Becoming a mercenary?
Since we wrote our page on How to Become a Mercenary, we’ve gotten a lot of questions, a few suggestions and even some job offers, both for ourselves and our readers and visitors. Since it’s hard to squeeze in all of the relevant information on one single page, we thought it was about time we made an FAQ page, where you can both look for an answer to your questions, and ask new one if what you’re wondering about isn’t listed. That’s what the comment section is for, remember.
Our comment policy is that we read all comments and answer all questions! If we don’t already know the answer, we’ll try our best to find out for you. We think that’s pretty good of us, really. This page will be updated every time there’s a new question coming in, so make sure you check back often!
Mercenary FAQ
Please note that questions aren’t necessarily in any kind of order, so press Ctrl+F on your keyboard, and search for your keyword.
Q: Is being a mercenary legal or illegal?
A: Being a mercenary is not necessarily either. There are laws and regulations in many countries that control or prevent the use and training of mercenaries, but effectively, it’s still legal to be a soldier of fortune. You should check your country’s specific laws to make sure you stay within the boundaries, or leave for a more lenient jurisdiction, if necessary.
You can also check out our Mercenary’s Legal Reference, and add to it if you’ve got more information.
Q: Is being a mercenary really that well paid?
A: Yes, it most certainly is. Whether you’re planning on going “old school” and signing up with a rogue band of brothers fighting in an obscure war somewhere, or getting contract work for one of the PMCs that are currently in business, there’s a lot of money to be made. That is, of course, if you have the skill set and experience in place. If you don’t, you might have to be patient for a while, and work your way up the ladder. Take a look at our page on becoming a merc to see what ind of experience many PMCs are looking for.
Q: Can I expect to see any real action as a mercenary?
A: Yes. Most employers would’t want to pay you any kind of real money to sit around. If you do succeed in becoming a mercenary, you will have to expect to earn your keep and your pay, with all that that entails.
Q: What kind of martial arts are required to become a mercenary?
A: There’s really no definitive answer to this. If you’ve got military training, chances are you’ve got a lot of close combat training, hand to hand combat training and/or similar. If you’ve got LE experience, you might have some of the same, but you should probably take up one form or another of aggressive martial arts training, such as MMA or boxing, for example. The best advice we can give is for you to seek out martial arts forms that appeal to you personally – that will give you the best results.
Q: What kind of military training is the best when looking to be a mercenary?
A: There’s no definitive answer to this, either. There’s a reason why the military is so diverse; all kinds of people are needed and wanted in order to make for a successful organization. That said, operational experience is much in demand, and if you’ve seen action in one form or another, that’s a big plus.
Q: Will I be able to use my own gun as a mercenary?
A: This is a weird question, in our opinion. And the answer is probably “no”. Just like any other job, you’ll often be issued the equipment you need, including weapons. You wouldn’t be able to bring your beat up old shotgun to a military unit, and that’s what being a mercenary is like. There’s obvioulsy going to be differences between being in a PMC and being a merc in the “old school way”, but overall, the answer is “no”. Leave your separation anxiety behind, and embrace your new gun instead. There are many like it, probably, but that one is yours.
Q: I’ve got a felony on my sheet – can I still be a mercenary?
A: Having a criminal record will disqualify you from many things in life, and being a mercenary might be among them. This, as so many other things, depends on what kind of path you’re going to choose when you’re starting your path to becoming a merc, but on the whole, you’ll be much better off if you can manage to keep the more serious things off your permanent record.
Q: I’ve got a misdemeanor on my sheet – can I still be a merc?
A: Just like the felonies, it’s important to try and keep your permanent record clean. Well, as clean as possible anyway. A misdemeanor is probably not going to affect you much, though.
Q: I’ve got emotional / psychological problems. Can I still be a mercenary?
A: That’s not a good starting point. We’d recommend that you get your psychological problems under control through therapy, and getting a clean bill of health before trying to sign up for any kind of military service, LE duty, the FFL or any kind of PMC or mercenary activity.
Q: How old should I be before starting the path to becoming a mercenary?
A: Legally, you can’t even have a full time job until you’re 18 (in some countries, the age is lower), and PMCs and the military certainly won’t take you before a few more years than that has passed. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start training. Start when you first get the idea that you some day want to become a merc, or a soldier, or a LEO, or whatever. Physical training, and theory is your best bet, but you should stick to what interests you.
Q: I have PTSD. Can I get work as a mercenary?
A: PTSD is a serious condition, and you shouldn’t even be worrying about anything other than your health and well being until it’s under control, and you’re no longer suffering any ill effects. Remember that PTSD can affect you in negative ways in stressful situations, and that in a combat situation, there will be others there who depend on you.
Q: Will I need contacts in the business in order to become a merc, or will they come find me?
