Under what circumstances would you become a Mercenary?

[Vault101]

You make this sound hypothetical, when it's actually my plan. I'm gonna go into armed security once I hit 21, get enough experience there for a private military company to hire me, and done.

Or, if I knew for sure that there was a Far Cry 2 situation (i.e. people sitting in a bar waiting to get hired) then I'd be out there once I had the money for a gun and plane ticket.

what about Morality issues? Is it possible you may have to go out and do somthing your not okay with?

I guess though thease days (I dont know much about world affiars) its not that different from the regular army morality wise

Of course it's possible, but it can also happen in the military. Great thing about the private sector is if you don't sign a contract with a predetermined amount of time, you can just quit your job if you don't like it.

The armed forces aren't full of highly moral patriots, by the way. A good number are just there for a steady job, some are gangsters who want to take military training back to their gang, and some are in gangs within the military. I'll at least be honest and admit I'll go fight for the paycheck, not wave a flag around and make it look like that's why I'm out there.

well of coarse, there are all kinds of reasons people join the military (naive to think its all about patriotism)

but gangs "within" the military? hwo would that work? would it be more you know camaraderie and matching tatoos?

and that sounds kinda scary...trained gangsta's...youd think mabye the military would show them that mabyw gangta'ing isnt the way to go....ah hell what do I know?

 

[Jedoro]

You make this sound hypothetical, when it's actually my plan. I'm gonna go into armed security once I hit 21, get enough experience there for a private military company to hire me, and done.

Or, if I knew for sure that there was a Far Cry 2 situation (i.e. people sitting in a bar waiting to get hired) then I'd be out there once I had the money for a gun and plane ticket.

what about Morality issues? Is it possible you may have to go out and do somthing your not okay with?

I guess though thease days (I dont know much about world affiars) its not that different from the regular army morality wise

Of course it's possible, but it can also happen in the military. Great thing about the private sector is if you don't sign a contract with a predetermined amount of time, you can just quit your job if you don't like it.

The armed forces aren't full of highly moral patriots, by the way. A good number are just there for a steady job, some are gangsters who want to take military training back to their gang, and some are in gangs within the military. I'll at least be honest and admit I'll go fight for the paycheck, not wave a flag around and make it look like that's why I'm out there.

well of coarse, there are all kinds of reasons people join the military (naive to think its all about patriotism)

but gangs "within" the military? hwo would that work? would it be more you know camaraderie and matching tatoos?

and that sounds kinda scary...trained gangsta's...youd think mabye the military would show them that mabyw gangta'ing isnt the way to go....ah hell what do I know?

One of my criminal justice teachers in college was an MP for over 20 years, and he mentioned the military gangs, talked about them like they're just another street gang but actually in the military.

You study the reasons people join gangs, a lot of them feel indebted to the gang and want to give something back, so the ones without records enlist and teach their gang how to fight their enemies better. They're not the types who want to make a career out of the military, they just want to learn and get back home.

Oh, and I just remembered your post on if women could be mercs. In John Geddes' Highway To Hell, he actually mentions a handful of female contractors. I haven't read it in a while, so I can't remember what their backgrounds were, but it is possible. He's an ex-SAS operative who was basically an independent contractor (PMC not working for a company) in Iraq around 2004.

 

[Panorama]

world peace declared and i still get paid!

 

[Crazy Zaul]

Upon waking up and finding I somehow now have the physique required to be one.

 

[Vault101]

You make this sound hypothetical, when it's actually my plan. I'm gonna go into armed security once I hit 21, get enough experience there for a private military company to hire me, and done.

Or, if I knew for sure that there was a Far Cry 2 situation (i.e. people sitting in a bar waiting to get hired) then I'd be out there once I had the money for a gun and plane ticket.

what about Morality issues? Is it possible you may have to go out and do somthing your not okay with?

I guess though thease days (I dont know much about world affiars) its not that different from the regular army morality wise

Of course it's possible, but it can also happen in the military. Great thing about the private sector is if you don't sign a contract with a predetermined amount of time, you can just quit your job if you don't like it.

The armed forces aren't full of highly moral patriots, by the way. A good number are just there for a steady job, some are gangsters who want to take military training back to their gang, and some are in gangs within the military. I'll at least be honest and admit I'll go fight for the paycheck, not wave a flag around and make it look like that's why I'm out there.

well of coarse, there are all kinds of reasons people join the military (naive to think its all about patriotism)

but gangs "within" the military? hwo would that work? would it be more you know camaraderie and matching tatoos?

and that sounds kinda scary...trained gangsta's...youd think mabye the military would show them that mabyw gangta'ing isnt the way to go....ah hell what do I know?

One of my criminal justice teachers in college was an MP for over 20 years, and he mentioned the military gangs, talked about them like they're just another street gang but actually in the military.

You study the reasons people join gangs, a lot of them feel indebted to the gang and want to give something back, so the ones without records enlist and teach their gang how to fight their enemies better. They're not the types who want to make a career out of the military, they just want to learn and get back home.

Oh, and I just remembered your post on if women could be mercs. In John Geddes' Highway To Hell, he actually mentions a handful of female contractors. I haven't read it in a while, so I can't remember what their backgrounds were, but it is possible. He's an ex-SAS operative who was basically an independent contractor (PMC not working for a company) in Iraq around 2004.

well in that case I might grab my earplugs and hair strightener and enlist!

ha but seriously I was just curious about "miltitay" gangs because I cant image how much "gangsta" stuff they could get up to, being within the confines of the military

then again I guess its always possible to do some illigal activiy on the side

 

[Fragged_Templar]

Firstly I'd need to start caring... Secondly I'd need a cause (not necessarily connected to my missions)... but after that happens, its just a matter of getting paid... and free ammo would be nice, but is entirely optional

 

[Jedoro]

You make this sound hypothetical, when it's actually my plan. I'm gonna go into armed security once I hit 21, get enough experience there for a private military company to hire me, and done.

Or, if I knew for sure that there was a Far Cry 2 situation (i.e. people sitting in a bar waiting to get hired) then I'd be out there once I had the money for a gun and plane ticket.

what about Morality issues? Is it possible you may have to go out and do somthing your not okay with?

I guess though thease days (I dont know much about world affiars) its not that different from the regular army morality wise

Of course it's possible, but it can also happen in the military. Great thing about the private sector is if you don't sign a contract with a predetermined amount of time, you can just quit your job if you don't like it.

The armed forces aren't full of highly moral patriots, by the way. A good number are just there for a steady job, some are gangsters who want to take military training back to their gang, and some are in gangs within the military. I'll at least be honest and admit I'll go fight for the paycheck, not wave a flag around and make it look like that's why I'm out there.

well of coarse, there are all kinds of reasons people join the military (naive to think its all about patriotism)

but gangs "within" the military? hwo would that work? would it be more you know camaraderie and matching tatoos?

and that sounds kinda scary...trained gangsta's...youd think mabye the military would show them that mabyw gangta'ing isnt the way to go....ah hell what do I know?

One of my criminal justice teachers in college was an MP for over 20 years, and he mentioned the military gangs, talked about them like they're just another street gang but actually in the military.

You study the reasons people join gangs, a lot of them feel indebted to the gang and want to give something back, so the ones without records enlist and teach their gang how to fight their enemies better. They're not the types who want to make a career out of the military, they just want to learn and get back home.

