According to historians, the first armies appeared during the time of Carthage and ancient rome. The militias and slave militia were replaced by professional mercenary soldiers. Those received a salary for their work, and to maintain discipline, the leadership resorted to physical coercion. In our days, the finest hour has come for mercenary armies. It has become a business both for the creators of such formations and for the military themselves. How do you become a mercenary? What personal qualities and skills should the applicant have? This article will help answer these questions.

What are the advantages of private armies?

As experts say, mercenaries and private military companies (PMCs) can successfully earn money regardless of settlement agreements. For example, if on the territory of a country the movement of regular armies of other states is limited, then the PMC operates freely. A private army, having concluded a contract, goes to a foreign country and performs a wide range of tasks there. It can be security work, but most often professional mercenaries fight for one of the warring parties. They can also be used to overthrow the political regime. There would be money, but there will always be highly professional military men.

Various PMCs are suitable for those who, having been in "hot spots" and returning to the "citizen", could not adapt to peaceful life. Questions of how to become a mercenary and what is required for this are also of interest to those who simply want to earn money. This category of people is absolutely indifferent for whom to fight.

About private military companies

According to experts, many PMCs work closely with the intelligence services of the United States and Great Britain, as well as other Western countries. With the help of mercenary armies, weapons are purchased and military specialists are trained. The basis of the military-industrial complex of the United States is precisely PMCs: mercenaries serve the army, participate in the development of new weapons and help power civil services.

The very first such company Vinnell Corporation was created in America in 1931. During World War II, she defended the interests of the US Army. It also operated in Africa and the Middle East. The company was officially listed as a construction company. However, in addition to the construction of military facilities, employees were involved in military operations and reconnaissance raids. Vinnell Corporation trained National Guard soldiers for Saudi Arabia, opposed the rebels in Mecca. Today, the tasks performed by PMCs are clearly divided. For example, oil facilities are guarded by Erinys Irag Limited and XE Services, PMC Kroll fighters escort convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan. Caci supplies qualified military interpreters and KBR provides troops.

In Russia, PMCs appeared later. After the collapse of the USSR, many military specialists were reduced. Some were not satisfied with the low salary and general disorder. Mercenaries acquired an industrial scale in the 1990s. Today, several PMCs operate in Russia, offering very specific services to customers. The most famous Russian private armies are Wagner PMC, Tiger Rent Security, E.N.O.T. CORP, PMC IDA, Cossacks, Moran Security Group. "Soldiers of Fortune" are hired to guard facilities, escort cargo, train security officials, and also to fight pirates.

How do they become PMC mercenaries? About the requirements for the applicant

Is it possible for a random unemployed citizen or a pensioner who decides to improve his financial situation to become a mercenary? According to experts, of course, this category does not shine in PMCs. For this work, not to mention the moral ones, special physical and psychological qualities are required. A potential PMC employee must meet the following requirements:

• Be no older than 45 years old. Young people from 25 years old are recruited into PMCs.
• The applicant must be at least 175 cm, in good physical shape.
• If a young person has bad habits (addiction to alcohol, drugs, drugs, etc.), then he will be denied admission.

Those wishing to work in PMCs should be prepared that they can be sent to any climatic region.

On the moral side

Very often, the question of how they become mercenaries is asked by previously convicted citizens. According to experts, this category definitely does not become employees of PMCs. Do not be a mercenary and a person with an already extinguished conviction. They will also refuse admission to the military if he is dismissed from the armed forces under a discrediting article.

Strict rules are due to the fact that such people, as psychologists are convinced, tend to disobey or violate discipline. If a young man has an impeccably clean reputation, but he is related to terrorists, then he will not be accepted either.

About psychological criteria

The best mercenary is the one with a balanced psyche and resistance to stress. In addition, the "soldier of fortune" must be attentive, responsible and conscientious. Since not only his life, but also the success of the whole business will depend on how skillfully he copes with his duties. Nobody will let him work carelessly. Since in PMCs all adults and already psychologically formed people, they will not re-educate a negligent fighter.

A private mercenary will have to work in very harsh conditions with physical and psychological stress. Therefore, if there are any diseases in which "strain" is contraindicated, then it is better not to go to PMCs. In addition to high endurance, the "soldier of fortune" must be able to adapt and quickly restore their strength.

Who is this job for?

According to experts, private military companies mainly hire officers with extensive combat experience. The presence of military awards is welcome. The leaders of military operations are also out of turn.

This job is for those who good training contract servicemen, military graduates educational institutions, reserve security officers, combat veterans and candidates with any unique military specialties. Given the specifics of work in PMCs, preference is given to unmarried applicants.

Education

Of course, having arrived at the PMC, the newcomer already has a certain military specialty and level of training. However, in modern world one specialty is not enough. For this reason, according to experts, even experienced military men are subject to retraining at the expense of a private company. Employees are trained in various disciplines, both classical and narrowly focused, taking into account the characteristics of the country in which they will have to work. "Soldier of Fortune" is introduced to modern technology, information systems, etc.

Instructors are trained to shoot from different types weapons, perform combat missions with the help of Vehicle(driving at night, avoiding collisions, serpentine driving, transfer control, emergency brakes and turns, avoid accidents, shoot on the move, etc.). In addition, mercenaries are taught how to destroy ambushes, escort and guard various cargoes, and work in extreme conditions.

Unlike foreign private military companies, Russian personnel are selected more carefully. According to experts, foreign PMCs are multinational, while only citizens of the Russian Federation can get into Russian ones. The armies also differ in professional level fighters. Employees of foreign PMCs are trained by Western instructors. It is not uncommon for local residents to become mercenaries. There is no language barrier in communication between such “soldiers of fortune”, they know the area and customs well, and most importantly, they are not very demanding on payment.

Finally

Since a private military company is a serious commercial structure, its management requires employees to comply with certain rules. For example, a "soldier of fortune" signs documents on non-disclosure of various secrets and information about the employer. Also in the contract there is a clause stating that the mercenary must obey his leadership. If the conditions are violated by the employee, then the employer unilaterally terminates the contract ahead of schedule. There will be nothing good for the “soldier of fortune”: he will not receive the promised money, and he will have to return home from the mission on his own.

1. According to the “First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention” of 1949, the definition of the term “mercenary” is as follows: a person specially recruited to fight in a specific conflict. He takes a direct part in the fighting. His participation in hostilities is caused solely by the desire to receive the material reward promised to him, which significantly exceeds the remuneration of a military man of the same rank and performing the same functions, but who is in the ranks of the armed forces of the country involved in the conflict. He must not be a citizen of the country of the employer and must not represent the interests of a country not involved in the conflict.

2. In 1961, immediately after the declaration of its independence, the Congo was plunged into the abyss of civil war. The reason was the announcement of the separation of the province of Katanga, in which the most famous diamond mines and copper mines were concentrated. The self-proclaimed minister Moise Tshombe began to recruit an army, the main striking force of which was mercenaries from England and France. The bloody meat grinder that ensued made names for many mercenaries and demonstrated that anyone who is able to hire a couple of hundred professional military men can become the president of, for example, an African republic.

3. Bob Denard, who was nicknamed "the last pirate" - perhaps the most famous contract soldier of the 20th century. His soldiers of fortune, who called themselves les affreux (terrible), were noted in the Congo, Yemen, Benin, Nigeria, Gabon and Angola. In 1978, Denard and his guys returned the first president of the republic, Ahmed Abdallah, to power in the Comoros. After that, Bob Denard was at the head of the presidential guard for 10 years. Thanks to his efforts, Comoros became a real paradise for mercenaries. Bob himself became the largest owner on the islands, converted to Islam and started a harem. However, after the assassination of Ahmed Abdallah in 1989, Denard was urgently evacuated to France. And when in 1995 he returned to the Comoros with the aim of a new coup, he was captured by the paratroopers of the French Foreign Legion. At home, the last pirate became a defendant in several criminal cases at once. However, he was never punished, as he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Bob Denard passed away in 2007.

4. As a result of the bloody events in the Congo from the 1960s to the 1970s, the reputation of real bandits and cutthroats was fixed for the mercenaries. Of course, such accusations were based on some grounds, since the soldiers of fortune practiced robbery, robbery and torture. But, at the same time, the contractors themselves were horrified by what other participants in African conflicts were doing. A vivid proof of this is the common practice among the Chombovites - to boil their prisoners alive. And the Simba opposing them did practice cannibalism.

