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Mercenary medals

Yes, that's my long held understanding too. It's governed by French law iirc and I'm pretty sure they do swear allegiance and have decorations, among other more mainstream military doctrine. The one difference is you don't have to be a national. I think. I wonder what google will have to say about it?
 
Eloquently put, bryan. I agree with Chaser, though, concerning campaign ribbons. It would be a way to spot the really grizzled veterans over the just grizzled veterans.

But, would mercs really have a dress uniform? I mean, besides the top folks in a unit (the ones who would normally meet with clients). A really big outfit like the Slammers might, but I wouldn't imagine most of the smaller groups bothering with that.
 
^ Guys, think of the real world:

- Mercs don't even have standardized working uniforms unless they happen to shop at the same supplier or come from the same country's army (or they are outfitted by their employers). Normally they wear what they like or find comfortable.

- Mercs don't have standardized weapons (unless outfitted by their employers) and tend to use what they like best or what they are used to.

- Merc units don't stay together very long and are pooled when needed or contracts are readily available (unless under government contract or similar long term engagement). Good mercs are prohibitively expensive when not needed, are in high demand when needed, and tend to go to the highest bidder unless reputations conflict.

- As Bryan stated, mercs survive on reputation and experience; very few old, bold mercs. The phonies and the posers are easily spotted and avoided by the veterans.

You can have spit and polish mercenary units in YTU but I don't think they reflect the reality of the business they are in. Hired killers are hired killers; dressing them up nice and giving them medals doesn't change the job description.
 
Originally posted by Ran Targas:
^ Guys, think of the real world:

- Mercs don't even have standardized working uniforms unless they happen to shop at the same supplier or come from the same country's army (or they are outfitted by their employers). Normally they wear what they like or find comfortable.

- Mercs don't have standardized weapons (unless outfitted by their employers) and tend to use what they like best or what they are used to.

- Merc units don't stay together very long and are pooled when needed or contracts are readily available (unless under government contract or similar long term engagement). Good mercs are prohibitively expensive when not needed, are in high demand when needed, and tend to go to the highest bidder unless reputations conflict.

- As Bryan stated, mercs survive on reputation and experience; very few old, bold mercs. The phonies and the posers are easily spotted and avoided by the veterans.

You can have spit and polish mercenary units in YTU but I don't think they reflect the reality of the business they are in. Hired killers are hired killers; dressing them up nice and giving them medals doesn't change the job description.
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All good points and all true for 20th century Terra. But if you like back you can see other styles of mercenary unit; the Hessians who fought in the American War of Independance, the Swiss in the 16th century, the Varangian guard of the Byzantine empire. All of these can be used as models for sci-fi merc units and they are all equally valid.
The corporate guard force is a good example. Most corporations would want a certain uniformity in their employees and would certainly equip them to a uniform standard, possibly even dress uniforms. I agree with your view of mercenaries, but Traveller leaves a lot of room for other valid views.
 
Originally posted by Bhoins:


A Military unit without History and Tradition isn't a military unit it is an armed mob. (And will behave as such.)
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__________________________________________________
YES! :D
This is why in MTU I have developed at least one mercenary organization that has history, traditions, decorations and discipline.
They all wear the same uniform when not on missions or on duty to express esprit de corps.
The medals seperate the junior veterans from the senior veterans (because anybody can have any "rank" according to their abilities). ;)

While on missions they wear whatever the mission perameters require or allow, within their personal tasets and needs. Their armament is always mission specific, therefore it is not always uniform. :cool:

Of course this is just one organization from a universe with hundreds. This is my personal favorite and the largest in MTU. They have the power (Credits) to do as they chose.
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Ran Targas, I think both the real world and Traveller support a few models.

In my mind what Traveller calls Mercenaries are more like the Foreign Legion model or some high quality for hire outfits. Professional soldiers with all that goes with it, including uniforms, standard issue and discipline.

The Soldier of Fortune model, of loners with no want for uniforms, limited choice of tools, or discipline; better describe most PC groups in my experience. Call them ex-Mercenaries if that was their background.

The professionals will not only accept but desire stadardized weapons for reasons of supply. They will be more lenient about individuals having personal choice in some weapons but it will be up to that individual to supply it and maintain it, and they'll still be issued the standard and required to be competant with it and field it. Their personal choice(s) will be in addition to it and had better not negatively impact their performance on assignment.

Again how long a unit stays together will again depend on the model. The professionals will have contracts since it costs time and money to form and employ the unit. They need to recoup the investment before they'll want to let you go. They may hire short-timers, but these will be mostly locals. Militia at best, cannon fodder at worst.

