotspur in the UK, owned by an SAS vet. There's a matching decanter too. Other ways: buy brick pavers (three lines, 20 characters each) to surround the memorial, or grab swag like t-shirts, hats, and coins. Direct donations are simple via scoutsniperheritage.org, and follow them on social @scoutsniperheritage. Tim teased events like the Marine Corps 250th birthday at the rebuilt Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on November 10, they'll have a tent there. We encouraged listeners to jump in; it's an easy way to support while getting cool gear.

Tim's Journey: From Service to Stewardship

Getting personal, Tim shared his 25-year Marine Corps career, including broken time that extended it. He deployed in Operations Enduring Freedom and Desert Storm, and his brief stint as a Scout Sniper in the early '90s profoundly influenced him. "The excellence of teammates," he reflected, taught him about leadership and the human condition. From a private military high school that mirrored the Corps, Tim knew early on he wanted to be a Marine. After enlisting, he rose through the ranks, serving across four conflicts. Now, as foundation president, he's channeling that passion into preservation. His board includes Scout Snipers from various eras, with advisors like Major General James "Hammer" Hartzell, historian Colonel John T. Hoffman, Jake Wood from Team Rubicon, and retired Sergeant Majors Booker and Zickefoose, both Silver Star recipients. Most are everyday vets proud of their community. Mark and I tied this to our experiences, stressing how such stewardship inspires tactical growth and resilience.

Tying It to Training: Practical Takeaways for Shooters

We wove in how this heritage informs today's training. Scout Snipers weren't just marksmen, they were part of structured programs with dedicated schools and platoons. Tim's insights on high KIA ratios and valor awards underscore the risks and skills involved. For listeners, we suggested incorporating overwatch drills into range sessions, focusing on precision under stress, and using history for motivation. Dry-fire routines, muscle memory building, and gear like reliable optics tie back to those early sniper rifles. Document your progress in The Firearms Training Notebook, it's how we track that 1% better. Whether you're LEO, military, or civilian, these stories remind us to train smarter.

Why This Matters at War HOGG Tactical

This episode aligns with our mission at War HOGG Tactical, delivering real-world training and honoring service. Mark and I have seen the impact of legacy in action, so spotlighting the foundation feels right. It's about empowerment through knowledge.

Final Reflections: Preserving History, Inspiring Action

Our chat with Tim captured the essence of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation, honoring sacrifice while building for the future. From 1918 origins to today's efforts, it's a call to remember and act. Head to scoutsniperheritage.org to contribute. Be 1% better every day, and stay safe out there