Soldiers For Hire

The History Channel ^ | July 18, 2004

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Once called mercenaries, highly trained killers have offered their deadly services for a price--from ancient Rome to the War on Terror. Today, they've marched from the back pages of "Soldier of Fortune" to form vast corporations with the power of the most advanced militaries. The payday for these private soldiers has reached $100-billion annually! Unregulated by governing forces, they wage war for those who can afford it. Find out if they are the future of conflict resolution in our 2-hour special.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Pretty impressive show about Private Military Companies, focusing on Executive Outcomes, also mentioning MPRI and KBR. I thought I had been paying attention but I learned some things I had never known before about Executive Outcome's operations in Angola and Sierrra Leone. Pretty even-handed treatment of the subject, I thought. Comes on again at midnight Eastern according to my cable system menu guide.

[bikepacker67]

Just remember... once ya weed out the the "summer soldiers", Americans kick Hessian Ass!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Peter W. Singer

He was the primary talking head on this show.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

William Shawcross is an internationally renowned writer and broadcaster, and another talking head on this program.

[Double Tap]

Excellent show. Glad I recorded it.

The segment on Sierra Leone was most instructive. Just another instance of UN/Clinton incompetence.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[Khurkris]

oh yeah...its still a growth bidness.

viv le mort...viv le guerre...viv le sacre; mercenaire....and all that other hub bub rubbish. Bidness has always been good in Africa. As industrial guards and as trainers for security forces for large industrial corporations.

Executive security has been growing due to political instability and the use of kidnapping as fund raising for just about every wahoo group coming down the pike. Executive security is a bit more than just trigger pullers so it attracts a slightly different group. Classes in etiquette and proper attire are de rigueur. A good tailor can adjust that suit to give just a scooch more room under the arm and in the rear waist.

[cavtrooper21]

I walked on a second interview with EO in '94..
A then-promising LEO career seemed like a better idea.
The interview team was very business-like and not at all like the crap you see in the movies.
Assignment and salary options were part of the second visit but I got the feeling that there would be no BS and the more bullets in the air the more gold in the purse.
I wonder sometimes...

Then I look at my wife and child.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Do you get the History Channel in Taiwan?

[Vigilantcitizen]

Interesting program.

[Sola Veritas]

You know there was a time when countries didn't have standing armies and relied on mercenaries. Maybe it is swinging back that way.

Wished I could see this documentary.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[1066AD]

Missed it .. did they mention "Mad" Mike Hoare of Congo fame ? Not sure if he's still alive.

[Zeroisanumber]

Mercenaries seem to come and go in cycles. Anyone remember Bob Denard and his British mercenaries who fought over in the Congo back in the 70's?

[neverdem]

I missed the first half hour. Thanks for the ping!

[Newtoidaho]

Yes he was mentioned at the beginning as one of the first soldiers for hire. Had a picture of him with some others. Didn't say if he was still alive.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

That Lafras Luitingh guy from EO impressed me. He seemed like a link between the old Congo 5 Commando mercs and the modern corporate Private Military Company problem solver.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

They mentioned him briefly and showed his picture. Most of the show portraying the 1960's had footage of Portugese and African troops and Belgian paras instead of 5 Commando.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Bob Denard

[Cacique]

bttfl