Mercenaries

[DemonArchangel]

Why do so many nations have problems with letting their citizens become mercenaries? Organizations like Executive Outcomes have done a great job with ending insurgencies in Africa, while Blackwater, despite having its share of problems, has prevented State Department officials from getting killed while in Iraq.

Is it because of ethical issues, or because of other factors like nations wanting to hold onto their trained personnel solely for their own use?

[HoreTore]

Mercenaries....

Can burn in hell. Capital punishment for anyone who joins organizations in that business.

My opinion anyway.

[Kralizec]

Mercenaries....

Can burn in hell. Capital punishment for anyone who joins organizations in that business.

My opinion anyway.

Oh, come on. What about the A-team ?!?!?!

[Kadagar_AV]

As sergeant in the army: may they burn.

war should not be about money.

also, they do not follow the moral code the rest do.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Mercenaries, properly disciplined and kept under full control of their employer, can and should have a role in modern warfare in some way if employing mercenaries is deemed sound and practical by the potential employer.

[Kadagar_AV]

EMFM, elaborate.

WHY would we need them?

I mean, exactly in what part of warfare do we need troops not held by the Genevé convention?

[Beskar]

Mercenaries are only for security jobs, aren't they? Not actual offensive combat.

[Mooks]

war should not be about money.

also, they do not follow the moral code the rest do.

Ya, war should be about your country, and enhancing its power! o wait...

It should be about God, and getting rid of those heathens! no, thats not it...

Its about bringing those barbarians out of the dark ages and into civilization! No, thats never worked out....


So what exactly is the "right" reason for war?

And I doubt all soldiers have a code of ethics. Either im naive or you are.

[Kadagar_AV]

Mooks,

naive..

I would fight and die for the principles I deem worthy of fighting and dying for. Be it nationalistic ones or philisophical ones.

That is the ONLY reason why anyone should point a gun at someone else, and pull the trigger.

Money, is not a worthy reason.


As an example, I am sgt in the army, that does NOT however mean I would automaticly go to war if sweden called. It depends on what the war was about.

My grandfather was NOT a soldier, but went to war against hitler.



I get back to my original statement, waging war should NEVER be about money.

[Ironside]

Why do so many nations have problems with letting their citizens become mercenaries? Organizations like Executive Outcomes have done a great job with ending insurgencies in Africa, while Blackwater, despite having its share of problems, has prevented State Department officials from getting killed while in Iraq.

Is it because of ethical issues, or because of other factors like nations wanting to hold onto their trained personnel solely for their own use?

The main problem occurs when the conflict are about to be over. You see, you can be too efficient as a merc... So there's a certain conflict of interest.

Then there is the loyalty issue, as for mercs in general it's perfectly fine switching sides as soon as their contract runs out (and still be considered trustworthy). The old school merc wars had the winning side recruiting troops from the prisoners of the loser.

Third, they're fairly usable as black ops units if they do show preference for certain employers, as in that case they're a bit more reliable, while still more expendable than your own units.

Fourth, trouble handling them in a conflict. If you capture them, are they pow? If they join you, what's their status?

Fifth, they shift the monopoly of violence from the state, to whom can afford them. Spreading use of military force is normally not a good thing.

Sixth, spread of higher quality military training, but that's mostly for the states.

[Centurion1]

Security jobs? Don't believe the hype.

Mercenaries exist to enable brutal dictators to enforce their rule, or help a would-be dictator with his coup.

Hired killers. Nothing more.

blackwater, executive operations, etc. do not put evil dictators into power. They are security guards for high ranking us officials (and on occaison other western nations) They are mostly all retired special forces soldiers. they free up real spec forces for offense but still allow good protection for high risk assets.

You need to stop playing mercenaries. Nillson is not a reality he is a video game character.

[HoreTore]

blackwater, executive operations, etc. do not put evil dictators into power. They are security guards for high ranking us officials (and on occaison other western nations) They are mostly all retired special forces soldiers. they free up real spec forces for offense but still allow good protection for high risk assets.

Pick any coup in africa, and there's a 99% chance that there were mercs involved. Mercs don't do "security jobs" in africa. They're hired to kill. Either by protecting those companies looking to exploit natural resources, a would-be dictator looking to overthrow an opponent or a dictator needing someone to kill his opponents, mercs will almost certainly be involved.

As for Iraq and afghanistan, the problem with mercs there is that they're not bound by conventions, and as such has nothing to do there. They are indeed the "unlawful combatants" you've been putting in gitmo these last years. Military power should remain in the hands of the state alone. If Blackwater is so damn useful in Iraq, and it's not because they can murder as they please without getting caught, then I suggest that the US spend the money they pay blackwater on their own military, in compliance with the geneva convention.

Like every other respectable nation does.

You need to stop playing mercenaries. Nillson is not a reality he is a video game character.

I don't play FPS games

[Centurion1]

As any other respectable nation does

Most western nations use "mercenaries"

Pick any coup in africa, and there's a 99% chance that there were mercs involved. Mercs don't do "security jobs" in africa. They're hired to kill. Either by protecting those companies looking to exploit natural resources, a would-be dictator looking to overthrow an opponent or a dictator needing someone to kill his opponents, mercs will almost certainly be involved.

99% of all coups in africa are caused by "evil" mercenaries, i think not. you are just playing on the stereotype of a mercenary. a man i know. who works for blackwater was just doing a job in Kenya. Hear about any coups there? He was doing a training job for the Kenyan secret service. The vast majority these days are well-trained professionals that handle security.

As to the use of private contractors being a waste of money, i do not think so.

[HoreTore]

99% of all coups in africa are caused by "evil" mercenaries, i think not. you are just playing on the stereotype of a mercenary. a man i know. who works for blackwater was just doing a job in Kenya. Hear about any coups there? He was doing a training job for the Kenyan secret service. The vast majority these days are well-trained professionals that handle security.

Caused by? Now where did I say that? They are not caused by mercs, but they are most certainly involved in nearly all of them in one way or another. Ditto when it comes to exploiting resources.

But no, not every aspect of their business is bad. But the mafia also gave contributions to charity, ya know.

As to the use of private contractors being a waste of money, i do not think so.

So.... The US army is ineffective?