My Soldiers of Fortune model again seems to better fit your concept of short time gun for hire. Individuals attacted by the promise of a fast cred for doing what they are good at (shooting things). No unit cohesion, little trust between each other beyond getting paid, for which you need to be alive so you watch each others backs but look out for Number 1 first.

Your "good mercs" are what I call Mercenaries in Traveller. The ones that are properly accredited and hired through regular channels. Like the mercs in Hammer's Slammers.

There are hired killers and then there are hired soldiers. Respectable mercenaries, in the form of hired soldiers have been in use throughout history, as have hired killers. The two are very different of course. It's my opinion that Traveller Mercenaries are of the more professional hired soldiers type, while most PC's would fit in the hired killers type.

But vive la differance, mtu, ytu, it's all got a place.
 
^ I guess it depends on the grit of YTU; IMTU mercs tend to hoard their pay or waste it on liberty ports, not spend it on uniforms and the like.

I agree that an employer may provide uniforms and uniform weapons for specific operations or long term contracts (corporate security, reinforcing regular forces, special operations, etc.), but if operating on their own, these groups would probably resort to their personal gear. They may even be outfitted in enemy or third party livery to ensure confusion in the enemy ranks when they are deployed.

One thing to keep in mind is that mercs in their own rag tag gear allow a certain amount of deniability for the employer where as unit patches and uniforms are easily traceable.

^ I also agree with the concept that merc units must be marketable. You must dress for success.

If you are hunting for a cushy "protect the heir to the ..." gig, then you better look the part; spit and polish, lots of geedunk (showy medals).

If you are looking to contract your unit to a planetary government as ready reserve, you better look and act squared away and bring your best equipment at the "dog and pony show".

If you are showing up at a hot LZ to extract a lost "military advisor" from an enemy stronghold, you better be dressed for business.
 
In reply to various bits:

Bryan:

Dead on. Your observation about my comments on medals being somewhat simplistic - it was a two line summary of a real life situation. Overly simplified goes without saying, but still isn't far off. I've studied the winners of VCs and CMHs as well as other awards. Many of them were just in the wrong place at the right time. They just did their job. Now, it could be heroic if others were buggering off. It is heroic when the odds are considered. But for a lot of them, by the time the situation got badly out of hand, there weren't too many options. They did what they had to to stay alive and get the job done. OTOH, you read of many other cases historians uncover which sound equally impressive, or might had anyone survived to tell the tale. The observer is an important an integral part of medal awards. I'm sure a lot of folks did equally heroic things but didn't get noticed. Sometimes medals are awarded for silly things (some nations have medals for just about anything). Sometimes you just about have to die to get one. Sometimes politics directs the awarding. Sometimes the award is prevented by racism, favoritism, or politics. Sometimes the medal is awarded to a soldier, just to motivate the entire unit (I think of Patton here).

As to repute, I think *that* is probably more important to Mercs. If Mercs were to give medals, it would be inside the unit and only those inside would know the details generally. But that'd have some traction, especially if they were awarded not just by the CO but by the unit as a whole. Reputation is a form of traction for a merc, but should probably couple with economic incentives.

Ran:

All valid points for modern mercenaries, though there have been some surprising discussions about the idea of the UN using mercenaries - that is to say paid professional soldiers who would be on call as needed and not have divided loyalties. They might well make some of the best folks for interventions or peacekeeping, if well trained and equiped and paid decently. The OTU has lots of latitude for other types of mercenaries than just the 'ad hoc' rabble. Also, corporate forces and some standing military units (that base on a Swiss mercenary pike or FFL model) related to nations may be 'rental forces'.

Chaser:

Different sorts of forces undoubtedly exist throughout the OTU/3I. There probably are units like the Canadians raised during WWI - privately raised, funded, and led, but under the nominal authority and direction of a nation. The FFL, for instance, also has interesting traditions. And the Germans of WW2 had a number of what boiled down to foreign legions (I think they had Eastern European ones, they definitely had some Scandinavian ones, etc).

Generally:

Mercenaries have a variety of motivations. Reading one book about FFL will tell you that. I've read about Mercs from Xenophon to the modern era (Sandline, etc). There are all sorts of reasons one ends up a mercenary and quite a variety of formations and traditions. What I don't see, except in fiction, is glitzy 'action hero' guys festooned with glitzy firearms and silly camouflage schemes. Yes, if you like them in a game, you can certainly have them. But you don't see many in real life. If they are posers, they tend to get killed in the first real fight.

