Mercs in Iraq

[Heibges]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19256869/

The article says there are 20,000 to 30,000 private security contractors in Iraq. I wonder what percentage of those are "shooters" and how many are support personel.

I would think they have a much higher ratio of shooters to support than in the regular military? That could be like a couple of divisions of infantry?

[Chock]

Well, if it's anything like the domestic security industries, the quality of the personnel will vary wildy.

A private security firm can be anything from an ex-con with a Van and a mangy old German shepherd dog, to a professional company aimed at guarding at-risk VIPs and comprising a bunch of ex-special forces on its roster (I do know a couple of people who do that incidentally).

But one would imagine the typical average mercenary is probably some ex-squaddie with an AK-47, hanging around Mogadishu with a chip on his shoulder, ready to sign up for any old tin-pot outfit. And let's face it, that's a career path that is definitely going to attract its fair share of nutters and dreamers.

Chock

[Boris]

I don't really know much about mercs... I mean I know about them, just I don't know any mercs. But I do imagine that there would be alot of nutters and crazies who love guns and just want to get some kills. The kind of guys any self respecting Army would have rejected. When I think of a merc, I think of some thug without a moral conscience and an itchy trigger finger.
Plus mercs are probably the worst type of soldier, because they don't fight for a cause, they fight for money... thus lack proper morals (which I suppose could be a good soldier in someone's eyes?). Just what I imagine, I might be wrong... just the stereotype I have in my mind is all

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by Boris

I don't really know much about mercs... I mean I know about them, just I don't know any mercs. But I do imagine that there would be alot of nutters and crazies who love guns and just want to get some kills. The kind of guys any self respecting Army would have rejected. When I think of a merc, I think of some thug without a moral conscience and an itchy trigger finger.
Plus mercs are probably the worst type of soldier, because they don't fight for a cause, they fight for money... thus lack proper morals (which I suppose could be a good soldier in someone's eyes?). Just what I imagine, I might be wrong... just the stereotype I have in my mind is all

You are, totally wrong. Most are ex military, professionals, i know one guy who left to Baghdad this year. They are no crazy killers and most probably have better morals than majority of people. And its better to refer to them as security contractors to their face, that merc title will get them really mad.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Chock

Well, if it's anything like the domestic security industries, the quality of the personnel will vary wildy.

A private security firm can be anything from an ex-con with a Van and a mangy old German shepherd dog, to a professional company aimed at guarding at-risk VIPs and comprising a bunch of ex-special forces on its roster (I do know a couple of people who do that incidentally).

But one would imagine the typical average mercenary is probably some ex-squaddie with an AK-47, hanging around Mogadishu with a chip on his shoulder, ready to sign up for any old tin-pot outfit. And let's face it, that's a career path that is definitely going to attract its fair share of nutters and dreamers.

Chock

Not really. I "knew" some guys like this ten years ago, they were British, and in the ME. Mercs today are mostly specialised ex-soldiers of great military experience and competence. If anything varies than the quality of the moral business standards of the mercenary companies, but in general the business functions according to "money is money, no matter who pays it". Mercs often receive assistance from regular army units of their nation of origin, if needed, however they often are very well equipped themselves, their companies are effectively running private armies. since they often are used in high-risk areas, body-guarding and local guarding duties (oil fields in special), their payment can be impressive. I was told that ten years ago it ranged from 500 to 10.000 pounds - per day. The real high sums of course only for the very very specialists in planning and operation control. such guys can make the difference. In Africa it is said that a well-trained, experienced western merc with command experience can be of equal value like one local infantry batallion.

What is a questionable trend is that more and more often the Pentagon is outsourcing local operations to private agencies, and the outcourcing of military capacities in general. This not only reduces costs, it also reduces congressional control over the military and according policies - and I am convinced that this is the real intention behind the outsourcing process. Effectively it builds an army that will act by order of the american state, while the state at the same time cannot legally be held responsible for the acts of war such an army is commiting. By that, America can wage a war without being accused to do so, and the political control - as intended by the system of checks and balances - is prevented and is switched off. The legal situation in the US is such that it also cannot be demanded to check into the internal procedures and practices of such companies, for private business is protected against that. So when a merc army is doing something somewhere by order of the US government, the US can always say: it is not our responesebility, it is their private business, we cannot force them to reveal the identity of their customer, and his intentions. That way, Amnerican interests can be enforced by the use of military force without the US being held responsible for the policy ordering that action.

One main scene for such action is South America, and especially the socalled war on drugs in Columbia. Private enterprises from the US have a very massive interest in that area, and need the place cleaned from the local guerillas for that reason. The growing hostitlity towards Chavez also needs to be seen in the light of private companies trying to bring the region under control - it is not only his behavior as a socialist dictator, but he is a real threat to american attempts to strengthen their dominance in all south America. Especially BioTech and Pharmaceutical companies have a strong agenda, concenring the amazonas region.

The merc system that the Pentagon establishes reminds of the British bucaneers that attacked and robbed French and Spanish ships without France and Spain being able to hold Britain officially responsible for this war that was waged against them. Practical!

Happy Times is right that you should not adress most of them as mercanaries, however, that is because they want to hide their nature from themselves. Because a soldier who is fighting for everybody who provides him enoiugh money is as a matter of fact a mercenary, and that is what they are. but it is nicer to live with the illusion one is the guadian of the holy grail, instead of being a mercenary "only". However, I talked to one British merc who was honstely enough to admit that by what he is doing to make a living, he perfectly fits the definition of being a mercenary. So, it depends on how narcissistic the ego of the man is you are talking to!

[Boris]

Originally Posted by Happy Times

You are, totally wrong. Most are ex military, professionals, i know one guy who left to Baghdad this year. They are no crazy killers and most probably have better morals than majority of people. And its better to refer to them as security contractors to their face, that merc title will get them really mad.

Yeah, I know... I was just ranting on about stereotypes perpetuated by media and mainstream culture. Probably why mercs don't like being called mercs.

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by Boris

Yeah, I know... I was just ranting on about stereotypes perpetuated by media and mainstream culture. Probably why mercs don't like being called mercs.

Sorry, missed that. You painted the picture so well.

[Heibges]

With the end of the Cold War, and the shrinking of most armies, you had a lot of very qualified folks without work. Or guys that didn't complete the requirements (BNCOC, ANCOC etc) to get promoted, or officers that just did a few years of active duty.