Perhaps Corporal Austin was a sniper, and we just don't know what he knows....
After all he displays an Infantry unit insignia (or is it a patch) along with his rank.
We just need to sit back and get educated by his wealth of experience.
Personally, just being a grocery bagger at the grocery store at Rock Ridge, I don't get out much, but I read a lot!
Plus I don't have much experience with boulders...