Timerover51
SOC-14 5K
I should have specified that the 10% figure was for wartime only.
Geneva Convention equivalent
- Thread starter McPerth
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Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
Besides cannon fodder, it depends on logistics, basically if you have an outside sponsor.
You need your national economy to build up your forces and sustain the war effort, but Lend Lease sort of demonstrates how you can get around that, even partially.
And then you have the Spartans.
You need your national economy to build up your forces and sustain the war effort, but Lend Lease sort of demonstrates how you can get around that, even partially.
And then you have the Spartans.
Why to hire a car when you can own one?
I guess it's a similar case. Keeping a standing army is not cheap, and maybe it's economically advisable to keep it at mínimum and, if you need a specific misión out of its capacity done, to hire professionals for it, against keeping this capacity at full time and only it from time to time.
Nonetheless, see that Traveller universo has a big difference to Merc2000: you need to plan for this need well in advance. No impromtu hiring for a hostages rescue, when you need to move to another planet to find them...
Note that for vacations we often rent a car: means our cars last longer and the cost is often less than the wear & tear on our cars. So there could a similar idea in place along with all the other aforementioned reasons for mercenaries (plus we get to drive something different which is often nice, though that probably does not apply to mercenaries!)
Enoki
SOC-14 1K
I'd think that the sort of organizations that use mercenaries regularly would have several they know are reliable and simply go to the equivalent of their Rolodex and give Mercenaries-R-Us or whatever a call, and voilà, instant army!
Think of this as a military temp service for corporations. This wouldn't be some little group of guys that want to play army but rather a corporation in itself that hires out mercenaries regularly. They'd have a business track record that says Call us, and your problem disappears in a missile hit or six.
The little ragtag bunch of ex-military that get together for a mercenary job would be relegated to the bottom end of the business. They'd have to go with the employer / customer that couldn't afford better. For some mega corp or government, they have the cash and credit to hire true professionals that have been vetted and are reliable.
Think of this as a military temp service for corporations. This wouldn't be some little group of guys that want to play army but rather a corporation in itself that hires out mercenaries regularly. They'd have a business track record that says Call us, and your problem disappears in a missile hit or six.
The little ragtag bunch of ex-military that get together for a mercenary job would be relegated to the bottom end of the business. They'd have to go with the employer / customer that couldn't afford better. For some mega corp or government, they have the cash and credit to hire true professionals that have been vetted and are reliable.
AtlanticFriend
SOC-12
Except in times of peril, where the FFL units could be deployed inside Metropolitan France. But the FFL is not a merc unit anyway - it's a permanent part of the French Army and is led by French Army officers, and it cannot be leased to another nation, allied or not. It's more like a permanent volunteer force with individuals signing in.
I guess Traveller organized mercs groups could be either smallish specialist units, as you pointed out (which, with TLs varying so much from world to world would allow a TL-7 world to conduct operations in/from space, definitely a plus), or "convenience troops" allowing regular troops to be redeployed.
kilemall
SOC-14 5K
I would anticipate most permanent merc orgs would have a two-tier set of services.
Heavy tickets with preferred gear ready to roll, centralized training camp, committed or very available for retainer ships, and a core cadre that can take on company-plus missions or train/lead larger local forces.
And a merc org factor/agent on most paying planets, with a contact list of previous hires in-system giving the capability to put together a scratch light team for a specific mission in the light spec-ops/security, and then disband/move on when it's over. Something that can be put together in a week or less as opposed to a whole operation and weeks in comms/transit.
Discretion and anonymity are the order of the day here for all concerned with the light fast ticket, especially since this isn't under the protections or understandings/conventions of the IRW or equivalent and there isn't a nice safe base to fall back to.
Heavy tickets with preferred gear ready to roll, centralized training camp, committed or very available for retainer ships, and a core cadre that can take on company-plus missions or train/lead larger local forces.
