Soldiers of Fortune

Are better known as Mercenaries

Hirelings and Mercenaries are better known as Soldiers of Fortune; they have been around for many years. And because there is always a conflict going on somewhere around the globe the mercenary will continue to be available for hire. After all it's a busy avaricious money-orientated business.

Professional Soldiers hired to serve in a foreign army, motivated primarily by the desire for gain. But only if the price is right for them. Since profit and gain has been in existence there have been people who will pay others to do their fighting. Needless to say the first of a long line of volunteers recognised as mercenaries were soon forthcoming.

Although having said that there are those Soldiers who are willing to undertake the commitment for no financial gain whatsoever. For them it’s different they are enthralled by the excitement of the job. They like to capture the fascination and thrill they get; their satisfaction derives from the excitement of live action. Helping others can be concluded as something of an added bonus.

Hirelings are soldiers of fortune hor hire

Most also realise that because of who they are there is not a place for them in society, coupled to the fact; for them a marriage would in most cases have disastrous consequences. The truth is they just can’t settle down to what is commonly understood to be civilian life with a day job.

Then there are people who seek the services of the mercenaries and other hirelings for whatever purpose they may have, whether it be for political, financial or some other undisclosed motive. These people conceal themselves behind operatives who obey their commands.

People like the Popes, who have actually employed thousands of hirelings over time, they cover it up by calling them their Swiss Guard, because originally some of them came from Switzerland.

The same can be said for the British Government whom employ Gurkhas in the British armed forces. They are not English, they come from Nepal. Up until the summer of (2009), all were sent home after their tour of duty, with the value of their services to Britain not being properly recognised. However, that has now changed, those who qualify can now become British citizens with a British passport.

No matter what the motive is, former soldiers have always gone off to fight other countries wars since time immemorial. To the average miss-informed general public, it’s a glamorous life-style, because the danger is never taken into consideration. However for the soldier it is always fraught with danger and only the experienced, dedicated, on-the-ball soldier will survive.

Many are Professional Warriors

When the public read newspapers or books on the subject very few of them have any idea why the true reason of why the war is being fought. Newspapers print the stories their told; they do not go onto the front line of the action; they are led by the story teller only for the publicity they are seeking.

Books that tell the stories of action are often false; those that are not; tarnish the reputation of true soldiers including the soldiers of fortune. Since 1977 the Directorate of Special Forces made it compulsory for every serving member and new recruit to sign a non-disclosure contract. Making it illegal to inform others of their dealings therefore in most active service books you will not be told the truth.

The words ‘Mercenary’ and ‘Soldiers of Fortune’ have been badly tainted over the years, by some highly exaggerated and in some cases very badly publicised events, that have taken place since the end of the Second World War.

John Wayne as a swashbuckling hero

During those conflicts many of the Soldiers who fought in them have been portrayed as young, out of work, gun for hire, thrill seeking adventures. And all were portrayed as looking for the big money, that came with the thrill of being able kill somebody. Younsters using their imagintion of mercenaries would use it as bragging material to make them look big in front of their mates, for when, and hopefully if they returned.

Films have also played a big role in this type of Gung-ho portrayal, featuring stars like John Wayne as a swashbuckling hero who somehow manages to dodge every single bullet that was ever fired at him. These films make good entertainment but they are miles away from what actually happens in these situations. Only the true soldier of fortune knows.

However, it’s more a case of a soldier being out of work because they have just completed a period of time in their country’s military service. They are highly trained former service personnel who are finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life, and in most cases not being able to hold down a normal job.

When the period of the combatants unemployment gets longer and their savings dry up, most normal former service men will take any opportunity that’s offer to them. In most cases there is no hard training required with the job, because most are already highly skilled in what’s required of them.

Wars are deadly serious especially for hirelings

Some researchers into mercenary conflicts point out that the 1975/76 Angolan conflict was the last one that went wrong. In their eyes they claim that it was the last of the so called farcical wars.

The point they miss out is that for those who put their hand up and went it was not farcical, most of them were deadly serious in going. Many were told that they were going only to train the locals so that they could defend themselves.

Many mercenaries died But most of the lucky ones who returned have since reported that in the end they knew that at some time they would have to pick up a gun and fight. After all these countries do not pay high wages for somebody to sit behind a desk when they are required at the front.

In 1981 the Seychelles attempted takeover by Mike Hoare and a few of his friends can be easily described as farcical. When luck turns against you it just goes from bad to worse. In just a few moments mistakes can be made, and there is no way you can go back and change what has happened. Which is exactly what happened there?

Hind sights a wonderful tool to the general public, but is of no use to the guy in the heat of action who is making the decision on the spot at the time. The chances of seeing another so called farcical war in your life time must be rated as highly probable.

Major Companies employ mercenaries

Today major companies recruit some of the top experienced military personnel that is available to them, and at the moment it’s like a bottomless pit of untapped military experience all highly trained and if needs be, ready for action.

This is not to say that there never were companies recruiting former soldiers because that would be untrue. Almost every conflict you wish to mention there was a company recruiting for it and behind them although denying it all the way was usually the Governments of the day. Today they are a little more transparent, they have to be, the internet has seen to that, and hence it's websites like this, that tell the world what really went on.

It should be remembered that in many cases the soldiers of fortune have actually been called in to help the United Nations. It makes sense for the United Nations to tap into the very large pit of military expertise.

Maybe it is time to give the Mercenaries a new name possibly calling them ‘Warriors’. When we start adding information on Iraq and Afghanistan we might start calling them “Professional Warrior” because that’s exactly what they are.

I would like to thank my friend and former Commando Terry Aspinall for his help; and his opinions on this subject they have been very infuential. If you would like to read more about this subject or see some photos and links why not visit Terry's site below.

Terry Aspinall WARS Soldiers of Fortune

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