Can I be a mercenary, or Who are the "dogs of war" and "wild geese"?

Many of our fellow citizens seeking employment abroad. And among current and former military (and not only) there are people who are thinking about a career mercenary. What are these well-known "Dogs of War", "Wild Geese" and "soldiers of fortune"?

In many textbooks they write that mercenary army is worse than the army of heroic citizens-patriots. Nevertheless, at all times, various states have resorted to the services of mercenaries.

The foundation was laid in ancient Greece. As a result of the fact that physical education has become a fun, but the number of wars has not decreased, the demand for mercenaries has soared. The army gradually transformed into a professional caste of soldiers mercenaries.

The second period of the mass use of mercenaries was in the later European Middle Ages. The military organization of the army as knights and militia lost its effectiveness in combat, and to organize a regular army in an undeveloped state apparatus and the same economy it was not possible.

In the XX century mercenary peak occurred in 1960-70-ies, when a wave of African liberation revolutions, and a huge number of mutinies and coups requiring new military forces.

While thundered name the most famous mercenary for today - Bob Denard, who repeatedly mentions Frederick Forsyth in his novel "The Dogs of War." On his account about a dozen coups: he fought in the Congo, Nigeria and Angola. In 1975 he tried to commit coup d'etat in Benin, capturing the main airport of the country, together with a group of his soldiers. Three years later, a team of fifty mercenary Denard landed in the Comoros, overthrowing the socialist government of Ali Sualiha and replacing its president, Ahmed Abdallah.

Yet, we return to the day today...

How to start a career Merc? As always, the solution of any problem, there are several ways to solve it.

Way to the first (illegal). You can try to go abroad and get in touch with any of the organizations sense. For example, with an association of ex-soldiers' World - our country is in France. She, incidentally, created and headed by the same Colonel Denard.

Naturally, there is no guarantee that you will be welcomed with open arms. I even bet that you softly and gently explain where to go, and the direction is not very attractive to you. In addition, have all chances to be mistaken with a choice of employer and plunge into the most banal kriminalschinu. And then (if you're lucky the police, not you) - "Goodbye, freedom of the native, for many years!".

Why is this the way I have called "illegal" I think we are not talking. Everything is quite obvious.

The second way (semi-legal). In France, officially work recruiting paragraphs so-called French Foreign Legion (PHIL). This organization is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of France and represents an army composed of citizens of other countries, hired employees. Recruit into its ranks overseas legion prohibited. The French Embassy will explain what is written in the mercenaries can only after leaving France.

Appearing on the levy item, you will pass an interview with an officer from the HR department. " If your training, specialty, etc. options will suit an employer, you can sign a contract for 8 years. So goes up to 60 Russian citizens each year.

Upon completion of the contract you will get citizenship of France and a new French passport in any name. Provided of course that remains alive after some raids into the jungle and provided exemplary performance of duty.

Service in the PHIL attributed to my semi-legal, since it does not violate the laws of France. But in Russia on this issue any lawyer will advise you to get acquainted with the Article 359 of the Criminal Code, which will tell you that the mercenaries in our country is a crime for which you can get up to 7-8 years imprisonment. And under certain conditions - and up to 15.

The third way (with respect to legal). The "rotting in the West" has long there are firms engaged in so-called "service planning and implementation of security and defense activities." Formally, this is a huge security companies. However, their statutes are written so vaguely that allow them to do very, very much. In fact, this private army with its infantry, artillery, and even the navy and air force.

The most famous of them - American Dyncorp (formerly PEA) and the Military Professional Resources Inc., A British company Sandline International (formerly Plaza 107 Ltd.). In Africa, there are about hundreds of private "security firms". A very real way to earn money, because in fact you'll be working a simple guard. However, there is one "but": If the you have to be something to protect, will be war, then most likely you will become a party to the fighting. That is to fight and get paid for it.

In accordance with Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, a mercenary - a person who specially recruited locally or abroad in order to fight in an armed conflict. Mercenary actually take a direct part in hostilities, guided mainly by the desire for private gain, and in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of the parties to the conflict, material compensation. Remuneration significantly in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions with the same number of members of the armed forces of that party.

Since Art. 359 of the Criminal Code is based on the Geneva Convention, then most likely you will either have to hide the truth or go to the "Big House" for up to 7 years.

In order to become a professional soldier, legally, to serve in the Russian army, and then go to the nearest recruitment office and tell their weighty "I want!". Despite the obvious plus of legality, there are many disadvantages, of which we are daily told the media: low salary, lack of actual benefits, housing problems, etc. In addition to all else and insulting nickname "bass" (that's right in our army, soldiers are called contractors).

Many wonder: why are people professionally involved in the war, ready to go again and again anywhere in the world, even if they do not need the money? The answer is simple - the adrenaline. They can not live without it. Bob Denard honestly said that "can not imagine a peaceful existence."

Dear reader! Should not be taken this story as a paean of praise, glorifying the romance of life "dogs of war". The more you should not regard my work as a call to change profession. Please, be sensible. Peace to you!