Are mercenaries good or bad? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad <div class="images-v2-count-4"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-30832"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fare-mercenaries-good-or-bad%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Are+mercenaries+good+or+bad%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fare-mercenaries-good-or-bad&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AAre mercenaries good or bad?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="0d4c3cf00f1900474a31d9dad72ce8e3" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/832/for_gallery_v2/lead.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/832/large_v3/lead.jpg" alt="Lead" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-2" id="image-30833"><a class="fancybox" rel="0d4c3cf00f1900474a31d9dad72ce8e3" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/833/for_gallery_v2/hohenfriedeberg-attack-of-prussian-infantry-1745.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/833/thumb_v2/hohenfriedeberg-attack-of-prussian-infantry-1745.jpg" alt="Hohenfriedeberg attack of prussian infantry 1745" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-3" id="image-30834"><a class="fancybox" rel="0d4c3cf00f1900474a31d9dad72ce8e3" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/834/for_gallery_v2/290px-10000-03.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/834/thumb_v2/290px-10000-03.jpg" alt="290px 10000 03" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-4" id="image-30839"><a class="fancybox" rel="0d4c3cf00f1900474a31d9dad72ce8e3" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/839/for_gallery_v2/index.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/839/thumb_v2/index.jpg" alt="Index" /></a></div></div>Mercenaries have been around for thousands of years. They have been used and extolled by some leaders and condemned and decried by others. <br /><br />At their best they offer deniability, they offer loyalty, they offer competence. <br />At their worst they mask atrocities, they betray employers, they are second-rate. <br /><br />On net are mercenaries a good thing? Do they offer a necessary gray area? <br />Are they bad? Diminishing accountability and threatening freedom and liberty? <br /><br />If you have experience feel free to weigh in, if not please read this excellent article from the Atlantic: <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/">http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/</a><br />Or this absolutely outstanding book:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Profession-Thriller-Steven-Pressfield/dp/">http://www.amazon.com/The-Profession-Thriller-Steven-Pressfield/dp/</a> [login to see] <br /><br />Then provide thoughts. <br /> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/010/981/qrc/lead_large.jpg?1443036865"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/">How Mercenaries Are Changing Warfare</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">How private armies, and the technology they use, are changing warfare</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:52:42 -0400 Are mercenaries good or bad? https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad <div class="images-v2-count-4"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-30832"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fare-mercenaries-good-or-bad%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Are+mercenaries+good+or+bad%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fare-mercenaries-good-or-bad&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AAre mercenaries good or bad?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="067b1e631acf0085e724a2002619e814" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/832/for_gallery_v2/lead.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/832/large_v3/lead.jpg" alt="Lead" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-2" id="image-30833"><a class="fancybox" rel="067b1e631acf0085e724a2002619e814" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/833/for_gallery_v2/hohenfriedeberg-attack-of-prussian-infantry-1745.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/833/thumb_v2/hohenfriedeberg-attack-of-prussian-infantry-1745.jpg" alt="Hohenfriedeberg attack of prussian infantry 1745" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-3" id="image-30834"><a class="fancybox" rel="067b1e631acf0085e724a2002619e814" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/834/for_gallery_v2/290px-10000-03.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/834/thumb_v2/290px-10000-03.jpg" alt="290px 10000 03" /></a></div><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-4" id="image-30839"><a class="fancybox" rel="067b1e631acf0085e724a2002619e814" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/839/for_gallery_v2/index.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/030/839/thumb_v2/index.jpg" alt="Index" /></a></div></div>Mercenaries have been around for thousands of years. They have been used and extolled by some leaders and condemned and decried by others. <br /><br />At their best they offer deniability, they offer loyalty, they offer competence. <br />At their worst they mask atrocities, they betray employers, they are second-rate. <br /><br />On net are mercenaries a good thing? Do they offer a necessary gray area? <br />Are they bad? Diminishing accountability and threatening freedom and liberty? <br /><br />If you have experience feel free to weigh in, if not please read this excellent article from the Atlantic: <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/">http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/</a><br />Or this absolutely outstanding book:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Profession-Thriller-Steven-Pressfield/dp/">http://www.amazon.com/The-Profession-Thriller-Steven-Pressfield/dp/</a> [login to see] <br /><br />Then provide thoughts. <br /> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/010/981/qrc/lead_large.jpg?1443036865"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/return-of-the-mercenary/388616/">How Mercenaries Are Changing Warfare</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">How private armies, and the technology they use, are changing warfare</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> Capt Richard I P. