Can you be a mercenary in real life?
John Johnson
Updated on April 14, 2026
Today they are called security contractors… Security contractors, commonly called mercenaries, perform security, intelligence, and combat across the globe for money. They can be found in every military hot spot – Afghanistan, Colombia, or Iraq.
How do I become a real life mercenary?
How to Become a Mercenary
- Geneva Convention Article 47. Mercenaries. ...
- Step 1 – Obtain military or law enforcement related experience. ...
- Step 2 – Obtain proficiency in a foreign language. ...
- Step 3 – Get into great physical shape. ...
- Step 4 – Build your resume. ...
- Step 5 – Gather required documentation.
Are there mercenaries in real life?
Private military companies. The private military company (PMC) is the contemporary strand of the mercenary trade, providing logistics, soldiers, military training, and other services.Is it legal to work as a mercenary?
No U.S. law currently restricts or prohibits U.S. persons from serving in a foreign mercenary force. Only the U.S. government is restricted from hiring mercenaries under what is known as the Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893.Can you be a mercenary without military experience?
If you're unable to join the military, you can still provide service to the country as a private military contractor. While many positions require military experience, some private military contractor jobs require no experience in the military. That doesn't mean there aren't hoops to jump through to get those jobs.What's It Like to Be a Mercenary?
Where can I train to be a mercenary?
The choice can be found in the backwoods of Alabama, the mountains of Colorado and the desert of Arizona. It can cost $2,500. It can turn you into a hired assassin or merely bolster a Walter Mitty ego.Do mercenaries get paid well?
Some mercenaries make $500 to $1,500 per day. Interrogators are rumored to make up to $14,000 per week. The salary ranges from $89,000 to $250,000 per year. Employer, experience, expertise, specialty, location, and danger potential ultimately determine the paycheck.Do private armies exist?
private military company (PMC), independent corporation that offers military services to national governments, international organizations, and substate actors. Private military companies (PMCs) constitute an important and deeply controversial element of the privatized military industry.Is private military legal?
Most of time the relation between PMCs and mercenaries or freelance soldiers fighting for money, is questioned by global public opinion. However, mercenaries are banned by international laws while PMCs are considered legal.Is being a mercenary a war crime?
The United States does not view the mere act of being a mercenary as a crime under international law. 57 Thus, mercenaries may be afforded Prisoner of War (POW) status, but only if they meet the requirements thereof—such as being considered a member of the militia or the armed forces of the nation.Who is the deadliest mercenary in the world?
5 of the deadliest mercenary armies throughout history
- The Apiru/Habiru. When the Amarna Letters were discovered, the world was introduced to a group of people the Egyptians called Apiru or, in Akkadian, “Habiru.” ...
- The Ten Thousand. ...
- The Varangian Guard. ...
- The White Company. ...
- Henry MacIver.
What is a modern day mercenary?
In simplest terms, a mercenary is an armed civilian paid to do military operations in a foreign conflict zone. For example, civilians conducting direct actions or training troops in foreign conflict zones are mercenaries because they are performing uniquely military functions.How do I join the private military?
The Process of Becoming a Private Military Contractor
- Step 1: Complete your education. You need a high school diploma or GED to join the military, but getting a college degree will give you an edge over other applicants. ...
- Step 2: Gain security experience. ...
- Step 3: Submit your bids to the DoD for military security work.
What jobs do mercenaries do?
mercenary, hired professional soldier who fights for any state or nation without regard to political interests or issues. From the earliest days of organized warfare until the development of political standing armies in the mid-17th century, governments frequently supplemented their military forces with mercenaries.What skills do you need to be a mercenary?
How to Be a Mercenary:
- Candidates need to be physically fit: ...
- Good knowledge about different foreign languages: ...
- The candidate should be a part of military background: ...
- Sound knowledge about law enforcement: ...
- Must obtain legal documents needed: ...
- Must obtain clear proof of their military experience or certification: