Mercenaries

[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.

[Kadagar_AV]

depends, Beskar.

Are you talking USA or world wide?



Also, in the USA the mercs have done combat ops, in some situations even leading troops from regular army.

They also have been contracted to torture people.

[HoreTore]

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

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.

[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.

[miotas]

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

All the ads for the defence force here emphasise the good pay and free education. Dying for your country is never mentioned. the mindset of the youth here in relation to the army is;
"Possibility of death for my country? @#$% that!"
"Possibility of death for lots of money and free education? *stops and thinks for a minute* a few say yes, most still say @#$% that!"

[Papewaio]

All the ads for the defence force here emphasise the good pay and free education. Dying for your country is never mentioned. the mindset of the youth here in relation to the army is;
"Possibility of death for my country? @#$% that!"
"Possibility of death for lots of money and free education? *stops and thinks for a minute* a few say yes, most still say @#$% that!"

You more or less get a free education in Australia anyhow and most jobs out pay the army for the same conditions (mining).

[Lord Winter]

History has proven that mercenaries will stab you in the back the miniute things go south. You can talk about ethics all you want but in the end there not viable anyway.

[Brenus]

Mercenaries: Can be useful in dirty jobs? Not really because if the Big Authority, the only one which has the legal right to use violence, gives the Green Light, some special squad would do the jobs…
The only use of mercenaries is to hind the casualties…

You do not join the Army or sign for modern mercenaries for the same reasons. One is for ideological and the second for money (Iraq), boredom, need of adrenaline and others…

Then what laws apply to mercenaries? Geneva is caught prisoner, Common law if they kill some body? Or no law at all, random law depending the case, the employer, circumstances etc…
What if they change side? Mercenaries can do this. You can change employers, giving your notice then do to the other side… Would be it betraying? Or just usual and common employment rules? In some jobs you can’t apply to a similar post in concurrent companies for a certain amount of time (e.g. if you know clients).

[LittleGrizzly]

Deniabilty...

Mercenaries help provide this for rich nations bound by silly and unfair rules... I don't want this available to them...