What is the purpose of private military company?

PMCs specialize in providing combat and protection forces. Their work ranges from running small-scale training missions to providing combat units composed of up to several hundred highly trained soldiers equipped with powerful weapons platforms, including tanks and attack helicopters.

Are mercenaries legal in the US?

No U.S. law currently restricts or prohibits U.S. persons from serving in a foreign mercenary force. Only the U.S. government is restricted from hiring mercenaries under what is known as the Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893.

How much do private military contractors make?

According to several sources, private military contractors can earn between $80,000 to $250,000 per year. So it is not out of the question that security management for the right company could earn you six figures a year. Keep in mind that many of these jobs can be as short as 1 month, to as long as several years.

What is the difference between a PMC and a mercenary?

Mercenaries are essentially individual soldiers who can be hired by whoever pays them. PMCs, on the other hand, are recruited into an organization (the private military company) that serves as the intermediary between the professional soldiers they employ and the governments that seek their services.

Are private military contractors civilians?

To begin, while private contractors are generally considered civilians, they often do not respect the norm of refraining from joining the conflict in a combat role.

What weapons do private military contractors use?

Private security contractors who are alums of elite US military units often prefer the same weapons they carried in the service such as the SCAR-L or M4 assault rifles that fire 5.56mm rounds. If they want to up the caliber a little, they can go with the SCAR-H or M14, which both use a 7.62mm round.

How can a civilian become a private military contractor?

Here are some steps you can use to start your career as a private military contractor if you have no prior military experience:

1. Earn a degree.
2. Complete firearms training.
3. Maintain your physical fitness.
4. Ensure you meet all qualifications.
5. Gain experience in a security or defense role.

How much do CIA military contractors make?

Reliable and detailed statistics are hard to find, mostly because many private military contractors work for the CIA and all aspects of their agreements are confidential. Nevertheless, most contractors earn between $300 and $750 a day, or between $9,000 and $22,500 per month.

Do you have to be ex military to become a PMC?

Prior military experience is necessary for many positions that directly provide mission support. However, there are a number of private military contractor positions that do not require prior experience in the military. Most require that the applicant be a U.S. citizen and have experience specific to the job.

What happened at Nisour Square?

The Nisour Square massacre occurred on September 16, 2007, when employees of Blackwater Security Consulting (now Academi), a private military company contracted by the US government to provide security services in Iraq, shot at Iraqi civilians, killing 17 and injuring 20 in Nisour Square, Baghdad, while escorting a …

What percentage of the US military is private contracting?

According to the Congressional Research Service, roughly 10\% of America’s armed forces were privately contracted during WWII, but during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the proportion has grown to a staggering 50\%.

Why is the US military’s use of PMCs problematic?

Several factors related to the expansion of PMCs hamper the U.S. military’s ability to resolve conflicts, specifically the reduced oversight of private soldiers, the loss of international credibility, and the profit motive of PMCs. One of the most difficult challenges related to the use of PMCs is the issue of oversight and transparency.

What happens if a contractor leaves the military at any time?

That goes both ways, as generally, contractors can leave at any time without suffering any negative consequences. Whereas contractors receive the same compensation regardless of experience, regular servicemembers are paid according to rank.

How much do private military contractors make for the CIA?

Reliable and detailed statistics are hard to find, mostly because many private military contractors work for the CIA and all aspects of their agreements are confidential. Nevertheless, most contractors earn between $300 and $750 a day, or between $9,000 and $22,500 per month.