Blackwater mercenaries

[wrx_snobordr]

I was just wondering what people thought about their role in Iraq and their existence in general.

[Honest_Bob]

Do they like to swim in black water and kill people for money?

[Bender]

more power to them - they will provide the oil companies with the security they need while not giving up the lives of 19 yearold kids.

They are certainly better trained and probably better equiped than our military (as they are all ex military so have been through years of training. They also are not restrained by government interactions like our military.

Get our boys out and let the iraqis, oil companies, other industry do what they want - let them pay for their security and not the american tax payers

[Broken5hift]

never heard of them until now. but now i wanna join. even though they wouldnt take me. maybe i can make them some cookies

[wrx_snobordr]

yeah, I don't know that much about them either. I am not sure exactly what their roll is in Iraq or in the war on terror. They say they are a security force but some claim they are more than that.

Personally I think they are a double edged sword. Americans want our soldiers out of Iraq but many are still calling for a diplomatic solution. Well, the politicians and the contractors will need protection. I also think they are good because they are free to go after the terrorists in a much more unrestrained fashion.

But then again they are not bound by US laws so if they do commit some sort of crime we take the hit and look even more ridiculous on the international stage. Also, I read they just opened a "base" outside of Iran. Since they are not bound by the US congress, I guess technically Bush and company could conduct a war with any country under the radar.

[wrx_snobordr]

Originally Posted by Bender

more power to them - they will provide the oil companies with the security they need while not giving up the lives of 19 yearold kids.

They are certainly better trained and probably better equiped than our military (as they are all ex military so have been through years of training. They also are not restrained by government interactions like our military.

Get our boys out and let the iraqis, oil companies, other industry do what they want - let them pay for their security and not the american tax payers

Currently the American government is the one funding Blackwater. They get paid much more money than a normal US service man.

[Broken5hift]

i wanna be a mercenary so badly. i agree with you snobordr that the US may have found a loop hole to get their guys where they want while keeping their hands clean. very interesting read on them thus far

[Bender]

Originally Posted by wrx_snobordr

Currently the American government is the one funding Blackwater. They get paid much more money than a normal US service man.

Which is unfortunate - let the people that want them pay for them themselvse - stop wasting my money

[Broken5hift]

Originally Posted by wrx_snobordr

Currently the American government is the one funding Blackwater. They get paid much more money than a normal US service man.

i believe their starting salary is 90k

[IntegrasAreBest]

i know two mercanaries. i think one might be on here. but the other is my neighbor's son, 3rd generation marine who turned merc. they get payed SERIOUS money.

[Chair-Force]

I've dealt with some of these companies in Kirkuk. Most of the companies have a two tour contract. The first tour you dont make alot of money (45-60k) but if you make it (dont get killed or fired), the second tour you make the big bucks. They arent mercs, far from it. They are private security. Almost all of them rolled outside the wire in armored suburbans. The ones I talked to were borderline crazy. Army guys said they would see them shooting at unarmed, innocent Iraqis because they "looked out of place".
Alot of private security guys were killed by IEDs on a regular basis. Its not like being merc that you see in the movies. Sure they had good equipment and gear but unless you are rolling in a M1A1 tank, IEDs will kill.

[Broken5hift]

Originally Posted by Chair-Force

I've dealt with some of these companies in Kirkuk. Most of the companies have a two tour contract. The first tour you dont make alot of money (45-60k) but if you make it (dont get killed or fired), the second tour you make the big bucks. They arent mercs, far from it. They are private security. Almost all of them rolled outside the wire in armored suburbans. The ones I talked to were borderline crazy. Army guys said they would see them shooting at unarmed, innocent Iraqis because they "looked out of place".
Alot of private security guys were killed by IEDs on a regular basis. Its not like being merc that you see in the movies. Sure they had good equipment and gear but unless you are rolling in a M1A1 tank, IEDs will kill.

good post

[redline]

Virginia Boys.

[wrx_snobordr]

Originally Posted by Chair-Force

I've dealt with some of these companies in Kirkuk. Most of the companies have a two tour contract. The first tour you dont make alot of money (45-60k) but if you make it (dont get killed or fired), the second tour you make the big bucks. They arent mercs, far from it. They are private security. Almost all of them rolled outside the wire in armored suburbans. The ones I talked to were borderline crazy. Army guys said they would see them shooting at unarmed, innocent Iraqis because they "looked out of place".
Alot of private security guys were killed by IEDs on a regular basis. Its not like being merc that you see in the movies. Sure they had good equipment and gear but unless you are rolling in a M1A1 tank, IEDs will kill.

