Private Military Contractors/Companies

[HashiriyaS14]

I know this isn't strictly a political issue per se, but it most definitely has political ramifications.

I was just wondering where everyone stands on the idea of PMCs, and specifically their use as combat units.

I tend to support the idea of ongoing use of PMC's for several reasons:

1.) They offer a cost-effective solution in situations where the US Military needs a "temp". A Blackwater soldier might cost more per-day, but if you only need someone for 2 months, it's more efficient to contract than it is to train, pay, house, and feed one more US soldier.

2.) PMC's have greater flexibility in the use of new technology, weapons systems, et cetera. There is no long appropriations process for PMC's, when they want something they go out, buy it, and field it. They move much faster and more efficiently than the US military in this regard.

3.) This is an offshoot of #2, but I believe it will be of absolutely paramount importance in the military environment of the 21st century. The US military has been very apprehensive in regards to the use of unmanned combat hardware. We use it, but we approach it with a great degree of caution and the entrenched military culture generally opposes it because it will both shake up the system and put a lot of people out of jobs. I think that as unmanned weaponry permeates more and more types of warfare, PMC's will be best setup to move quickly and implement these systems.

This creates an interesting conundrum though. Is an unmanned combat unit fielded by a PMC a "mercenary"? Note that when I say "unmanned" I'm referring to remote-operated vehicles and weaponry, not AI-controlled (which is both a long ways off and maybe wholly undesirable).

I think that unmanned weaponry, specifically ground weaponry (i.e. "soldier replacements") will completely change the way wars are waged as it will nearly eliminate all domestic political consequences through the sharp decrease in potential fatalities. I WANT to see this happen, but not everyone agrees as it could admittedly develop into a somewhat scary situation (private contractors fighting proxy wars for the US government with unmanned weaponry that can't suffer casualties).

Thoughts?

[WDRacing]

Unmanned FTW...all I have time for atm Hash. I have some theories and idea's that we can discuss involving covert ops etc. In short, Covert Ops would be greatly increased efficiency wise if we used Mercs...no doubt about it.

The main issue is law and what rules of engagement they fall under.

Be back later...

[ScrapMetal]

I don't know much about these PMCs, but after thinking about it, what stops other countries from hiring these guys as well. What stops one of these third world countries who have a super rich dictator to hire some of these PMCs and take over other countries or even private companies from hiring these guys or even super rich individuals? Like I said I don't know much about these PMCs so I may be missing something.

[HashiriyaS14]

I don't know much about these PMCs, but after thinking about it, what stops other countries from hiring these guys as well. What stops one of these third world countries who have a super rich dictator to hire some of these PMCs and take over other countries or even private companies from hiring these guys or even super rich individuals? Like I said I don't know much about these PMCs so I may be missing something.

Mercenary laws stop this from happening.

In theory though, the same Mercenary laws are designed to stop these guys from functioning in combat roles, but that doesn't seem to be a catch-all, as they're obviously functioning in said roles.

That said, I'm not sure why these guys would ever do that, as no client will ever be as profitable for them as the US Gov't. I'm sure their contracts with the Gov't have a clause that requires them not to seek other associations.