A: Look, there’s no way anyone is coming to headhunt you, unless you’re some kind of special forces superhero. You’ve got to work actively to get contacts, find openings, etc. In this respect, it’s much like any other job hunt; you’ve got to get your resume and qualifications out there, and get them out there to the right people.
You could have started at worse places than SnallaBolaget.com. 😉
Were can I send resume and qualifications, to becoming a mercenary.
i got Email but, i have not yet received contact number who? where. i have all certificat army, education employee martial art. if you can help thank you .
Merc Looking for action contact me at fireheart33779@gmail.com
ONLY contact if you got a job
The french foreign legion used to overlook certain things on a mans record. I know that today that is not the case and they are decently strict.
My question is this: Is there any place that someone with an exceptional military background but a less that spotless civilian record can find employment?
im four years from being able to enlist, im planning on spending a year in college here in the states then trying to get into the british SAS for a few years. after that, where should i go (specifically in the UK) to sart on being a merc and taking jobs?
I am a former officer of idf,platoon commander,infantry,can i work as a mercenary for the us??
This design is incredible! You definitely know how
to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos,
I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say,
and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
V mojej krajine je minimálna mzda 350euro zkurvenci zdierajú skoro celu populáciu. Skúšal som podnika? nevyšlo. Nemám nervy nemá ma ?o drža? v mojej krajine len tu umieram , po vlastnej psychologickej analýze som skonštatoval ,že mi nerobí problém zabi?. Chcem by? PMC pre peniaze som schopný aj zabíja?.
Hey… So I’m looking into how to become a mercenary and just wondering if anyone has any leads or know of any websites that I can get a look in to get a possible job!
I have military experiences for over 4 years have done plenty of training/courses and also have been on deployments overseas in a combat role.
I have an autoimmune disease (but it’s not the arthritis causing one it’s the one with hardly any immune system). I only have half of my immune system if not less, would that disqualify me even thou I have all the experience and qualifications nescesary?
From experience, the answer to using your own weapon. The answer is a definite no, unless you work for an outfit to cheap to outfit their teams properly. The caveat to this question, however, if you have a very special skill set. I will not define it, that will be done by your contracted employer. In such cases, you will be required to provide your own firearm, at least the primary. your employer will fund your ammunition requirements, as well as supply you with your secondary firearm. I carried a tertiary firearm but that was totally dependent on the contracts I was given.
To those potentials out there wanting to get into this work. If you aren’t sure if you can handle the job, then don’t try. The team you work with depends on your ability to function in a controlled manner under some of the most frightening conditions. They will rely on you to watch their backs, as they will watch yours. Remember you all want to be able to spend the money you earn, so that means your team and you come first. It doesn’t mean you have to become a bloodthirsty savage, just have a very good understanding of situational awareness.
In other words, If you can’t keep up, don’t step up.
Your style is very unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff
from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.
Hello my name is Josh Newman I have infantry and tanker experience from the us army I am a felon and I am looking to. Get into the mercenary field I have usend the 249 saw all 240’s Barrett 9mm at4’s’
M9 grenades m4 assault files I can drive and gun on m1 and m2 Abrams tanks I know tactile movements house clearing and I also received the combat action badge in my first tour to Iraq and I need to get back into the lifestyle I know and love so if any one is looking please reply back to me at destinyllaw83@gmail or call at 5307607329 I’m in Sacramento ca
I have previously served with an outfit that specialized in child murder. I am wondering if you happen to know of any merc outfits that are operating in this capacity. Ideally, I would like to restrict the age of children that I murder to under 7 years, though I would be willing to consider older if the price were right. Also, do you think that the companies would be willing to let me keep the dead bodies (or at least a portion of said bodies)? I am thinking that they may be willing to consider it as a sort of performance bonus, though I would imagine that it would be a pain to file taxes on such a thing. Any advice you could offer on the subject would be appreciated.
I forgot to mention in my previous post that I own my own clown suit and puppy dog to lure children away from their homes. I would also be able to provide candy and a van for on the job use (I know companies usually want to reduce their overhead associated with child murder). Again, thanks for your advice.
Si, we operato ONLY in vans with no windows for this line of work pero vans with PAINTED window are acceptable.
Dear Sir,
I am a retd Lt Col from the Indian Army (Infantry) and qualified on 12 military courses. Have served in three Counter Insurgency areas including Kashmir. How can I find a job as a Mercenary? Any links that you can suggest please?
Hardeep
do i need college or any kind of superior studies to work as contractor? im 18 yrs old, just finished high school and im from EU
I am a multiple convicted felon that is interested in becoming a merc but I am wondering if there is an agency that would even consider testing me with boot camp… please contact me at hollinger1916@gmail.com