What does "PARA" mean in paramilitary groups?

Question

Are they part of the govt military or private military groups? I always hear the term in the news and stuff like that. Are they the bad guys or good.

If they are part of the military why dont they just call them military group?

So paralitary groups are not part of the regular govt military. So whats the difference between them and a mercenary group?

Answer 1

They are not part of the official governement military.

Para means the same as semi (think paralegal).

Sometiems they're bad and sometimes their good. Depends on you persepctive.

MMMM mercenary groups tend to be less organized and more about killign anybody they can. Like guerillas.

Paramilitary groups tend to be more organized and are generally fighting the government of the country.

hehehe it hapens-i've done the same ting sometimes (the non-copying copying)

Answer 2

Para-military forces are roughly in between the governments police and the military.
Para-military forces are there to support the police since they have heavier weapons.Such as machine guns,assault rifles and grenades.But, unlike the military they do not have heavier weapons such as tanks,artillery,heavy aircraft.
Para-military groups on the other hand are a different subject.These groups are illegal or in some cases tolerated.The government being unable or unwilling to control them.For example,the right-wing para-military group opposed to the Marxist FARC rebels in Colombia is not part of the government.But in the former Yugoslavia, the "MILICIA",the para-military police force was used against the civilian population in Bosnia and Kosovo was part of the Serbian gov't.
The closest thing to a paramilitary group in this country is your local SWAT team.And similar groups in the FBI,DEA,BATF etc.
Whether they are good or bad I leave up to you.
NOTE:The term "MILICIA"(militia) has a different meaning in Eastern Europe than it does in the West.Militia refers to their police forces.Unlike in the US it refers to a group of armed citizens.(right-wing usually).Which was the police force back then since the modern concept of the police force we know today didn't start till just over 200 years ago.

Answer 3

A para military group is a unit that isn't part of the regular military but has military like units, tactics and missions. It's not part of the military. Some are "good guys" and some are "bad guys."

Answer 4

Okay. Simply saying, the "Para" means "in the middle" in the military term.

In other words, the "Para-military" means it is the armed organization, existing in between the military and police.

French "Gendameire" is an excellent example.

Usually they are not heavily armed, and act as a "stronger force than police, but weaker than the military" (often act as a reinforcement of the police).

But the degree of there arming / roles are greatly differed by the nations.

Answer 5

A para military group is usually used to mean a group of armed civilians - usually self armed and self trained. They usually have an agenda - Think White power groups.

Mercenaries are a private group - usually ex military who are for hire. They work for the money. Think Blackwater

Answer 6

They are not part of the official governement.Para means the same as semi (paralegal).Sometiems they're bad and sometiems their good. Depends.

Answer 7

para is the latin term for beside.