5. Mike Hoare, nicknamed the Mad Irishman, fought in the ranks of British tank units in North Africa during World War II. And after the end of the war, he arranged a safari for tourists. But in 1961, he led the Commando 4 squad, which consisted of professional thugs. After serving the contract, he returned to South Africa, but in 1964, having gone to the Congo, he was almost immediately hired by Prime Minister Chombo to suppress the Simba uprising. For these purposes, a detachment of "Commando 5" was formed. In carrying out the task, Hoare ran into Che Guevara himself, who had come to Africa to raise a revolution. However, the Cubans proved unable to resist the Raging Irishman's commandos. Che Guevara fled Africa, and dozens of captured Cubans were hanged. Hoare also took part in Operation Dragon over the Congo, which resulted in the release of hundreds of white hostages. After a failed coup attempt in the Seychelles, Hoare was arrested and put on trial. After leaving prison, the Mad Irishman tempered his ardor and retired.

6. In 1980, the film “Dogs of War” based on the work of the same name by Frederick Forsythe, was released on cinema screens. In this tape, noble white "soldiers of fortune" give peace and tranquility to the black population of Africa. Around the same time, a movie with a similar plot called "Wild Geese" was released. The main character is the noble Colonel Faulkner. It is believed that Mike Hoare served as a prototype for him, who, by the way, acted as a consultant for the tape. All this, despite the efforts of UN lawyers and various propagandists, made mercenaries in the eyes of the public real adventurer heroes who were forced to bear the burden of a white man.

7. Evidence that a mercenary should be a professional, and not a high-society loafer, was an incident in Equatorial Guinea. Zimbabwean intelligence agencies managed to uncover a coup plot and detain a group of mercenaries involved in it, which included the son of the late Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher, as well as Lord Archer and oil tycoon Eli Kalil. But thanks to connections and money, they all managed to get off with symbolic terms, and Mark Thatcher was completely sent home under the supervision of his mother.

8. The decline of traditional mercenarism marked the trial of contractors who were captured in Angola in the 1970s. This process had a clearly expressed political background and fit into the context of the Cold War, since the authorities of this country were supported by the USSR and its satellites. This process was intended to expose Angola as a victim of attacks Western intelligence agencies. The accusing side spoke of how the evil Yankees soldered and seduced African peasants and the military with big money and used them to war with their brethren. The result was the death penalty for three mercenaries and long prison terms for twenty others.

9. In the early 90s, when cold war ended, and in Africa, at the very least, the formation of national armies began, it became clear to the mercenaries that legal customers in the person of states, corporations and international organizations are much more profitable than crazy dictators. In this regard, a trend began to transfer important military functions to outsourcing to private military companies, which, in turn, ceased to be thugs hung with weapons, turning into respectable businessmen.

10. PMCs first demonstrated themselves in Sierra Leone, where government troops suffered one defeat after another at the hands of the Revolutionary United Front, and the UN still could not form a peacekeeping force. The government decided to hire for $60 million a private military company, Executive Outcomes, created in South Africa and consisting exclusively of former special forces. Company employees in as soon as possible a light infantry battalion was formed, which was equipped with recoilless guns, armored personnel carriers, mortars and cover helicopters. The results did not have to wait long, after two weeks the anti-government forces were completely defeated. However, after the expiration of the contract, the government considered that the deed was done, and did not renew it. This was a big mistake. The civil war broke out with new force. And peacekeepers, who were recruited from African states, have already set to work. The activities of such "official" units cost more than $500 million a year, but did not bring any results. Therefore, the government again turned to Executive Outcomes, which now also had to save the UN forces.

11. Since the end of the 20th century, private military companies began to provide services not only of a directly military nature. So, in Afghanistan, mercenaries are engaged in the maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles that carry out reconnaissance. Through joint efforts, US troops and PMC leaders managed to create a single command center. In Iraq, Halliburton provides US troops fuel and food. Along with this, private traders are also involved in training local police and border guards. Moreover, about forty contractors from DynCorp are in the protection of Afghan President Hamir Karzai. And American officials working in Iraq are guarded by representatives of the British PMC Global Risk Strategies.

12. In the United States, any firm engaged in such activities is required to obtain permission from the State Department or the Department of Defense before entering into a contract with a foreign government, however, contracts with individuals or foreign corporations are not regulated in this way, and remain on the conscience of the PMC management. That is why transnational corporations often resort to the services of such organizations to protect their oil pipelines and industrial facilities located in the zone of a particular conflict. Along with them, the help of mercenaries is often used by such eminent public organizations like World Wildlife, which made contact to protect rhinos from poachers in the Congo. And even the Red Cross organization hires PMC employees to protect their people in hot spots.

