Why are the private security forces, like Blackwater, called "Contractors" and not "Mercenaries"?

Answer 1

A fine distinction, to be sure. They're contractors largely because they're American companies contracted to the American government. That said, many (if not most of them) do fall under the most literal, traditional definitions of mercenary soldiers. Either way you cut it, it's absoulutely absurd that we have to employ them owning to the government's refusal to increase the size of the US forces to meet the mission.

Answer 2

Blackwater provides SECURITY, whereas MERCENARIES kill people...there's a monstrosity of a difference. What the public doesn't understand is that Blackwater is a public company, so they wouldn't be used as MERCENARIES because the public would never approve of it. The mercenaries that ARE employed work for companies and groups that aren't disclosed to the public, because the public doesn't have a NEED to know any of this information. So much is done in the background of the war that most people couldn't sleep at night if they understood all of it. Just appreciate that fact that you don't have to be scared to walk out in your yard for fear of snipers that you can't even see...then you'll understand why somethings done to protect you are better left unsaid in public earshot.

Answer 3

Wars are couched in more soothing terms because part of fighting a war is political and moral, as well as military in nature.

So dead soldiers are called "the fallen" and mercenaries are called "contractors".

The Blackwater people are paid very well, specifically to perform "defensive" duties, which means shooting and killing the same people our army shoots and kills.

Some contractors even perform logistical and intelligence duties during military operations.

it is true they don't as whole units launch offensives, but other than that, you have to call a spade a spade. The hair-splitting in these answers you see from defenders of the word "contractor" begin to sound hollow and strained, don't you think?

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck.

And it's $20 billion bucks for Halliburton in the Big Picture---KA-CHING!

Answer 4

Blackwater IS referred to as a mercenary force just about every day, but not by any legitimate source...

The term in popular with those who are pushing an emotional agenda rather than actual fact.

Answer 5

Mercenary is someone paid to go out, engage the enemy and fight a war for you. Thats not what contractors are doing.

Security Contractors do things like protect convoys that carry supplies, they train iraqi police, and protect VIPs. Their job is to protect things, hence the term security contractor, and is also why they are armed, since they come under regular attack by insurgents who want to disrupt the reconstruction of the country.

Answer 6

There called Contractors and not Mercenaries because they are Contractors and not Mercenaries!!

Blackwater and other organizations are employed to provide security and other similar tasks.

Mercenaries on the other hand are employed to fight.

Answer 7

Because they signed a contract to perform certain services. If you personally feel compelled to call them mercenaries because that would help you meet some political agenda go ahead. However, I do believe that historicaly mercenaries got a "piece of the action" for fighting on one side or the other. Therefore, "mercenaries" were often not paid.

Answer 8

Mercenaries are usually hired to go out and fight for someone, while Blackwater only sits on their a#$$ and plays soldier, screws up, and gets way way over paid, therefore they are called contractors.
And I am sure if you follow the paper trail, you will find Haliburton involved somewhere along the line.

Answer 9

So people like you who have been brainwashed by th New York Times are in a perpetual state of confusion.

Answer 10

It sounds better to Joe Public.