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:52:42 -0400 2015-03-25T16:52:42-04:00 Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 25 at 2015 4:56 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551453&urlhash=551453 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think that we would gain benefit as a nation by revitalizing the Constitutional provision for letters of marque and reprisal. SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:56:55 -0400 2015-03-25T16:56:55-04:00 Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 25 at 2015 4:57 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551455&urlhash=551455 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Good in what way? Bad in what way?<br /><br />I like the idea of being able to hire and fire your team, so long as they are properly tracked. Doesn&#39;t Bahrain(?) use a contracted system for their military? CPT Zachary Brooks Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:57:17 -0400 2015-03-25T16:57:17-04:00 Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 25 at 2015 5:14 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551490&urlhash=551490 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How about more of a necessity, companies are out there specialized in doing things (normally at night), "things that don't really happen but that needed to happen"..... CSM Michael J. Uhlig Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:14:08 -0400 2015-03-25T17:14:08-04:00 Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Mar 25 at 2015 5:17 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551499&urlhash=551499 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>hehehehehe had to choose 4 cuz i'm pretty medicated up....I have no problem with mercs, as long as they uphold the same laws of war that I have to. I'll read a lil more once I come out of the coma ;) SSG Leonard Johnson Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:17:04 -0400 2015-03-25T17:17:04-04:00 Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 5:21 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551515&urlhash=551515 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Coming from my vast experience (zilch) I can authoritatively state that a good mercenary can be bad and a bad mercenary can be good. As for whether their existence is good or bad that would be determined by which side of the conflict was looking at them.<br /><br />King John of Evil Fame liked them a lot. PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:21:07 -0400 2015-03-25T17:21:07-04:00 Response by SFC Charles S. made Mar 25 at 2015 5:22 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551519&urlhash=551519 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Merc's have been around since there have been warriors. The only good or bad is in the way they are managed. Those who hire them are their guiding force, if that force is led towards bad, that is the way it will end up. So, the Mercenaries have potential for both. SFC Charles S. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:22:17 -0400 2015-03-25T17:22:17-04:00 Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 25 at 2015 5:24 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551522&urlhash=551522 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>They are an immensely complicated subject. Rather than speak directly to them, let me draw a parallel through metaphor.<br /><br />You are a Home Developer. You are building a new 1000 housing development, inside an already occupied suburban sprawl. You have your primary crew who works for you, and has for years. They do good work, are trustworthy, and their cost is justified.<br /><br />However, there is specialized work that you do not need full time. You hire contractors to do that work. Painters, electricians, plumbers, you name it. You vet these guys, and for the most part you trust them.<br /><br />However, sometimes they need specialized work because these houses had change requests like hot tubs, or sky lights, or whatever. So they hire sub-contractors. You don't know these sub-contractors. Each tier below you, the level of trust &amp; confidence degrades just a little bit more. Additionally, since you are the one paying the final bill, the money has to be made up "somewhere," so the tolerances get looser about what is acceptable.<br /><br />Rules that apply to your guys don't apply to these guys, because you aren't the one directly paying them. You can't fire them because you aren't really their boss, and because their work is so specialized, there is no one to replace them if you did. Cowboy mentality creeps in.<br /><br />Now what does this have to do with us?<br /><br />Well some things we explicitly have to do. Somethings we are expressly prohibited from doing. Private Security firms (aka Mercenaries) fill that niche. They exist because of necessity. Nature abhors a vacuum. Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:24:56 -0400 2015-03-25T17:24:56-04:00 Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 5:32 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551535&urlhash=551535 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Little is it know that we have used them. The most know case of this would be in the War of 1812. Jean Lafitte was a privateer. We pretty much offered him a pardon to fight with us against the British. He did and fought superbly. These guys were pirates. After the battle they were back into being pirates, just not near the US. CPT Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:32:28 -0400 2015-03-25T17:32:28-04:00 Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 25 at 2015 6:20 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551635&urlhash=551635 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I will give bonus points (through upvotes and tags) to the first one to ID all the images and their historical connection to the topic, along with a judgement on their specific "good or badness." Capt Richard I P. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:20:42 -0400 2015-03-25T18:20:42-04:00 Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Mar 25 at 2015 6:27 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551657&urlhash=551657 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is a real can of worms! It all depends on who is running the show. Like Blackwater, recently, they got into big trouble because of loose cannons . With Military Operations, we know who the leaders are but with Private Armies, God only knows. I have utilized, sub-contracted, several of these so called mercenaries and I've always had retired or former Military personal calling the shots. All I know is that some of these so called "guns for hire" guys can be very difficult to keep them in check. It's like a "catch 22" situation. Make sure you know who you are dealing with because you can get caught up into something that you will be sorry for. One thing for sure, there is a whole boat load of money out there to make, but you are responsible for everything that everyone does under your Company's Flag. Sgt David G Duchesneau Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:27:42 -0400 2015-03-25T18:27:42-04:00 Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Mar 25 at 2015 6:35 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551684&urlhash=551684 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It depends on the decade. <br />In the 70-80s they were classified as bad and dark operators. <br />In 2000 they became contractors and the government openly used them and condoned such use. <br /><br />They do not operate under the ucmj so depends on the action of the moment. SGT Joe Sabedra Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:35:55 -0400 2015-03-25T18:35:55-04:00 Response by SGT William Howell made Mar 25 at 2015 7:57 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=551935&urlhash=551935 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have been a soldier, a sailor, and a mercenary. All have had been great experiences. My time as a contractor was very much controlled in our ROEs.<br /><br />I was in Iraq as a soldier when Blackwater was pretty much running unchecked. They really needed to be reigned in. They were not on the same page as the military commanders in the AOs. Not saying they were bad guys just saying there was a disconnect with command and control.<br /><br />As a contractor in Afghanistan we were kept watch on and we worked directly with the military for the same goal. If you could not play ball you were put on a plane home.<br /><br />My time in the Mozambique Straits I worked for the Mozambique government and you just made up the rules as you went along. As long as you were hunting pirates nobody cared what you did on the side. I had to leave because of that. The contractors were as bad as the pirates.<br /><br />My point is that there has to be somebody to hold contractors accountable or or they can get out of control very quickly. SGT William Howell Wed, 25 Mar 2015 19:57:09 -0400 2015-03-25T19:57:09-04:00 Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2015 8:54 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=552052&urlhash=552052 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Completely above my pay grade. Realize it has been an integral part of armies since humans realized that war is a messy business, but I'm cool with staying out of this realm. SGT Private RallyPoint Member Wed, 25 Mar 2015 20:54:54 -0400 2015-03-25T20:54:54-04:00 Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 25 at 2015 9:36 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=552140&urlhash=552140 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I guess it depends on if I&#39;m on their side or not. SSG Robert Burns Wed, 25 Mar 2015 21:36:06 -0400 2015-03-25T21:36:06-04:00 Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 11:47 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=553203&urlhash=553203 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'll let someone much more qualified speak for me: <br /><br />"I say, therefore, that the arms with which a prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy." Niccolo Machiavelli. <br /><br />The bottom line is they are the worst of ways. They do what they do for money. The ones we deal with in the wars in which we have employed them are generally not going to turn for money, because they fight fundamentalists who are xenophobic with no chance of being swayed by giving coin. In a "regular" conflict, I'd show much more distain for them due to their reliance on a contract versus allegiance. Modern mercs are much different that what Machiavelli dealt with, but in the course of politics and war, I'd prefer to deal with Soldiers in my own Army who are equipped and trained well, who have sworn an oath, and who you have something deeper connecting them than money and the fight at hand. COL Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:47:14 -0400 2015-03-26T11:47:14-04:00 Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 26 at 2015 12:10 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=553264&urlhash=553264 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It really depends on how tightly they are controlled. Historically, mercenaries were not well thought of. This is mostly due to how they were paid: with loot. Their contract with the monarch/government usually only covered their Captain's pay and equipment with a bit of trickle down to the soldiers. The soldier's pay came mostly from what they could loot on campaign. So most folks thought of mercenaries as nothing better than state sanctioned bandits.<br /><br />Now, if tightly controlled (like Regulars usually are), mercenaries can give a small country/kingdom the ability to buy an effective combat force in less time and money than it would take to raise one. LTC Paul Labrador Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:10:54 -0400 2015-03-26T12:10:54-04:00 Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 12:53 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=553348&urlhash=553348 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Not the books I've read, but an interesting article nonetheless. There is almost a required niche role for mercenaries most campaigns simply due to the time delay required to train up a sovereign military force for initial small incursions and discrete operations which history has shown are more publicized by normal Soldiers/Sailors/Marines/Airmen than the professional mercenary. LT Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:53:48 -0400 2015-03-26T12:53:48-04:00 Response by MAJ Chris Ballard made Mar 26 at 2015 2:52 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=553739&urlhash=553739 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>They are not necessarily good or bad but a reflection of their leadership and the controls which their contracts place on them. <br /><br />They've been part of every American conflict since the Barbary Pirate wars - even got a line in the Marine Corps Hymn for that one (unless you thought O'Bannon's 8 Marines had a greater effect than the 500 mercenaries they hired) - and they'll continue to be part of every one for the foreseeable future. And the reason they will is because there will always be a need for them, whether it's simple lack of trained bodies or freeing up regulars for other missions or taking advantage of their unofficial status. MAJ Chris Ballard Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:52:00 -0400 2015-03-26T14:52:00-04:00 Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Mar 26 at 2015 7:09 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=554517&urlhash=554517 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>No to mercenaries. PFC Stephen Eric Serati Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:09:11 -0400 2015-03-26T19:09:11-04:00 Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 8:03 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=554683&urlhash=554683 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Given limited off-the-cuff recall of my memory I can only think of a few "renowned" mercenaries. Roman auxiliaries (particularly Thracians) and the complementary forces of Hannibal. <br /><br />More recently the Swiss in service to the French during the Napoleanic era.<br /><br />Arguably much of the Middle Ages was mercenary warfare until the emergence of nation states. <br /><br />The bad: German (Hessian) mercenaries during the Revolutionary War. The local/proxy wars in Africa. CPT Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 26 Mar 2015 20:03:48 -0400 2015-03-26T20:03:48-04:00 Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 26 at 2015 8:33 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=554786&urlhash=554786 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>In Iraq and Afghanistan, we relied very heavily on "armed contractors" for a number of reasons. These include:<br /><br />1) Insufficient manning to complete the mission. With the post Desert Storm drawdown and the switch to a Reserve based force, we don't have enough soldiers. An anecdote: At the DAV NSO in Philly, one of the Service Officers was a Navy ET/SS (Submarine electronics tech). He broke his back in a HMMVW (or whatever the acronym is) with an Army unit. So, I asked him, how does an ET/SS break his back in IQ? He was in the Navy Reserves, and he was activated to serve as a communicator with an Army unit... The need to augment Army and MC units with Navy/AF/CG personnel was a new thing, and had lots of growing pains...<br /><br />2) ROE. Contractors operate outside ROE in large part, so they could be tasked with things our troops couldn't...<br /><br />3) Convenience. Who wants to work in the DFAC when they could be out kicking @$$? So having contractors working these unglamorous jobs freed up more troops for other things (this is a corollary to 1 above of course)...<br /><br />4) Whatever else the commanders wanted done that was messy...<br /><br />If we had properly manned forces and a ROE that allowed our troops to do the mission, we likely would not have needed nearly the number of contractors. I can't say whether it would have been better or worse, because I was not there... LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow Thu, 26 Mar 2015 20:33:23 -0400 2015-03-26T20:33:23-04:00 Response by LTC John Shaw made Mar 26 at 2015 9:13 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=554882&urlhash=554882 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Yes, they are mainly for reasonable purposes. Most mercenaries are Veterans and former soldiers of all services. The US public seems to take the loss of every soldier as one too many for public opinion. With the lack of political will our leaders show, such as in Syria and Iraq, government does not want to disclose use of traditional service forces. The way the work is getting done is contract/mercenary forces. LTC John Shaw Thu, 26 Mar 2015 21:13:41 -0400 2015-03-26T21:13:41-04:00 Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 27 at 2015 12:43 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=555287&urlhash=555287 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Flying Tigers<br />La Légion Étrangère<br />Ghurkas<br />5 Commando<br />4 Commando<br /><br />Nothing new, historically speaking, despite the sensationalistic subtitle.