And a merc org factor/agent on most paying planets, with a contact list of previous hires in-system giving the capability to put together a scratch light team for a specific mission in the light spec-ops/security, and then disband/move on when it's over. Something that can be put together in a week or less as opposed to a whole operation and weeks in comms/transit.
Discretion and anonymity are the order of the day here for all concerned with the light fast ticket, especially since this isn't under the protections or understandings/conventions of the IRW or equivalent and there isn't a nice safe base to fall back to.
Enoki
SOC-14 1K
Sure, that would work.
The pro's for serious missions. Top shelf skills and gear, not cheap, but very deadly. They are for big spenders and serious players when things get nasty. This is the instant professional army for a big operation. Not too common, but something these companies are familiar with and can organize and supply on short notice.
Then there's what would be the "bread and butter" of many mercenary companies. That would be the "temp service." They'll supply the necessary cannon fodder for whatever you need at a reasonable price. They have a long list of crash test dummies they can send to take care of whatever it is discretely or indiscreetly as the contract calls for. Or, they can get you a few better and tested people for a small 'problem' quickly and quietly.
If the temps don't work out (eg., renege, scam, kite, or whatever) and don't carry out the contract the company has more than ample means to hunt them down and make an example of them while supplying another crew to do the job.
In a separate category would be supplying one or a few individuals for a discrete intervention, assassination, snatch and grab, or some other small / pinpoint operation that you have a need to do. Sure, the cost would be higher because you're getting pros but it's just a few people so for a big corporation what's a few million credits when you think in trillions? Discrete, efficient, and they get the job done. No one need be the wiser who ordered it.
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
1. There's sort of a difference between mercenary assets that are insystem or further afield.
2. Insystem can be treated pretty much as you would in real life or in such games as Shadowrun.
3. Outsystem has to account for the time lag between contract signed and arrival.
4. Speaking of contract, while there have been cases of mercenaries fighting to the death, most are quite willing to surrender if they've given their best effort, their side loses, and they can't withdraw, as long as the terms are fair and they can trust that they will be carried out.
2. Insystem can be treated pretty much as you would in real life or in such games as Shadowrun.
3. Outsystem has to account for the time lag between contract signed and arrival.
4. Speaking of contract, while there have been cases of mercenaries fighting to the death, most are quite willing to surrender if they've given their best effort, their side loses, and they can't withdraw, as long as the terms are fair and they can trust that they will be carried out.
So where does the A-Team exist?
Kidding aside, some interesting points in this discussion.AtlanticFriend
SOC-12
So where does the A-Team exist?
Isn't that the players' party?
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
Mad Dog.
Per the 1929 version of the (Third) Geneva Convention in force at that time:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoki View Post
Many were actually surprised that the US military gave them a small pay allowance that could be supplemented by volunteering to work at local businesses or on farms to the point some were earning more than they had serving in the Germany military.
https://www.germanpulse.com/2012/02/...ryland-part-1/
Fascinating read
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
I'm not sure, but I had the impression you can't force prisoners of war to work, especially in armaments industries.
That's in Section III, Art. 27-34:
(Note that this is the 1929 GC; it was revised in 1949.)
(Note that this is the 1929 GC; it was revised in 1949.)
"SECTION III
WORK OF PRISONERS OF WAR
CHAPTER 1
General
Art. 27. Belligerents may employ as workmen prisoners of war who are physically fit, other than officers and persons of equivalent statue, according to their rink and their ability.
Nevertheless, if officers or persons of equivalent status ask for suitable work, this shall be found for them as far as possible.
Non-commissioned officers who are prisoners of war may be compelled to undertake only supervisory work, unless they expressly request remunerative occupation.
During the whole period of captivity, belligerents are required to admit prisoners of war who are victims of accidents at work to the benefit of provisions applicable to workmen of the same category under the legislation of the detaining Power. As regards prisoners of war to whom these legal provisions could not be applied by reason of the legislation of that Power, the latter undertakes to recommend to its legislative body all proper measures for the equitable compensation of the victims.