One thing that tends to be true is mercs tend to think of maybe retiring to do something else. Not all of them - some can't imagine doing anything else. But even a lot of the ones that choose the life, after seeing the reality of a couple of jobs, will want out. That sort of life, especially on rough tickets, is not for everyone. This is part of why I say financial remuneration is the best kind. A 'gong' is nice, but a fat bankroll is better. It buys beer, companionship, and perhaps an early retirement. Or better kit. Or whatever... but it is a 'solid' acknowledgement. It isn't just a cheap way to try to say 'good job' without putting in any sheckels and hearns. Remember, with experienced mercenaries money talks, BS walks.

I can't help but think of Joel Rosenberg's fictional Metzadan Mercenary unit... sort of space Israelis. They gave out a medal for long service, and it was very unpopular, because the old veterans called it a 'Forget Me Not' sarcastically, as it meant they were being put out to pasture. If you can get 'Not for Glory' and 'Hero', they're good Merc SF. I also recommend Shelley's Dirigent Mercenary Corps books (Cadet, Lt, Capt, Maj, Col). And Pournelle's Mercenary, of course.

In essence, there are room (probably a great need) for all manner of mercs IYTU. No one model should fit all situations. That's part of the variety of life in a TU.
 
I believe that the movie "Troy" also shows a mercenary unit lead by Achillies. They are all dressed and equiped similarily.

Now is this history truth or historical fiction?
 
well, regarding uniformity...

Large merc outfits that have been diuscussed here were the FFL, Germanies Outlander units, Hessians and so on...these were nationally supported units. Mercenary in that they were not regular troops, but in most respects like the FFL...funded, supported, and operated like a regular out fit.

Exectutive Outcomes and Sandline are great examples of privitized forces, and lets not forget Halliburtons security arm, either.

In essence, what I'm getting at is they all support a uniform standard as well as kit and dress, for the reasons of logistics, just as would any large unit.

Individual mercs will certainly have their own weapons, but will generally also have the following considerations:

Most missions that require mission specific gear, kit, or weapons typically have that cost embedded in the contract. This will follow a standard, generally along these lines: all weapons to an agreed standard, generally the same weapon like ACR common to all. Same for ammo, for obvios reasons. Often the weapon of choice is predicated on expense, ammo considerations ( all 5.58mm, for example) and all the same (M16 or AK) for reasons of magazine exchangibility.

most mercs in smaller units will for this reason have their weapons as the only real standard of uniformity.Larger units ( refer above) wil have their own uniforms and standards just like regular units- their primary differences being in their deployment.

Individuals in the market tend to wear in the field anything from denims to mixed camos to whatever.They are paid typically by folks that can't afford better for their own troops much less their merc employees, as often as not.

Kaladorn - no dispute on your points. Again, while it was simplistic, your'e right- two lines is hardly conclusive. However, all the points you raised are ones I can agree with. Very well stated.

Overall, I tend to think even within larger established units, if there are medals they would be few. In the Traveller paradigm, some of these units would be so large as to have their own traditions and medals, ribbons, etc.

Note: the Spanish and French Foriegn Legions awarded medals from their respective armies, which they were nominally ( at least) a part of.

However, private units ( I can't bespeak EO or Sandline, but I expect they are like Halliburton) award Fitness reports, raises and bennies for good performance. Company memos and announcements, maybe?

Smaller units, of course, could care less...word of mouth is the game here.
 
Originally posted by bryan gibson:
Large merc outfits that have been diuscussed here were the FFL, Germanies Outlander units, Hessians and so on...these were nationally supported units. Mercenary in that they were not regular troops, but in most respects like the FFL...funded, supported, and operated like a regular out fit.
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The Canadian cases from WWI are interesting though - here people like Timothy Eaton and Lord Strathcona raised *mostly at their own expense* units that they equiped but which got subsumed into the national army during the war, sometimes with minor or moderate re-equipping (converting cavalry to armoured cars, for instance). In the case of Eaton, he did big things for anyone injured or who served or who was killed (for the families). So these were not really paid for by the state, but they fought for the state.



In essence, what I'm getting at is they all support a uniform standard as well as kit and dress, for the reasons of logistics, just as would any large unit.
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This is the point. Any large unit that can afford to will (cultural reasons perhaps withstanding) harmonize logistics for efficiencies.

Some 'warrioresque' cultures may have merc units that do have individual differentiation in kit, willing to live with the logistical issues.

In other cases, their will be 'issue' gear, and then mercs with other resources (or those forces to find them when company resources aren't enough) will supplement with their own gear.

