Vice takes a look:
Interesting stuff.
Cool how they didn’t completely just look at the US side of things. That Czech range with the tires is badass. Looks like they have been running a multicam-black type pattern before it was cool
The one NY Times guys puts it well – “Are they truly American or are they truly international? Who exactly are they working for?”. Yea no kidding… if you can just hire these guys are they just on board with whatever the objective of the person who’s paying them the most?
LOL at the Cowwadoody ad at the end… lame.
Thoughts?
Comments
14 responses to “Private Military Companies – Operators For Hire”
*eyeroll*
It’s hard to talk about the modern PMC without including a history of Executive Outcomes (well worth the research). PMCs are nothing new. The British used hired troops during the revolutionary war. The captured Hessians were housed near my place, as were captured WWII Germans.
If there’s money in it, people/corporations will capitalise on it. There will always be a market for a well trained infantry force.
If the guys featured in this film are our “elite” military operators-turned-contractors, then we are in big trouble- they are obviously a giant bunch of douche bags!
“if you can just hire these guys are they just on board with whatever the objective of the person who’s paying them the most?”
Yes, sometimes.
These aren’t enlisted soldiers who have to follow every order they’re given. They’re contract employees, so they can turn down a job if they have an issue with it. If someone in their chain of command tells them to shoot babies and they don’t feel like shooting babies that day, they don’t have to shoot any babies. They might get fired, but oh well, there’s always McDonalds.
Critics of the PMC model should keep in mind that the government alternative involves the death of less well off kids just hoping to put together some money for college. While the top brass and the big Defense contractors like Lockheed and GenDynamics take the big money, the poor kids and immigrants do the dying.
What happens if you offer them more money?
Hypothetical scenario: A team of PMCs are shooting up your courtyard (you have a villa in this scenario) then you just pop up and go “I’l pay ya double to take out those who ordered the hit”. Would that work? Would they just take the money and turn back? Also, maybe you shouldn’t physically pop up. Use a remote controlled blimp with a screen or something.
Do they take the money? Maybe. But what about their next job or the job after that? How many times can you switch sides for more money and still get your next hire? Who hires a mercenary group that easily switches sides for money?
ENDO PMC…..sign me up!
There will be a test….Here’s Mike at the test..Had to fan him in the end.
http://youtu.be/gk5R9GmIsAs
The initial stages of training went a lot better.. especially when when Mike told the ninjas he’d bring back the sun.
http://youtu.be/a13WXB5Bq7Y
I’m no operator here but I’m like 2 minutes into the video and the dude with the compact carry pistol with no holster holding the gun out seems useless. A carry pistol is remarkably ineffective for what it seems like they’re doing, and if he’s gonna run around with it out why not just get at the very least a full sized handgun?
I’m all for PMCs. The lady representative pushing for elmination of PMCs in warzones unless they wear the USA badge should just modify the use of PMCs in warfare by requiring them to only act within the rules of engagement, orders, and rules of military justice if they are to fight alongside US militaries so they don’t add the perceived ‘lawless” element they are attributed with.
I’d kinda like to know why there aren’t state militias using the ‘business model’ of PMCs and building themselves up. Funny how its illegal to train as an anti-government militia but PMCs are ok to train and be well regulated/equipped all day long without a problem..and get hired out to combat zones.
Of course, there’s also the fact that the PMC is also a Hollywood actor….
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1460101/?ref_=nv_sr_1
PMC’s aren’t held accountable for their actions! Whaaaa!
Tell me, when are state actors held accountable? Only unless the state uses them as fall-guys. So, there really isn’t any change there. Within the whole situation of modern war, might makes right. Whoever is strongest can do whatever they want.
Our forces go to Iraq and disarm the populace and all militias. Then when ISIS rolls in, they’re killing all the disarmed Christians the installed government hasn’t yet gotten to killing… way to go USA.