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Well, the thread at this place was getting side-tracked and Poncho suggested starting a new thread.
What about it?
Should the US hire mercenaries to enable it to pay for its role as 'Global Policeman'?
Would you - the taxpayer - be prepared to pay more? (Nobody has suggested reducing US Forces manpower to provide additional funds, so the units would require additional money [from the taxpayer]to fund them)
Is this a good idea?
Or should the country (and the Commander-in-chief) draw its horns in, revert to 'protecting its own' and allow other countries [even those who decline to accept American standards of democracy] to go their own way and dig their own holes?
"Thank you for the up to date information. I was under the impression that the French sometimes use the Legion for situations in former colonies where use of regular French troops would have political ramifications absent when using the Legion but I'm thinking of a couple of decades back. Is this no longer true?
In any event it would be beneficial to have a foreign force in our employ if we go to a draft. One needs cannon fodder to implement policy and the American people have adopted a sentimental attitude towards our own professional soldiery (I think induced by guilt over Viet Nam War draftees), imagine what they'd have for draftees. Can one still hire Swiss by the thousands? "
Well, the thread at this place was getting side-tracked and Poncho suggested starting a new thread.
No, I stated:
Quote:
If you wish to start a thread, please do, and in the appropriate forum...
And of course the Terms of Service (TOS) still apply:Terms Of Service
And last but not least at the top of this forum "Announcement: This forum is not to be used for political arguments. Use Politics and Other Controversies forum instead. Topics about specific miltary bases should be in our local forums"
The US has an all-volunteer force and that force is (with a tiny number of exceptions) highly professional and totally reliable.
It's not guaranteed - it just happens that way.
How would you guarantee the same level of reliability from a mercenary force?
Would $200,000 a year guarantee the reliability of a (mercenary) PFC? - Maybe.
$50,000 a year might get you a promise... but how much would that promise be worth?
I'm retired military [not yours] and I certainly wouldn't want to work alongside mercenaries.
I worked alongside US forces and I knew I could trust them. They swore similar oaths to those I swore and we were allies.
But mercenaries? - No thanks. Not for me. I'm (was) a professional Air Force Officer and I am (was) not prepared to tolerate amateurs. No matter how highly-paid they were.
And of course the Terms of Service (TOS) still apply:Terms Of Service
And last but not least at the top of this forum "Announcement: This forum is not to be used for political arguments. Use Politics and Other Controversies forum instead. Topics about specific miltary bases should be in our local forums"
The above looks OK to me so far...
Rich
My apologies. Is this thread out of line? - I was actually trying to stop the 'off topic' direction in which the other thread seemed to be heading.
People seemed to want to discuss the (possible) use of mercenaries to supplement regular forces, so I started a thread on that topic.
The term "Mercenaries" seems so out of place to a degree... What about Blackwater USA?
A can of worms I wouldn't want to open ... isn't discussion about Blackwater likely to get political? - Either way, Blackwater (American mercenaries) is a long, long way from employing foreign mercenaries. American mercenaries [lets call them 'contractors'] are, ultimately bound by federal law. I suggest it might be impracticable - at the very least -to try to bind mercenaries in the same manner. UCMJ - which does have its flaws - works pretty well.
How would you bind mercenaries to UCNJ? - With a great deal of difficulty, I suggest.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
Not yet, just don't venture into politics.
Should I venture into politics, that will be by accident. Although I may have an interest in politics, I've no wish to explain that here.
After all, I'm a 'Resident Alium' - I don't even get a vote.
What's that Yankee thing about 'no taxation without representation?
Does that apply in the South? If I don't have a vote, do I have to pay taxes?
I wish!
(When I lived in Albuquerque, I had to pay far too much in taxes. - so it doesn't apply in the SouthWest.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poncho_NM
No, but you are jumping around a bit. A bit confused. I like to keep things simple...
The US has an all-volunteer force and that force is (with a tiny number of exceptions) highly professional and totally reliable.
It's not guaranteed - it just happens that way.
How would you guarantee the same level of reliability from a mercenary force?
Would $200,000 a year guarantee the reliability of a (mercenary) PFC? - Maybe.
$50,000 a year might get you a promise... but how much would that promise be worth?
I'm retired military [not yours] and I certainly wouldn't want to work alongside mercenaries.
I worked alongside US forces and I knew I could trust them. They swore similar oaths to those I swore and we were allies.
But mercenaries? - No thanks. Not for me. I'm (was) a professional Air Force Officer and I am (was) not prepared to tolerate amateurs. No matter how highly-paid they were.
The Legion has nothing in common with those units, they are not Special Operations capable. They are elite assault troops that serve in a rapid reaction capability. France's suspension of conscription in 2001 has led to some doubts about the Legion's long term future but I think it will be around for quite some time to come. It has been decided that the Legion will share the rapid reaction role with the Troupes de marine (French colonial soldiers from French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, French Polynesia, etc).
The USA can have as large of a military as they desire, since we have far more applicants then openings. The size of our military is determined by our president and congress.
I doubt it (The question about the Swiss) Could one ever hire 'Swiss by the thousands'?
Yes. At one time they were the finest infantry in Europe; ferocious, disciplined and relentless. They were also politically and militarily reliable when paid on time, unlike Condottieri who were liable to change sides when given a better offer or even subvert and take over the state that had hired them.
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