Let me give you a non-Merc real world example. I knew a Vietnam Vet - 3 tours, one as military police, two infantry. He explained to me about all the problems they had with the M-16. So they tended to acquire other gov't issue weapons: M3 grease guns, .45 Thompson (quite popular), M-14, etc. Then someone found out and they were of course supposed to be using the jam-jam-alot M-16. He told me they cleaned them often 4 times a day, and in a firefight there would be a clear lull where the M-16s started to go out of service. He explained the M-60 gunner used to take up the slack because that's when the enemy (being no idiot) would push. Anyway, some brass hats found out about the use of other issue weapons from prior times, and confiscated them all. But the problems with the M16 had not gone. So other solutions were required. Soldiers 'acquired' other weapons. My friend had his family send him a Remington pump action. They actually shipped him ammo in boxes from home as part of his regular mailings. He carried this to supplement the M-16.

So, that's the kind of thing you'd see with Mercs. If issue had 'issues' or issue was sparse, they'd pick up their own kit from somewhere. In a different but related vein, wealthy mercs could well buy extra things like advanced optics or NVGs, better than standard fatigues (smart fabrics), body armour, etc. They'd still *mostly* look uniform, but they'd have extra bits. Not to be flashy, but to make the dirty, sweaty, dangerous job easier or safer.


performance. Company memos and announcements, maybe?
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Why can I see a wall in the front office of the Merc unit with plaques reading 'Mercenary of the Month: Sgt. John Williams, 1st Pltn, 3 Sqd' and the like....?
 
Here is a bit on a Mercenary Unit, with a bit of history that is far from the scruffy, everyman for himself, all for the almighty dollar, swiss franc or whatever, image of the modern Mercenary. And they happen to be modern Mercenaries. (Go figure.) As for short term affiliations? The unit has about 500 years of unit history.


Swiss Mercenaries
 
Bhoins,

I never stated that mercenary companies couldn't have long and prestigious histories, just that modern mercenaries tend not to belong to groups like that because of the the nature of their business. Organized mercenary units are economical only when they are gainfully employed. IMTU, this is the model I tend to follow for 98% of my mercenaries.

The Vatican's Swiss Guard are an unique and special case. But they do make an excellent example of a mercenary unit on a long term contract with the previously prescribed uniforms, medals, spit and polish, organized training, and the like. And they are trained well in modern weapons and tactics, to be atleast as capable as your typical special warfare unit. But this is not the kind of mercenary unit you're going to come into contact with during a bush war in central Africa. The Swiss Guard are more a kin to corporate security than hired guns.

But even in the case of corporate security, the longevity of an individual in these organizations is not measured in decades or sometimes even years. The resumes for most of these individuals read like a historical listing all of recent bush wars, live fire zones, and civil conflicts. These guys tend to be recruited heavily by whatever company has been awarded the contract this time around. When the contract expires, they find new work with another company or go on sabbatical, living on their healthy stipends until needed again.

Again, it depends on how dark and gritty YTU is. Mine is very dark and dirty.
 
Originally posted by Ran Targas:
Bhoins,

I never stated that mercenary companies couldn't have long and prestigious histories, just that modern mercenaries tend not to belong to groups like that because of the the nature of their business. Organized mercenary units are economical only when they are gainfully employed. IMTU, this is the model I tend to follow for 98% of my mercenaries.

The Vatican's Swiss Guard are an unique and special case. But they do make an excellent example of a mercenary unit on a long term contract with the previously prescribed uniforms, medals, spit and polish, organized training, and the like. And they are trained well in modern weapons and tactics, to be atleast as capable as your typical special warfare unit. But this is not the kind of mercenary unit you're going to come into contact with during a bush war in central Africa. The Swiss Guard are more a kin to corporate security than hired guns.

But even in the case of corporate security, the longevity of an individual in these organizations is not measured in decades or sometimes even years. The resumes for most of these individuals read like a historical listing all of recent bush wars, live fire zones, and civil conflicts. These guys tend to be recruited heavily by whatever company has been awarded the contract this time around. When the contract expires, they find new work with another company or go on sabbatical, living on their healthy stipends until needed again.