That is why I am a bit skeptical of them. If a person looks American and is randomly shooting at unarmed civilians it is going to affect our standing with Iraqi people.

But, at the same time, it does take our troops out of harms way. If these guys WANT to go into harms way it is their choice. We need to put someone there currently and the American people are against troop casualties.

Crazy or not they do serve a purpose. I would bet it is much cheaper for the government to use them for security than military personell.

[ITSTOCK]

Originally Posted by wrx_snobordr

If these guys WANT to go into harms way it is their choice.

Just checking, but you do realize that when you sign up with any branch of the armed forces, you are doing exactly that, right???????

I know it's a common misconception that we only have the military for free rides to college, to explore the world, to make yourself look good for politics, to stay safe because they issue you a firearm, and/or just signing the dotted line because they have nothing better to do, but whether that's part or not, the point is that you are putting yourself in harms way. Surprisingly, at least to the general public, many of the members that are proudly serving are completely aware of the risks associated.

It's so unfortunate that people don't grasp that concept.

Originally Posted by wrx_snobordr

We need to put someone there currently and the American people are against troop casualties.

Well, aside from the FACT that when you sign on that dotted line you are making a statement that says you are willing to put yourself in harms way, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BITCH ANYWAY.

Again,

It's so unfortunate that people don't grasp that concept.

Back to the original topic; Blackwater is a private security company that not only protects private companies, but helps to protect countries "private interests". They are good at what they do, thanks to special training and (more often then not) years of experience. I'm not sure what there is to think about.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by IntegrasAreBest

i know two mercanaries. i think one might be on here. but the other is my neighbor's son, 3rd generation marine who turned merc. they get payed SERIOUS money.

theres a reason for it, there is ZERO backup and little support with those groups. i had briefly considered a career with a PMC after my second tour since the money is excellent and i have no moral issues with the work (not to mention experience) but dead is dead, and one of those units is a great way to get that way.




oh and whats this "looks like an american" ****? our continent has NO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

[ScubaSteve]

Originally Posted by Dave

theres a reason for it, there is ZERO backup and little support with those groups. i had briefly considered a career with a PMC after my second tour since the money is excellent and i have no moral issues with the work (not to mention experience) but dead is dead, and one of those units is a great way to get that way.




oh and whats this "looks like an american" ****? our continent has NO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

If only we had some type of native.... americans

[wrx_snobordr]

Originally Posted by ITSTOCK

Just checking, but you do realize that when you sign up with any branch of the armed forces, you are doing exactly that, right???????

I know it's a common misconception that we only have the military for free rides to college, to explore the world, to stay safe because they issue you a firearm, and/or just signing the dotted line because they have nothing better to do, but whether that's part or not, the point is that you are putting yourself in harms way. Surprisingly, to the general public, many of the members that are proudly serving are completely aware of the risks associated.

It's so unfortunate that people don't grasp that concept.



Well, aside from the FACT that when you sign on that dotted line you are making a statement that says you are willing to put yourself in harms way, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BITCH ANYWAY.

Again,





Back to the original topic; Blackwater is a private security company that not only protects private companies, but helps to protect countries "private interests". They are good at what they do, thanks to special training and (more often then not) years of experience. I'm not sure what there is to think about.

No, I understand, but there is a difference. People who sign up for the Armed Services know their is a "chance" they may see action. There is a chance they may be called to defend our country if the population feels it necessary. However, people who join companies like blackwater KNOW they will see action.

The point of my post was I personally have no idea what roll these people are playing in Iraq or in the war on terror. I do not know if they are causing us harm by giving us a bad image or if they are actually helpful. I am not in the military nor am I a member of one of these companies so I have no first hand experience. I don't exactly believe everything I read in the papers and know they are not like they are portrayed in the movies. So I asked what people think about them. I am especially interested in what current and previous military personell think of them and their roles. I care because I like to stay on top of what is going on in our country. I do not just want to pull a lever every 2 years and base that opinion on if the lever is under a D or an R.

If you have experience with these groups I would like to hear your view point on them.

[ITSTOCK]

Originally Posted by wrx_snobordr

If you have experience with these groups I would like to hear your view point on them.

Back to the original topic; Blackwater is a private security company that not only protects private companies, but helps to protect countries "private interests". They are good at what they do, thanks to special training and (more often then not) years of experience. I'm not sure what there is to think about.

[wrx_snobordr]

Originally Posted by Dave

oh and whats this "looks like an american" ****? our continent has NO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

It wasn't a statement about race. It was aimed at the fact they are standing around in fatigues and American military style armor with American weapons shooting at Iraqi's it is not a stretch to think that Iraqis standing nearby would think they are part of the US military.