Syria is a state where for 5 years the Civil War. Because of this fact this country has ceased to be in demand among foreigners who want to earn money. Today, many of its inhabitants are leaving Syria, seeking asylum in neighboring countries and

Due to the occurrence conflict situations on the territory of Syria, many foreign nationals do not want to go there to work, even though this state is not poor and is able to offer migrant workers very good wages. But, unfortunately, today most of the vacancies are concentrated in the military sphere.

As you know, not so long ago, Russia became a defendant in this war. Therefore, many Russian citizens are employed to work in Syria at military bases under a contract.

For employment in Syria military base Russians must necessarily conclude a contract.

The conclusion of the contract is possible only after passing the following procedures:

• Initially, all applicants for such vacancies are tested for professional suitability.

• Then all applicants must undergo a mandatory medical examination, which must confirm that the person who wants to get a job at a military base has no health problems.

The medical examination consists of 2 parts:

1. Initially determined physical health applicant.
2. After that, the applicant is required to undergo psychological tests.

• Each applicant is checked by special authorities for a criminal record. Employees are checking Federal Service Security Russian Federation.

Employment process

After passing all the necessary procedures, a contract is concluded with the applicant for a period of at least 6 months. The contract stipulates that the contractor is assigned to a certain military base, gets the opportunity for career growth with the proper performance of his duties. The contract also states that the employee has the right to retrain and retrain for a new military specialization.

How to find a job

You can find contract work in Syria through Internet portals. Many job sites offer Russian men similar vacancies.

But it is best to contact the military commissariat at the place of actual residence and write a statement confirming the desire to go to work in Syria. After writing the application, the applicant will need to wait at least 3 months. During this time, a special commission decides on sending a person to this hot spot.

If a person does not have a military specialty, then he will most likely be refused.

If the conclusion of the commission was in favor of the applicant, then he is sent for medical commission.

Wage

The salary level of a contractor working in the Syrian Arab Republic depends on factors such as:

1. Military rank.
2. military specialization.
3. The role of a contract soldier in conducting military operations on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic.
4. The term of the employment contract.
5. The presence of awards and distinctions from a contractor.

On average, the salary of a military man under the contract is 200,000 rubles. If the Russian military has awards or great experience hostilities, then his salary will exceed the specified amount.

Officers earn on average up to 300,000 rubles a month. In addition to the basic salary, they receive additional payments and bonuses.

The salary of pilots reaches 400,000 rubles. But it is also worth noting that the level of salaries of fighter pilots depends on the number of sorties and the result of the operation.

Working conditions

According to the contract, all employees of military bases are provided with food and accommodation for the period of service. Also, the soldiers are fully provided with the necessary clothing and military equipment. In addition to the above, they are also provided medical care and all necessary medicines.

Often, many military personnel live in so-called military camps, which are fully equipped with everything you need. On the territory of the camp there are not only living quarters, but also workshops designed for repair and maintenance of equipment.

Typically, camps are located at a distance of at least 300 kilometers from hostilities. This location allows you to make the accommodation of military personnel safe.

If a serviceman dies during hostilities, then his family is paid monetary compensation in the amount of 2 million rubles.

Only the next of kin can receive the payment: parents, spouse or children.

The funeral is financed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

Civilian specialties in Syria

In addition to the military, Syria is recruiting hairdressers, cooks, and repairmen. Representatives of civilian specialties are considered to be workers who work on military bases, but do not have a military specialty.

Hairdressers working at a military base earn up to 120,000 rubles a month on average. A similar salary for sellers and drivers.

Only a person with at least 3 years of work experience can get a job as a hairdresser in Syria. The same applies to sellers. The seller must know the cash register.

Drivers are subject to more stringent requirements:

1. No bad habits.
2. Availability military rank.
3. Driving license category C and B.

The activities of mercenaries, as a rule, are illegal or semi-legal. They do not like mercenaries, because they earn their bread at the cost of blood, mostly someone else's. There is an article in Russian legislation providing for a prison term of up to 7 years for such work. There are similar articles in the legislation of many other countries. Nevertheless, mercenaries are not getting smaller; many regimes are willingly resorting to their services.

To become a mercenary, it is necessary, at a minimum, to own some kind of sought-after military profession. Real combat experience is highly valued. Many mercenaries know each other personally and keep in touch. Therefore, they easily come together when another conflict arises. A person without a reputation, military profession and combat experience is usually not needed by anyone.