Again, it depends on how dark and gritty YTU is. Mine is very dark and dirty.
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I wasn't saying that Mercs might all be well organized and long lasting units. I was just pointing out that they can be. Individual MErcs might be around for ad hoc stuff. An established Mercenary Unit might subcontract a specialized unit to fill a part of a mission. Based on the typical information presented in Traveller on Mercenaries, many units are long serving and organized for long term not just for a single ticket. Further starting with CT LBB4, Mercenaries tended to be Service professionals that are no longer in the service. Those types of Mercenaries would tend toward putting units together that would stick together or at least the core of them would stick together. If I was organizing a Mercenary unit, I would stick to guys that I could verify their military experience and I could trust to watch my back. I wouldn't be looking for the attack dogs, but the professional soldiers. The well disciplined units would stick together because they know that a unit reputation for being professional and getting the job done would guarantee them more work long term. Though I dare say that you would find both types, especially in a universe as big as the OTU. The disciplined professional units would, generally have a choice of tickets offered and get to pick and choose recruits, the rabble would take what they can find and sign up where they can find service. While a great individual mercenary might make mroe money, the Professional unit would have a better long term future and money making opportunities. That is the kind of unit that can get things financed like Mercenary Cruisers. Individuals would have to pay cash.


Granted this is just my take on it. I have seen people try to play it both ways. The Mercenary Unit described in Adventure 7, Broadsword is "a Corporate Mercenary Unit." The same with the description of organizing a Mercenary Unit recruiting and pay from LBB4.

LBB4 page 19:
Before shares are determined, the ticket holder, (generally the unit commander and his business partners) deduct 50% as profit.
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That type of business plan is thinking longer term than just the one ticket. Otherwise backers would be tough to find. Just the impression I get from the wording.

EA6 also implies that kind of business arrangement in terms of the lease arrangement of the Ship.

I am sure there are scruffy independent ad hoc Mercenary units. I know there are some IMTU. Their resumes even can look pretty good.

And they probably get shipped about in Low Berths until they get to the target zone, ala Episode 1 and 2 of Andromeda. However someone like Tir Anastasi is not someone I would trust to watch my back.
 
The more I think about the more I think that there will be two extremes, the long serving professional unit, with a rich and long history, and the ad hoc band of guys out for themselves and just together for this ticket. But I think most units will fall somewhere in between.
 
And, of course, there might be some culturally distinct mercenary units. Imagine an Aslan merc unit - special harness that are unique to the individual with all of his battle trophies, signature weapons (though all the same type and caliber), bonded by their identity as Aslan and fierce warriors. I think it was the Massai who would hire out as warriors (by clan) because of their reputation.
 
Good point Fritz.

Two points also:
1) Professional Merc Units - Notice in Hammer's Slammers and other similar books, they always get the tough jobs. Why? A nation hires mercs generally when it can't get the job done with locals. Knowing human nature, oft times when the situation is worse than anyone wants to admit and the hour is late. (Not always, but often enough for non cadre tickets and even sometimes with cadre). If you need to have 'pros' (as opposed to just some extra high tech hired guns), then you need to shell out the big bucks. A large, organized unit with a history costs a lot to support, ergo must charge a lot. This also means they'll get jobs from those who have the $$ and are willing to spend it. A lot of the time, this willingness comes from *a very bad situation*. So one of the interesting issues for these units is: How do I justify my big paycheck, execute tough missions, and not lose enough guys to make my unt continuity, etc. an issue? In how many slammers books did the Mercs take a pounding and lots of losses? Another thing they *have* to do if they want to stay solvent as a unit in the long term is invest a *lot* in trauma tubes/emergency low berths and good (nay, great!) combat medics and field hospital facilities. They have to make every attempt to rebuild their experienced troopies.

2) Mercs won't try to get burnt on a project. They'll use their limited intel capability to make guestimates. They may send out fact finders. But sometimes they'll have to act fast. And clients often can't or won't really reprsent the situation (don't know it, don't want to face it, are actively lying about it) so as to get good rates. So oft times contracts will be accepted where it turns out things are worse than expected. Having worked on many software projects and seen large military projects too, I can say that project estimation is a black art, rarely successfully practiced. I frankly don't see that changing much in 3000 more years... <*grin*>

Just some more grist for the mill.
 
Originally posted by Fritz88:
And, of course, there might be some culturally distinct mercenary units. Imagine an Aslan merc unit - special harness that are unique to the individual with all of his battle trophies, signature weapons (though all the same type and caliber), bonded by their identity as Aslan and fierce warriors. I think it was the Massai who would hire out as warriors (by clan) because of their reputation.
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Well there is the Teahleikhoi Regiment. (Knights of The Setting Sun or other translation.) It has been around virtually forever. (Both game wise and setting history wise.) Mentioned in several GDW CT and MT sources, or was that DGP MT sources, and detailed rather nicely in FASA's Aslan Mercenary Cruisers.

On the other hand there are Vargr Mercenary units that would form and break up due to a change in the hierachy on a regular basis. (Possibly including in the middle of the ticket.) I believe mostly these units are classified as Corsairs as only someone truly desperate would attempt to hire a Vargr Mercenary Unit.
 
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