<br /><br />Mercenaries are like the weather -- they're a fact of life, neither inherently good nor inherently bad. 1LT William Clardy Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:43:41 -0400 2015-03-27T00:43:41-04:00 Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 12:08 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=556199&urlhash=556199 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I've seen examples of both good and bad contractors/mercenaries. Attached is a good example of one of the worst. They were suspected of having ties to money launderers and drug traffickers...<br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/a-colombian-merc-firm-was-the-pentagon-s-shadiest-afghanistan-contractor-38be49b01da8">https://medium.com/war-is-boring/a-colombian-merc-firm-was-the-pentagon-s-shadiest-afghanistan-contractor-38be49b01da8</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/011/071/qrc/1*p-MKM-ET42GOoVRLB1N6-w.jpeg?1443037003"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/a-colombian-merc-firm-was-the-pentagon-s-shadiest-afghanistan-contractor-38be49b01da8">A Colombian Merc Firm Was the Pentagon’s Shadiest Afghanistan Contractor — War Is Boring</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">The U.S. military let an allegedly mobbed-up military company take American money … and sensitive information</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> CPT Private RallyPoint Member Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:08:35 -0400 2015-03-27T12:08:35-04:00 Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 27 at 2015 10:17 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=557433&urlhash=557433 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This topic is a mile wide and a mile deep. Mercenaries by the UN definition are bad. Private Military Companies operating under the right contract, under the right extra judicial controls, working at the behest of a sovereign government can be a good thing. If you want to really approach this from an academic, analytical approach you should read (in this order): "Corporate Warriors" by PW Singer; "Civilian Warriors" by Erik Prince. Recommend checking out the documentary "Soldier for Hire", a history channel produced documentary that is a historical primer on the subject including 5 Commando, Mad Mike Hoare, the Seychelles, Executive Outcomes (Blackwater of the 80s), Cofer Black and the Blackwater. Of particular interest to me was the interview segments with Ambassador Black on what can only be seen as a strategic sales pitch on Blackwater. Blackwater Spectre Gunships in CASA212s.<br />- Inbox me if interested in my Naval War College paper on this subject. <br />- until the Peace of Westphalia and the birth of the Nation-State, wars were fought, kingdoms rose and fell on the fate of mercenaries. Most soldiers were mercenaries. The word "Company" actually comes from units of mercenaries fighting for payment in bread.<br />- nations, in particular, our nation has used contractors to offset capability gaps, reduce long term and free up manpower for decisive action<br />- the UN constantly struggles to drum up manning for numerous hand wringing missions. The UN could hire their way into decisive action. Think Rwanda.<br />- a nation could leverage PMCs to offset organic operational incompetence. Google Papua New Guinea-Sandline; Sierra Leone-Executive Outcomes; MPRI-Balkans LTC Jason Mackay Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:17:47 -0400 2015-03-27T22:17:47-04:00 Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 8:04 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=560438&urlhash=560438 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is catch 22 question. It depends for what motives one become mercenary. Doing military work for the pay, or for (misguided or not) morals. Overall I would say it is fine, as long it does not involve breaking the law (as long the law does not outlaw mercenary work though.) SPC Private RallyPoint Member Sun, 29 Mar 2015 20:04:25 -0400 2015-03-29T20:04:25-04:00 Response by CPL Casey Hayes made Apr 4 at 2015 9:20 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=571126&urlhash=571126 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Most contractors are good and have the discipline and professionalism for the job .<br />and the an the few that see it a redemption for not making it in the military or the Rambo<br />wannabe . I spent 5 years I Iraq as a contractor. And met both kind most are good but we are judged on the bad one's. CPL Casey Hayes Sat, 04 Apr 2015 09:20:08 -0400 2015-04-04T09:20:08-04:00 Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 9:37 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=571147&urlhash=571147 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>OPTION FOUR! Haaahahaa, that one was too honest. I love it!