The Mercenary Alliance

StrategyPage.com ^ | April 12, 2004:

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I disagree with the characterization of American contract security professionals in Iraq as mercenaries. Almost all of these people are prior service, many former Special Forces, Ranger, and SEAL Team operators. If they were true mercenaries, they would change sides and work for the Baathists/Sadr Militia/Hezbollah/Iranians/Syrians/Jihadis if those pukes offered more money. I do not believe any American security professional in Iraq has done that, and I doubt any will.

Other than that, I found it an interesting article.

Thousands of Iraqis are working for various Iraqi and foreign security firms, protecting property and making commerce and industry possible. Perhaps we will see private enterprise step in to accomplish what the ICDC cannot.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[leadpenny]

Good news bump. Thanks for the ping.

[Khurkris]

Semantics used by an outsider.

This is truly an interesting development.

I agree that this increase the professional response to security issues. With this comes their need to vet any group wishing to enter this theatre.

How many Gov'ts will sanction and cooperate with this? How will the Hague view this? What stance will UN and its affiliate agencies take? Will NGO's accept and cooperate with this alliance?
And very important - How will the Iraqis react to this force coming into existence in their country?

Lots of questions. Good Luck Lads!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Two of the three battalions of the new Iraqi army was brought in to perform security in parts of Fallujah where the gunmen had been cleared out. One of those battalions refused to enter the city. Some of the troops said they "would not fight Iraqis." This was described as a "command failure," meaning that the Iraqi officers were not up to the task of leading and motivating their troops. This has long been a problem with Iraqi troops and it is recognized that selecting and training competent Iraqi officers will be a major task.

Imagine instead of this kind of battalion a private enterprise private military company of about 800 to 1000 men, with the other ranks mixed, integrated squads of Kurd, Shia and Sunni Iraqis, the noncommissioned officers Jordanian, Indian, Fijian and Gurkha, and the commissioned officers American, British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, Polish, Italian, Spanish and Chilean, all the leadership personnel with extensive military backgrounds.

Another idea would be to hire ex- US Special Forces operators to organize, train and lead Mike Forces recruited from indigenous personnel.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Meyer & Associates

Iraq– Operating as a Private Military Company we provide complete security & protection services for government organizations and private sector companies including executive protection, bodyguards, security guards and all risk management components. Transportation: 4x4 SUV’s, sedans, armored vehicles and aircraft charters.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Triple Canopy

We provide protective details for many US government officials and site security services for US Government facilities throughout Iraq. The CPA, DOD, PMO and other US Government organizations have placed their trust in Triple Canopy to safeguard their key personnel and sites.

Private enterprise Triple Canopy convoy escort/MSR security

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Blackwater Security Consultants

MOBILE SECURITY TEAMS

BSC also provides services through our Mobile Security Teams. These teams are comprised of former operators primarily from the ranks of the US special operations and intelligence communities. Blackwater Mobile Security Teams stand ready to be deployed around the world with little notice in support of US national security objectives, private or foreign interests.

PROTECTIVE SOLUTIONS

Whether the need is domestic or global, BSC can provide experienced close protection specialists, security drivers or a full protective detail for any threat scenario, whether low or high-risk.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Vinnell did not cover themselves with glory training the ICDC

[swarthyguy]

Not mercs, but Janissaries.

Dedicated, nongovt tools of a govt.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Why Mercenaries Make Sense

If you can speak English (which is the common language of international business) and have at least five years military experience in the appropriate area (military police, special operations and so on), you are recruitable. The standard offer is two to three times what you made as a full time soldier, plus fringe benefits. Even experienced police are being recruited, especially if they have SWAT experience.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Military annals reveal few organizations whose history is more extraordinary than that of the corps of the Janizaries, which for nearly five hundred years constituted the backbone of the armed forces of the Ottoman Empire. Not only was it the first true infantry of modern times, but the method by which its ranks were filled was unique.

[swarthyguy]

Using captured Christians then associated with a Derwish cleric raises interesting questions for today.

It is an amazingly fascinating history.

Of course, the British used Muslim, Hindu and Christians from the SubContinent to control their Empire, from Ethiopia to Khartoum to Iraq 1920 to Somme, Flanders and El Alamein.

I think we got our modernday Janissaries by bringing back Baathi Generals to run the Iraki army, as mentioned by Abizaid and Sanchez today.

News is the best out of there.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ProRev: U.S. Hiring Mercenaries For Iraq

[cavtrooper21]

Man... the moose-limbs, Dimnocrats and the U(seless) N(imwits) would crap kittens.
...because it would more than likely work.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The Temps of War: Blue-Collar Workers Ship Out for Iraq

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Took a long time, but I finally found this post which links to various indigenous military and constabulary forces.

[Travis McGee]

The "mercenary" characterization pisses me off too. Their paychecks are signed by the same Uncle Sam who signs Private Snuffy's green paycheck. They would not work for the other side for more money. They are NOT mercenaries!