However, all mercenaries start somewhere. The easiest and worst option is to simply illegally go to the next war. If the rookie is lucky and doesn't get caught or imprisoned, he has a chance to get to the war zone. Then he can only hope that he will be able to survive and gain the necessary experience. There is no need to talk about earnings in this situation, no one will pay good money to such a person. Most likely, you will have to fight for food and lodging, and it’s good if you manage to save something for the way back.

If the mercenary has military profession and knows English language, he has a chance to use the services of one of the foreign offices recruiting people to provide security services. For example, American Military Professional Resources Inc., Dyncorp or British Sandline International. You may be offered a job as a security guard in some third world country, but it is quite possible that this is just a convenient cover and in fact you will have to take part in one of local conflicts.

This option can be considered the most successful, since it will be possible not only to gain experience, but also to prove oneself in a certain way. Having shown himself well, a newcomer can receive an invitation to another contract. From that moment begins his real career as a mercenary.

It must be understood that mercenaries, as a rule, are attracted not by the money they can get, but by the way of life characteristic of the "wild geese". Most of them are simply not interested in a gray dull life from paycheck to paycheck, they prefer war to it. Many of them do not have families and do not build any illusions about their future, living for today. It is unlikely that these people should be blamed, but there is no point in admiring them. Everyone in this world lives the way they can and the way they want.

PMC is an abbreviation for the term "private military company". These organizations are military, they carry out the full range of work related to military clashes: they provide communications, security, they can become participants in an armed conflict, and they can also prepare or repair military equipment.

The only difference between the PMC and the national army is that it is not based on the compulsory conscription of privates and is not a state one. At the heart of attracting to such a service is the contract method. Employees of companies enter the service under a contract, which clearly states the amount for participation in actions in hot spots or for military support. Most often, foreigners join companies, for example, in Syria, non-Syrians will be the participants.

At the moment, PMCs are gradually replacing regular armies. Employees of private companies are more motivated, while not interested in conflict from an ideological or political point of view, they cannot be disappointed and forced to flee the destruction of their ideals. Mercenaries are more reliable, prepared and interested in military operations. Therefore, the practice of creating PMCs is spreading around the world and begins to affect even Russia.

The history of the creation of such armies

First private military organization appeared in England in the last century, in 1967. It was founded by an employee of Her Majesty's army and involved in military conflicts on Middle East and in Africa. Until now, these zones remain relevant, because the clashes in them do not stop.

Gradually, companies began to appear in other countries. The most active growth has occurred since the 1990s, when the conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq escalated. The number of privateers grew and in the 90s in Iraq they already accounted for 1% of all infantrymen. There are own private companies in such developed countries as the USA, Canada and many others. The question remains: when will they appear in Russia?

Find out: How to get into the special forces marines Russian Federation, who serves there

Situation in Russia

At the moment, it is not yet officially allowed to open military companies in the Russian Federation, so there is actually no mercenary army in Russia. However, this does not stop some entrepreneurs: such private organizations as PMC Wagner, Tiger Top-Rent Security are being created. They continue to operate on the territory of the Russian Federation, since they are mostly security and do not get involved in serious conflicts, but now the trend of companies is such that they are gradually moving to a more aggressive level and are ready to show themselves already in serious firing points.

A bill has now been submitted to the State Duma for consideration, according to which Russian private armies can become completely legal. In this case, they will receive permission to conduct fighting and become a full-fledged analogue of Western organizations. The issue should be resolved by the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin.

The public is concerned about this statement, because the presence of the armed forces, which obey any orders for money, is frightening. However, according to the bill, all armed activities will be regulated. Private armies simply will not be able to disturb the civil peace of the inhabitants of the Russian Federation, since they will be redirected to other countries: to Iraq to protect oil pipelines or to Syria for military operations. This is a common practice - almost all PMCs operate outside their homeland.

Activity Options

Commercial organizations are engaged not only in providing military support, they can also carry out other activities:

Find out: Which call is best to go to serve: in autumn or spring

In Russia, commercial armies perform any kind of work, except for participation in hostilities.

How can you get there

Mercenary army of Russia - how to get into its ranks? The procedure for entering a PMC is similar to the contract service algorithm. A candidate who likes a private army in Russia must provide guarantees and evidence of his military knowledge. Typically, a pre-application screening consists of:

• medical examination;
• training tests;
• psychological test.