CHAPTER 2
Organization of work
Art. 28. The detaining Power shall assume entire responsibility for the maintenance, care, treatment and the payment of the wages of prisoners of war working for private individuals.
Art. 29. No prisoner of war may be employed on work for which he is physically unsuited.
Art. 30. The duration of the daily work of prisoners of war, including the time of the journey to and from work, shall not be excessive and shall in no case exceed that permitted for civil workers of the locality employed on the same work. Each prisoner shall be allowed a rest of twenty-four consecutive hours each week, preferably on Sunday.
CHAPTER 3
Prohibited work
Art. 31. Work done by prisoners of war shall have no direct connection with the operations of the war. In particular, it is forbidden to employ prisoners in the manufacture or transport of arms or munitions of any kind, or on the transport of material destined for combatant units.
In the event of violation of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, prisoners are at liberty, after performing or commencing to perform the order, to have their complaints presented through the intermediary of the prisoners' representatives whose functions are described in Articles 43 an 44, or, in the absence of a prisoners' representative, through the intermediary of the representatives of the protecting Power.
Art. 32. It is forbidden to employ prisoners of war on unhealthy or dangerous work. Conditions of work shall not be rendered more arduous by disciplinary measures."
WORK OF PRISONERS OF WAR
CHAPTER 1
General
Art. 27. Belligerents may employ as workmen prisoners of war who are physically fit, other than officers and persons of equivalent statue, according to their rink and their ability.
Nevertheless, if officers or persons of equivalent status ask for suitable work, this shall be found for them as far as possible.
Non-commissioned officers who are prisoners of war may be compelled to undertake only supervisory work, unless they expressly request remunerative occupation.
During the whole period of captivity, belligerents are required to admit prisoners of war who are victims of accidents at work to the benefit of provisions applicable to workmen of the same category under the legislation of the detaining Power. As regards prisoners of war to whom these legal provisions could not be applied by reason of the legislation of that Power, the latter undertakes to recommend to its legislative body all proper measures for the equitable compensation of the victims.
CHAPTER 2
Organization of work
Art. 28. The detaining Power shall assume entire responsibility for the maintenance, care, treatment and the payment of the wages of prisoners of war working for private individuals.
Art. 29. No prisoner of war may be employed on work for which he is physically unsuited.
Art. 30. The duration of the daily work of prisoners of war, including the time of the journey to and from work, shall not be excessive and shall in no case exceed that permitted for civil workers of the locality employed on the same work. Each prisoner shall be allowed a rest of twenty-four consecutive hours each week, preferably on Sunday.
CHAPTER 3
Prohibited work
Art. 31. Work done by prisoners of war shall have no direct connection with the operations of the war. In particular, it is forbidden to employ prisoners in the manufacture or transport of arms or munitions of any kind, or on the transport of material destined for combatant units.
In the event of violation of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, prisoners are at liberty, after performing or commencing to perform the order, to have their complaints presented through the intermediary of the prisoners' representatives whose functions are described in Articles 43 an 44, or, in the absence of a prisoners' representative, through the intermediary of the representatives of the protecting Power.
Art. 32. It is forbidden to employ prisoners of war on unhealthy or dangerous work. Conditions of work shall not be rendered more arduous by disciplinary measures."
They might be valuable as trainers for your raw recruits--they wouldn't be in a situation they could effectively betray you that way, being surrounded by your own troops in large numbers.
I recall reading somewhere, long ago, that standing armies, from the Roman Empire to modern nation-states, tend to stabilize at 0.7% of population, more or less. During wartime, naturally, the size goes up, but in peace more than that is too much a drain on the economy.
IIRC unidentified (identificated does not necessarily mean uniformed) combatants are illegal ones, and so not protected, as you say, but mercenaries are by definition also illegal combatants according the Convention, regardless if they are uniformed, identified or integrated in other army units.
OTOH, the Imperial Rules of War might have different specifications? Particularly if mercenaries are encouraged, or at least tolerated.
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