CGSteve8718
New member
Follow up
Here is a video that is supposed to be them in Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXgcQNsUKO0
I thought about it just a little bit more and have come to think that they are just a progression of an occupation. Because even though one is in the service and serving their country, ultimately, it is a "job". These guys who have gained their skills and experience while in the military and have served their time are just moving on to what they think is best for them.
As someone earlier put it, it's not really different than someone serving their time in the service as a lawyer or doctor, get honorably discharged and become a lawyer or a doctor on the outside.
As far as them being mercenaries, so long as they are working for a US company for the US govt., they are not mercenaries. True mercenaries will work for anyone for a price. As far as I know, Blackwater has not done so. They may have non American soldiers in their employ, but while working for BW, they would have to follow all their rules and regs which the company is supposed to follow. Now, if Bin Laden or North Korea offers them higher pay and they work for them, then they would be true mercenaries.
Regarding their nature, Blackwater is supposedly the premier, largest, and most professional amongst the PMC community. They are definitely not glorified mall ninja security as someone commented. Its CEO is a former Navy SEAL and hires mainly from the military elite, or those with a large amount of combat experience. I think it would be harder to get into BW than into Aegis, Armor Group, Triple Canopy, etc. And because of their prominence, I'm guessing they have to be "cleaner" and not do stuff like DynCorp and Aegis (I think) did in South Africa and other places.
Here is a video that is supposed to be them in Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXgcQNsUKO0
I thought about it just a little bit more and have come to think that they are just a progression of an occupation. Because even though one is in the service and serving their country, ultimately, it is a "job". These guys who have gained their skills and experience while in the military and have served their time are just moving on to what they think is best for them.
As someone earlier put it, it's not really different than someone serving their time in the service as a lawyer or doctor, get honorably discharged and become a lawyer or a doctor on the outside.
As far as them being mercenaries, so long as they are working for a US company for the US govt., they are not mercenaries. True mercenaries will work for anyone for a price. As far as I know, Blackwater has not done so. They may have non American soldiers in their employ, but while working for BW, they would have to follow all their rules and regs which the company is supposed to follow. Now, if Bin Laden or North Korea offers them higher pay and they work for them, then they would be true mercenaries.
Regarding their nature, Blackwater is supposedly the premier, largest, and most professional amongst the PMC community. They are definitely not glorified mall ninja security as someone commented. Its CEO is a former Navy SEAL and hires mainly from the military elite, or those with a large amount of combat experience. I think it would be harder to get into BW than into Aegis, Armor Group, Triple Canopy, etc. And because of their prominence, I'm guessing they have to be "cleaner" and not do stuff like DynCorp and Aegis (I think) did in South Africa and other places.