Do you need to be ex military to be a mercenary?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on April 06, 2026
Mercenaries do more than you think. The majority of these mercenaries are experienced ex-military or ex-law enforcement professionals. The government and global corporations hire private military companies to come to war zones to help train troops, provide security, or perform special missions.
Is it legal to be a mercenary?
Are Mercenaries Legal – the Geneva Convention The 1989 International Convention made the recruitment, use, training, and financing of mercenaries illegal. It also forbids the recruitment of people to fight in an armed conflict or for private gain.
How do you become a military 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:
When did mercenaries stop being used?
1854
But eventually mercenaries were banned. The last time a state used a mercenary army was in 1854, during the Crimean War.
How do I get into security contracting?
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Associate’s or bachelor’s degree may be required |
|---|---|
| Experience | 3-5 years of experience in security or law enforcement may be required |
| Additional Private Security Contractor Requirements | May have to pass background and drug tests; may need liability insurance |
Are there still mercenaries?
There are more mercenaries in the world now than at any time in the past. The US government is the biggest employer of mercenaries; they call them “ Private military contractors”, but under international law and the Geneva Conventions, they’re quite clearly, and indisputably, mercenaries.
How do I get into private military contracting?
The Process of Becoming a Private Military Contractor
- Step 1: Complete your education.
- Step 2: Gain security experience.
- Step 3: Submit your bids to the DoD for military security work.
- Tip #1: Complete your college degree.
- Tip #2: Get basic gun training skills.
Do you have to have military experience to be a mercenary?
If you do have military experience, you’ll be aware of the requirements necessary to perform well in the job. If you don’t have military experience and want to be a mercenary, do your research on the physical requirements of the military and either meet or exceed those standards.
Where can I find an ad for a mercenary?
Due to the nature of the job, you won’t really open your local newspaper and find an ad saying ‘Mercenaries Wanted’; private military contracting – known within military circles as “The Circuit” – is very much a ‘word of mouth’ industry.
Is the mercenary trade regulated by the government?
The present day mercenary trade has evolved over the years from primarily being regulated by the Private Military Companies, PMCs. Such companies specialize in offering soldiers, logistics, military training, and other services to civil entities, government groups, and international agencies.
Can a PMC be used as a mercenary?
If the employees of PMCs are used in the pro-active model, then they are labeled as mercenaries and can be open to other lawsuits and sanctions depending on the nature of the work accomplished by their professionals. But, the United Nations still continue to officially disapprove professionals from the PMCs.