Oh, and I just remembered your post on if women could be mercs. In John Geddes' Highway To Hell, he actually mentions a handful of female contractors. I haven't read it in a while, so I can't remember what their backgrounds were, but it is possible. He's an ex-SAS operative who was basically an independent contractor (PMC not working for a company) in Iraq around 2004.

well in that case I might grab my earplugs and hair strightener and enlist!

ha but seriously I was just curious about "miltitay" gangs because I cant image how much "gangsta" stuff they could get up to, being within the confines of the military

then again I guess its always possible to do some illigal activiy on the side

There is a decent amount of free time, and they can leave the base, but this is how my professor put it:

Think about when you were a kid, you broke a rule, and your parents punished you. Say, they spanked/grounded you and asked if you learned your lesson. Even as a kid, you could lie and say "yes" to avoid punishment, right? Well, it's the same principle. Homie and his thug friends can play along for a few years until their enlistment's up, then go back to their gangbanging ways when they get home. Only now they're trained in room clearing and shit.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

I considered it when I left the army. While the job offers I received might not seem like mercenary work, that is the only thing it could be described as. I was offered a fair sum (between 3 and 5 times more than I made in the Army depending upon the offer) but decided I'd rather do something else with my life. I do often wonder what might have happened had I chosen differently.

 

[newdarkcloud]

- They have to provide the training and equipment (which I keep after retirement)
- I choose my own contracts
- A damn high paycheck

Though honestly, I probably wouldn't do too well as a Merc.

 

[IBlackKiteI]

No, mercenaries are defined as being distinct from military personnel, and are expressly forbidden by UN conventions.

PMC are kinda sorta the same thing, close enough for complaints to be raised, but different enough to avoid legal issues. The grey area they are in has been the subject of alot of criticism of the current laws regarding mercenaries.

Yeah but what I meant was the basic idea of a mercenary, someone who fights for money, is basically what military personnel are.
While the exact definition between a merc and soldier might be different, in some ways the principle is not.

 

[Ramare]

Now, I'm not even taking "no" as a real answer, because EVERYONE has a price. And I mean EVERYONE.

So under what circumstances would YOU become a Mercenary, I'm talking a War Mercenary, or maybe even Special Operations.

I'm guessing I'd become one if I got really good payment, and ease of going back to my "home" (wherever I live) whenever I didn't have an assignment.

How about you?

Pretty easy for me. Sure, there's conditions, but they're simple requirements...

I'm morally sound[footnote]Enough. (Insert High-Pitched Feed Dump Alex Laugh Here)[/footnote], but when you're on the opposing force, for any reason, I will not stop until you are destroyed. Good luck, ladies and gentlemen. I have no problem killing my fellow man. I have no problems with hitting, or even killing, members of the opposite sex. And I fucking hate[footnote]Yes, it's morally and ethically questionable either way; but I see having no problems killing, not maiming, but killing children as better than being inexplicably drawn to touching them in naughty places, or, God forbid, well...yeah...[/footnote] kids.

All I would need is riot gear[footnote]Really heavy reinforced Kevlar on my upper body, joints, arms, and legs; a reinforced helmet, with a riot face-guard; a ballistic mask; a balaclava; and cloth gloves. Custom. Little Kevlar pads on the knuckles, and the left glove[footnote]My left![/footnote] should have half-fingered index and middle fingers, while the right glove[footnote]Again, my right![/footnote] has half-fingered thumb and index finger. Fitting, but not restrictive. Everything cloth should be colored "Spetsnaz" brown, whereas all of the Kevlar should be matte black.[/footnote], weapons[footnote]Custom knife. More of a dagger than a knife. Reminiscent of the Battlefield 2142, or whatever the numbers are, knife. A 1911 MEU, with night sights, and a laser pointer. A Colt M4 carbine with an assault scope[footnote]I hate artificial sights like ACOGs. All of the ruinable parts of a scope, or sight, with all of the extra hassles of maintaining electronics! Yay! Isn't the case with ACOGs, but I'm still not a fan of the illuminated ones.[/footnote], a custom vertical stick foregrip with a hand guard, like the sort found on some prototype MP5ks, a laser sight in front of that[footnote] I don't particularly like laser sights that aren't below the barrel of the weapon. I find them awkward, and harder to use.[/footnote], and a barrel break the helps cut down recoil. I give up the ability to use silencers and suppressors, but then again, I could just use supersonic ammo for extra *oomph*, on top of maintaining accuracy with sustained fire![/footnote], payment per mission, as well as per head, a tactically trained and equipped squad, and my employers would have to be Russian, but understand English. I want a Russian flag patch on my left shoulder! It'll look good with my Spetsnaz brown clothes, and intimidating black, heavy armor while me and my squad do whatever, whatever, we're payed to do. The only thing I won't do is invading large countries. Not only would that be insane to attack, say, America, but that is a little too comically evil for my tastes.