<br /><br />As I don't have a whole lot of experience and reading on what you'd classically call mercenaries. But would you consider Military contractors to be mercenaries? If so, then I've had numerous bad experiences with them. Granted they're air traffic controllers in my case, but then black-water also had their own agency ATC and no one disputes that those controllers still counted as mercenaries. SGT Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 04 Apr 2015 09:37:18 -0400 2015-04-04T09:37:18-04:00 Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 4 at 2015 10:20 AM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=571186&urlhash=571186 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Are mercenaries good or bad? First, how specifically are you attempting to define 'mercenaries'? Second, how are you defining 'good' and 'bad'? 'Mercenaries' are as old as war. 'Mercenaries' are people and people can be good and bad. Mercenaries, normally, are skilled professional in the trade of war. As long as people need 'warriors' they will serve a role and purpose. MSG Brad Sand Sat, 04 Apr 2015 10:20:03 -0400 2015-04-04T10:20:03-04:00 Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2015 3:35 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=571602&urlhash=571602 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I technically myself was mercenary. I came to US from Russia at the age of 12 and was still Citizen of Russian Federation (in fact Russian Voenkommat sent me this nice letter calling me up for the Conscript service while I was still in US.), but chose to serve in US Army. Does it make me a bad person? I don't know. Only those who served with me could say so. SPC Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 04 Apr 2015 15:35:10 -0400 2015-04-04T15:35:10-04:00 Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 17 at 2015 10:14 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=675843&urlhash=675843 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The Legacy of Executive Outcomes. Good or bad, you be the judge...<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/11596210/South-African-mercenaries-secret-war-on-Boko-Haram.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/11596210/South-African-mercenaries-secret-war-on-Boko-Haram.html</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/014/106/qrc/_Eeben-Barlow_3299063k.jpg?1443042150"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/11596210/South-African-mercenaries-secret-war-on-Boko-Haram.html">South African mercenaries&#39; secret war on Boko Haram</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">Mercenaries from South Africa have proved quietly decisive in helping the Nigerian military turn around its campaign against Boko Haram, writes Colin Freeman in Abuja</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> LTC Jason Mackay Sun, 17 May 2015 22:14:38 -0400 2015-05-17T22:14:38-04:00 Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 10:39 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=821607&urlhash=821607 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>IMO to better our US Armed Forces we need one Service, 3 branches: Ground, Sea and Special Operations. Large Spec Ops, Small AD, Small Reserve, NG CONUS ops only! CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Thu, 16 Jul 2015 22:39:47 -0400 2015-07-16T22:39:47-04:00 Response by LCpl Timothy McCain made Apr 12 at 2016 12:46 PM https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-mercenaries-good-or-bad?n=1448372&urlhash=1448372 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don't know. However I would like to talk about something else that has the ability to positively affect all veterans. That is the "American Heroes COLA Act of 2015" this bill will make the Cost of living adjustment automatic based upon the consumer price index increase. However it has been hard to get it passed because not enough veterans are paying attention and voicing their support for the bill. So you may be wondering how can you make a difference in passing the bill? Veterans are the most powerful voting block and when they come together in support of an issue the house and Senate listens. So what is the disposition of the bill? At the moment it sitting in the Veterans oversight committee in the Senate awaiting for them to take it up. So can you do? We every veteran to call, write, and email the members of the oversight committee. I've done it and have had great discussionofficeSenator Tillis about it. However it seems that more pressure is needed to get the committee chairs to bring the bill up for a vote that's why we need you to make your voices heard. Once we get it out of committee then what? While you contact the committee members we want you to contact your Senator office by calling, writing, and email to ask that they support the bill and they offer three amendments to the bill once it's brought to the floor. The first would give veterans a 25% pay increase unrelated to Cost of living. The second one would allow the VA to pay Quality Of life payments to veterans who are 60% or more disabled by using the secondary disability scale making awards proportional to the veterans disability rating. The final amendment would allow the VA to make maximum pension payments to any veteran that a service connected disability rating of 100% or permanent and total disabled that not receiving any military retirement. Back dated to the original award date of 100% for maximum of three years. After the bill passes the Senate is it over? No, it will go to the house for final approval. So what then? Each veteran would need to contact their Congressman ask them to support the bill and all its amendments. How long will it take to get to the President's desk? If we work together on this we can get their before the month end. Can any of the amendments take immediate effect after the President signs the bill into law? Yes, but you have to request they be written that way. LCpl Timothy McCain Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:46:38 -0400 2016-04-12T12:46:38-04:00 2015-03-25T16:52:42-04:00