I support their right to exist, to train persons in self-defense, to contract to government to help train their soldiers, to contract to governments to serve and protect the nation's interests. I DON'T support the United States of America using these mercenaries. It's one thing for an unstable government fighting rebels to contract out to these people, but it's totally different when my country, which hardly fits the term "unstable" and has the best trained and best equipped military in the world, is using these organizations. From what I have seen Blackwater has been abusing its powers and if the above story in the first post is true they need to pack it up and get the f*** out of there. Blackwater is essentially a guest of the United States in Iraq, they remain in country at our pleasure and if Blackwater really is abusing their posers to such great extents their contracts need to be revoked and it'd be nice to see some legal action taken against Blackwater. Perhaps we can't get them for anything in Iraq, but I bet they are doing SOMETHING wrong at any one of their many training facilities.

Of course the insurgents would never dream of trying to pass themselves of as American soldiers, well it is not the done thing. The Security companies are providing a lot support one way or another and keeping the collation soldiers out of harms way, or is the person suggesting that all this work should be carried out by the American military.

I think that companies like Blackwater are necessary evils. Carrying out the orders of their commanding officers, fighting insurgents, and protecting diplomats should be left to the US military. Protection of businesses and journalists should be left up to the discretion of those companies who in turn could hire mercenaries (Blackwater). The US military should not have to protect journalists and contractors when they have bigger things to worry about. If companies and the media want that untapped market or that big story, they have to protect their own employees themselves. Ex-military or not, employees of companies like Blackwater are mercenaries/hired goons straight up. They do not answer to the President anymore, only to money.

What they did to the small group of US soldiers is inexcusable. That is borderline treason IMHO and should be punished with some major prison time. I find it even more appalling that the US soldiers surrendered their weapons and complied.

ASTRALdragon has a point about these companies being hired to protect journalists and whatnot, but I believe that is the only capacity in which they should exist, and only with government issued licenses backed by strict limitations on when and how they can use force. Their legal use of weapons should be very much similar to gun self defense laws at home.
As for taking on military operations, that must go to the military which is accountable for its actions to both government and the public.
Blackwater and the like, for what they have done should be destroyed. If those guys love their jobs so much, they should have stayed in the military where they're needed in both times of war and peace. Once that organization is closed, they better enjoy greeting old ladies at Wal Mart with that permanently holstered Glock they're never going to use.
Laws restraining the military should be relaxed. This is one lesson we can learn from mercenaries. They've been brought into the spotlight because the military has had its hands and feet tied.

My opinion doesn't matter. The electoral college ensures that it doesn't and neither does anyone else's. The only opinions that matter belong to the privileged few who don't frequent forums, they're too busy running countries.

Man... we suck!

It is my opinion that wars should be fought by the military and that any other armed personnel should be treated as just that, armed civilians. They are not under the control of the military, but it should be made very obvious that they are only armed civilians and as such, are subject to any lawful order given by the military in the performance of their duties.

Extraterritoriality, that is the root problem here and it hearkens back to the days of the opium wars. A gift handed down to us by Ol Blighty that the US military has used to protect its troops in every country we have ever set foot in. If you don't know what it is kiddos educate yourself. I know Spike and the other vets on here know what I'm talking about. Our troops and the contractors working for our government by extension have this in effect. As such you are hoping that leaders will do the right thing (virtue ethics) as a system of law that would punish transgressions does not apply. Since the US like other children of the Empire has a system of common law it would be a dangerous precedent to remove this blessing of extraterritoriality from our contractors as it would set a precedent for removing said protection from our troops as well.

The only cure to the PMCs and PSCs is to return to mandatory national service.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

The only cure to the PMCs and PSCs is to return to mandatory national service.

How does the forum feel about that?

Originally Posted by Del Boy

How does the forum feel about that?

uck


bugger that, i would rather have a well trained bunch of dedicated career soldiers, than a bunch of layabouts who are only their because they are too dumb to think of a way out of it.

mercenaries are an unknown quantity in almost any situation....sure blackwater & co may bleat on about ex SEALS,SAS and green berets on their payroll...but there aren't too many of those types in circulation.

so my figure put the vast majority of mercs in the category of adventure junkies, bloodlusters and washouts.

as i said to P80 a couple of times, if you want to serve your country, join the military...if you want to serve yourself & your wallet...become a merc

i agree with senorjekips view that merc's should be treated as civilians with guns whenever they are encountered.