Blackwater

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Balko

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I've been hearing about some private military groups, like blackwater, operating in Iraq and such. It also seems like there is a disdain from soldiers who know about them as I've heard they get paid A LOT more than the average soldier. To the military members here, if you know about them, I wonder how do you feel about private military groups, and whatever else you can tell me about them.
 

Autumnleaf

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I've been hearing about some private military groups, like blackwater, operating in Iraq and such. It also seems like there is a disdain from soldiers who know about them as I've heard they get paid A LOT more than the average soldier. To the military members here, if you know about them, I wonder how do you feel about private military groups, and whatever else you can tell me about them.

Are you talking about mercenaries?
 
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Autumnleaf

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I have a relative who worked security for the President, or whatever you call him, of Afghanistan for awhile. He was civilian security. I would think he got paid alot for taking such a risky job. As for such people leaving in unarmored SUVs in Iraq armed with 9mm pistols I'd say they weren't properly trained or were in what was considered a 'safe area'. From what I understand most mercenaries know their work well. My relative has the special forces on his resume' so I'm sure he didn't get the job in Afghanistan from a newspaper ad.
 
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ib4au

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I have a friend of mine that does security details for some "officials" in Europe. He had the opportunity to go work in Iraq for a while for quite a bit more money but turned it down. I know those private company guys are really good at what they do, but it kind of rubs me the wrong way that they're getting paid sooo much more than our troops. This is just an assumption, but based on the six digit figure he told me he could get, that'd probobly be at least twice or three times as much as what the average soldier would bring home.
 
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DesertSAPPER

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Blackwater is usually pretty professional. They don't generally look much different than an SF team leaving the wire. They all are in civilian tac gear, have long shaggy beards, and are armed to the teeth. If by 9 mil, you mean 240Bs, 249s, and .50 cal, then yes. Remember, Blackwater is there to provide security for people like AAFES. Their non-security detail guys stopped going out lightly armed after that one vehicle got ambushed, and the dudes got burnt to a crisp and strung up over that bridge in Baghdad. That was over 2 years ago.
 
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[serious]

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I've been hearing about some private military groups, like blackwater, operating in Iraq and such. It also seems like there is a disdain from soldiers who know about them as I've heard they get paid A LOT more than the average soldier. To the military members here, if you know about them, I wonder how do you feel about private military groups, and whatever else you can tell me about them.
yeah, I'm very much against the use of a corporate army of any sort. If we need more troops, fix the recruiting or restart the draft. That's not to mention that they operate outside of any US jurisdiction. I view these mercenary groups as a threat to America.
 
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Autumnleaf

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yeah, I'm very much against the use of a corporate army of any sort. If we need more troops, fix the recruiting or restart the draft. That's not to mention that they operate outside of any US jurisdiction. I view these mercenary groups as a threat to America.

If I'm not mistaken these mercenaries are providing security for civilians. Would you rather put a regiment of US Marines under the authority of Haliburton to guard their assets, instead of Blackwater mercs?
 
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Our Echelon

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Yes I've heard of blackwater.


They are trained and companies like them.


Unfortunately I've heard some bad things about them.
And I guess from the Standard Marines and Army too, they actually do terrible things to to the civilians of whatever place they are occupying. They pretty much bully everyone, rape the woman, etc...


I mean i've heard stuff on the news about our own Military doing this. It's not every soldier, but like anythiing else, there are sinners with pride and these idiots think that because they are in their Gear and have their weapons, that they're gods or something.


I'm in the air force myself and I hate hearing about stuff like that.
 
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armyman_83

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Black Water is really professional. I am going to join the Army just to go to Iraq, but if some man came from Black Water and offered me a job---I would take it. I mean I would still be helping the US out and I would be getting lots of money to help my family out.
Sure they are soldiers of fortune, but its not like they are raping and pilliaging the land or drinking the enemies blood! Those are old school mercs.
 
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fieldsofwind

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If you are not a member of blackwater, triple canopy, etc... or if you do not know a member personally, then there really isn't much you can type down here one way or another.

I was talking with a friend of mine just yesterday about PMCs, because he spent 2 years with Triple Canopy. At first, things were good... the people he was working with were former SOF. After about 8 months (and the trend has continued to this day) the quality of the people he worked with went down dramatically. The PMCs started hiring just about anyone with a military or LE background because of the high demand for PMC work. As a result, he left.
 
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Most PMC's are composed of ex or retired special forces such from all over the country. They are very highly trained, even more so than most of our own troops sadly. Most of them are expert shots, educated, fluent in many languages, and fluent in many forms of martial arts. These men are no ametuers. When I see any, I stay clear away from them.

-TJ-
 
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SH89

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Check out the latest blackwater armored vehicle:

pic_armored.jpg


Cruising speed of over 65 MPH. . . .


Link
 
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BoazB

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Just to add my pennies worth. This is not expert or inside info, but more ex-soldier and insight info.

My context is having served as a medic in a National Force. The reasons for the extreme difference of conditions between Mercenaries and a National Force, I would imagine, are the following:

BEHAVIOURAL:
They don't fall under the same military rules as a National Force would, and money is an essential commodity in the story. They will probably have a code of some sort, but thuis would not be the same as a National Force where you do something wrong and the sgt jumps all over you.

They will have smaller numbers and might not have the incredible infrastructure of a National Force as back up.
So they take much more risk.

Also, as a National Force, your safety is ensured even from each other, because the web of structure is so intense. If there is a row with another, you can fall back on somebody and appeal to them. If as a mercenary, if you fall foul of you boss, what do you do.

HUGE PAY
They are paid BIG money, because they don't have the same infrastructure behind them. Medical Aid, Equipment, Pension (If with so many risks you can look forward to enjoying that). Remember, as soldiers get older in a National Force, you probably start getting to desk jobs, but as a Mercenary, you need to make the cash to retire before you get to old (If you can).

Mercenaries need a cash attraction, because, unlike a National Force, will the helicopters come in to pull them out if it all goes wrong? You are without a government to pull you out, or an embassy to call (I may be wrong, but please correct me)

I have met soldiers who becamse mercenaries, reasons range from political (If you know the SA Government opinion on fighting in other countries - to serve, they have to leave the country and never return), through to money and of affirmative action in National Forces Re: promotion.

Also, bear in mind, a soldier of a National Force, who is full time, is paid wether there is a war or not. Mercenaries might need that money to tie them over between wars.

It has happened before that before mercenaries get to do their job, they get captured. Their families then need that money for maintaining the family, legal fees etc.

I would not want to be mercenary, even if the pay was good. And yes, they know their stuff, and I wouldn't mess with them.

:) I hope this gives a bit more light. I had just been thinking about these factors, and thought I should share them.

One thing to thank the Lord, is that your lads will have a helicopter that the Government has paid for, if they need to be casevaced, and leaders and men who will make a point of getting them back home.
 
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