Jack Coughlin (born January 12, 1966) is a retired Gunnery Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and is the author of the autobiographical book Shooter.'
Early years
Jack Coughlin was born and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. He had four older sisters. His father had been a painting contractor until he decided to change his career to one that included history and literature.
At a young age, Jack was temporarily blinded in his right eye (his shooting eye) when a sharp rock hit his eye when he was passing by a rock fight with two older boys. The eye eventually healed and his sight in the eye was 20/10.
Jack was very passionate about playing baseball throughout his childhood and adolescence. As he proceeded to college, his dreams of making it to Major league baseball were shattered after he hurt his pitching shoulder. Soon after this incident, at the age of 19, Jack decided to enlist in the Marine Corps after consulting with his best friend.
Life in the Marines
Coughlin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1985 and completed his recruit training at MCRD Parris Island. His first experiences with operating firearms, including shooting a rifle, occurred in the Marine Corps recruit training. He later attended Scout/Sniper school. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines (3/4), part of the 7th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division.
Coughlin was also station at Subic Naval Base Republic of the Philippines with Alpha Company Marine Barracks Starboard Security Platoon and later the Jungle Operations Branch (JOBS)
Coughlin originated the concept of the Mobile Sniper Strike Team (MSST), which he employed in Iraq to great effect, and is now gaining broader support in the military.
Coughlin was deployed to Basra, with British troops, during Operation Iraqi Freedom -- the United States 2003 invasion of Iraq. Later, making his way north to the city of Baghdad with his Marine Corps battalion, Jack was present at the famous toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein.
While in Iraq, Jack received his second Bronze Star with "V" for Valor. When he returned from Iraq, he retired from the Marine Corps.
Legacy and aftermath
Coughlin originated the concept of the Mobile Sniper Strike Team, which he employed in Iraq.
Bibliography
Coughlin's autobiography -- Shooter -- which recounted his military experiences in Iraq, written with Capt. Casey Kuhlman and Donald A. Davis, was published in 2005.
He has written two other books with Davis:
* Kill Zone: A Sniper Novel. MacMillan. 2007. ISBN 978-0-312-94567-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=qobrJsNhO64C.
* Dead Shot. St. Martin's. 2009. ISBN 978-0-312-37912-4.
