What do you think of privately owned mercenary forces like Blackwater?

Question

Forces like this are used in Iraq. Although they are not part of any branch of the armed services

Answer 1

First, as long as what they do is legal and not against US forces, who cares?

Second, many/most of the "mercs" in Blackwater are former US military who are often doing almost the same job for the same ultimate employer (US Government contracts) but for more pay and with more latitude in day-to-day action. Hell, some of those guys may even be receiving US Government retirement checks.

Third, how different are these guys functionally than the Wackenhutt Corporation security guards guarding nuclear power plants, the private armed security guarding various federal buildings, or any other private contractor of the government?

Answer 2

I just love the posts in the forum concerning mercenary units. I have seen maybe three out the thousands that display any truth, understanding or hands on experience. First of all, Blackwater is an independent company, hired by PRIVATE industry for MANY different service needs. One of those needs is to provide armed security. Not offensive military operations. That is just not done, and if it were tried, most likely they mercs would get their butts blown to kingdom come by US A-10s and Apache gun ships. Military ops in a war theater are the sole purview of the MILITARY. Mercs may provide armed escorts and the like, but they do not want or seek out combat.

I worked for the largest and most sophisticated merc unit ever created, 1970-1973, it was known by a number of names, but all the divisions were CIA creations, I was in what was called SOG, and we were considered part of the RLA. (RLA = Royal Laotian Army) and had no real connection with the US Military.

Answer 3

To call Blackwater employees mercenaries denotes that you either don't understand the definition of mercenary or don't understand what Blackwater does.

To imply that mercenaries operations are all negative denotes that you don't know the historical significance of their use.

To imply that those operations are more expensive than normal military operations denotes you have ignored "Executive Outcomes" and it's successor "Sandline's" use in Sierra Leone. Less than 200 of them on a small budget brought peace to a country that 10,000 UN troops on a large budget could not. Hmmm. Perhaps the UN should start hiring them.

Answer 4

I think it works like to end the problems with the blood diamond trade in Africa, then the worthless U.N said you could not use mercenary forces because they dont have to follow the rules of combat, (you know, the same ones our enemies dont follow, and the reason 95% of our troops have died) You cant fight a non conventional war with a conventional army. and unfortuantaly our guys pay the price for that. Blackwater, with the SEALS, Force Recon, Delta, and Rangers should just be turned loose for about 6 months

Answer 5

I think Blackwater and other companies like it are great, I was about to apply for it but instead re-enlisted(yikes!) Blackwater may be called mercs and such but really they are just ballsy mo-fo's who are guards to important people and important buildings, and drive Fords down the streets. I think if they are doing stuff the US military dosnt want to do, but paying much better, let them. Why do people have a problem with that? Is it keeping YOU up at night??

Answer 6

Isn't this actually the one good use of outsourcing? If private companies want to go in there and do the fighting and dying, then God bless them. It's the ultimate volunteer force.

People complain all the time about the men and women of our military being in harm's way, so let Blackwater do it.

Answer 7

Umm, yep. particular forces will constantly have a place in any conflict, via actuality, in all honesty, the extensive-unfold soldier would not comprehend crap. For any project that is composed of asking questions interior the previous taking photos, or taking photos with out having shot, particular forces are in many circumstances used. additionally, via actuality the authorities can in difficulty-unfastened words furnish over a super variety of respected protection tension troops, there will be weapons for hire... yet are they actually mercenaries any further than the mall protection take care of is a mercenary? i advise he gets employed to hold a gun around too. have you ever stopped and asked your self what the authorities could surely stand to learn with the aid of using prolonging the conflict in Iraq? gas expenses are actually not likely on plenty, scores are actually not likely up plenty, and the financial gadget isn't improving all that properly...

Answer 8

If there's a market for it, why not. These people are hired, to a great extent, as body guards for high government officials, and for many other security activities. By offering these services, the US government is not directly involved either for the cost or the responsibility for keeping the subjects safe.

I believe contractors, such as this, are part of the solution to many problems. Plus, it offers great wages to former military types who haven't had enough.

Answer 9

Ha, most people in the Armed Forces couldn't even make it through Blackwater training.

Answer 10

My thoughts on companies like blackwater, they are bad ***. They have no rules of engagement and don't have to adbide by the geneva conventions. Pretty much the can do whatever they want without having to worry about the legal ramifications that soldiers do.