 

[Zyst]

pretty insane/fucked up cirsumstances since Im pretty sure I would make a rubish mercenry

"guys stop shooting!! those guns are too LOUD!! where are my earplugs?"

also my moral code tend to lean towards balck and white

"why do we have to shoot thease people?...cant we just talk to them?"

plus Im pretty sure they dont hire chicks

Actually you can bet your ass that they probably have a higher Guy:Girl ratio than the army, including infantry and such.

 

[Joccaren]

For me to be a mercenary, the job would have to be between corporations, and I would have to believe in the cause. Anything else, and I would not do it. Gun placed against my head? I'd rather fight back.
Well, either that or all the governments in the world collapse and we enter a time of chaos. I would have no problems adding to that chaos by doing certain jobs.

 

[Buleet]

If i could be a freelance sniper.
Build up from there and get a lot of practice and of course get Aliases.
Tons and tons of aliases.
Then ill be somewhat safe and well paid.
(Basic price depends
Normal assassination no requirments around 1000 Euro's
Special requirements cost double or more depending on difficulty)

 

[Belated]

Well, I wouldn't like to serve in any kind of military organization because I've got scoliosis and I'm afraid of getting bullets in my everywhere. So due to being extremely turned off by the thought of death, it would probably take hourly wages that add up to a $1,000,000/year salary for me to join. And only if I had no minimal required years of service. So I could leave whenever I wanted to.

Oh, and they better make me a sniper. With an accurate, expensive sniper rifle.

 

[Leonartheinsane]

Ohhhh a high price for sure. In the hundreds of thousands anyway yearly (and I'm talking about British sterlings)and the best equipment. I'm not fighting in a white van like most end up doing, a Stryker or a Heli of some sort.

The problem with working with a company rather than the army is that they don't have a save all mentality leave none behind (I'm guessing here) as it would be a waste of their resources. So it would have to be a high price.

 

[White_Lama]

Anyone who has played the Mercenaries games already knows that we Swedish all have blonde mohawks and become trained mercenaries in our youth, that way, we can easily board tanks and helicopters in really strange manners

 

[Vault101]

pretty insane/fucked up cirsumstances since Im pretty sure I would make a rubish mercenry

"guys stop shooting!! those guns are too LOUD!! where are my earplugs?"

also my moral code tend to lean towards balck and white

"why do we have to shoot thease people?...cant we just talk to them?"

plus Im pretty sure they dont hire chicks

Actually you can bet your ass that they probably have a higher Guy:Girl ratio than the army, including infantry and such.

wait are you saying there would be more girls doing it? why do you think that?

 

[Richardplex]

Watch me say no. I'm not afraid of death nor dying if I don't have a purpose, nor would I end another's life so someone else may live. I'm indifferent and a horrible person, but I don't have the balls to personally end another's life.

To price to buy a cyanide pill or bullet to make my life as a mercenary as short as possible.

Mercenaries are perhaps the greatest scum to exist. I'd rather die.

That's a pretty misguided statement considering that are currently employed in YOUR country and help take money off of taxpayers. Besides that they allow for work that the military simply cannot do because of boundaries.

To quote Mass Effect 2: "I don't trust anyone who owes their loyalty to their next paycheck". I wouldn't call the army mercanaries, not to go into my thoughts about it but they have loyalty to the country they serve. Mercenaries by definition don't.