Did anyone seen the M24 on Fox news??  the footage was shot with NV. It was of Spec-Op operators walking down a dirt road in Afghan, all of them has NV goggles on, and they were all sporting flattop M4 with Aimpoints and laser aimer. One operator has a skinny barrel sticking out the back of his rack sack on one end, and on the other end you can clearly see the adjustable butt stock pad.  i can't tell the scope, but looks like a Leupold Mark4.  Interesting,  Sniper armed with M4.

SMGLee, I saw the same footage you talking about although those were not were not SpecOps troops. They were light infantry troops from either 10th Mountain or 101 Airborne. Probably scout platoon members. I also saw some Mossberg 590's as well.

Snipers use the M4 for various reasons..two of which its a standard issue weapon and It allows him to blend into his squad and not stick out as a "sniper". Basically helps him from getting killed first by another sniper. If the squad is just humping it to a new location, the sniper needs the ability to assist the squad with rapid/cover fire ect.

If I was a sniper out on patrol with my squad. I would make damn sure I didn't look like a sniper.