Would a National Army of mercenaries be a feasible idea?












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Would it be practical for a small, largely isolated country to have a drafted army to be hired out to other countries as guards for caravans or a policing force? The soldiers would all serve around 4 years, not counting training. How would this work... would the patrons pay the rulers of the country or the soldiers themselves? Is this a practical idea for a nation with fewer resources to get money? (the Country from which the mercenaries come originally is peaceful, and doesn't need a standing army beyond a small policing force.) Any ideas of what would keep an ordinary low ranked soldier loyal to the original country if he's not being paid directly? (Besides fanatical nationalism) How would this work in regards to international relationships?
(My world is medieval-ish.)










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  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
    $endgroup$
    – Demigan
    Feb 28 at 20:51






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
    $endgroup$
    – L Maen
    Feb 28 at 20:54








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
    $endgroup$
    – Mazura
    Mar 1 at 0:19








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    I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    Mar 1 at 1:23






  • 2




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    @JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
    $endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Mar 1 at 6:51
















23












$begingroup$


Would it be practical for a small, largely isolated country to have a drafted army to be hired out to other countries as guards for caravans or a policing force? The soldiers would all serve around 4 years, not counting training. How would this work... would the patrons pay the rulers of the country or the soldiers themselves? Is this a practical idea for a nation with fewer resources to get money? (the Country from which the mercenaries come originally is peaceful, and doesn't need a standing army beyond a small policing force.) Any ideas of what would keep an ordinary low ranked soldier loyal to the original country if he's not being paid directly? (Besides fanatical nationalism) How would this work in regards to international relationships?
(My world is medieval-ish.)










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
    $endgroup$
    – Demigan
    Feb 28 at 20:51






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
    $endgroup$
    – L Maen
    Feb 28 at 20:54








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
    $endgroup$
    – Mazura
    Mar 1 at 0:19








  • 5




    $begingroup$
    I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    Mar 1 at 1:23






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
    $endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Mar 1 at 6:51














23












23








23


5



$begingroup$


Would it be practical for a small, largely isolated country to have a drafted army to be hired out to other countries as guards for caravans or a policing force? The soldiers would all serve around 4 years, not counting training. How would this work... would the patrons pay the rulers of the country or the soldiers themselves? Is this a practical idea for a nation with fewer resources to get money? (the Country from which the mercenaries come originally is peaceful, and doesn't need a standing army beyond a small policing force.) Any ideas of what would keep an ordinary low ranked soldier loyal to the original country if he's not being paid directly? (Besides fanatical nationalism) How would this work in regards to international relationships?
(My world is medieval-ish.)










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




Would it be practical for a small, largely isolated country to have a drafted army to be hired out to other countries as guards for caravans or a policing force? The soldiers would all serve around 4 years, not counting training. How would this work... would the patrons pay the rulers of the country or the soldiers themselves? Is this a practical idea for a nation with fewer resources to get money? (the Country from which the mercenaries come originally is peaceful, and doesn't need a standing army beyond a small policing force.) Any ideas of what would keep an ordinary low ranked soldier loyal to the original country if he's not being paid directly? (Besides fanatical nationalism) How would this work in regards to international relationships?
(My world is medieval-ish.)







economy politics military






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share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Feb 28 at 20:52







L Maen

















asked Feb 28 at 20:45









L MaenL Maen

184110




184110








  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
    $endgroup$
    – Demigan
    Feb 28 at 20:51






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
    $endgroup$
    – L Maen
    Feb 28 at 20:54








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
    $endgroup$
    – Mazura
    Mar 1 at 0:19








  • 5




    $begingroup$
    I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    Mar 1 at 1:23






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
    $endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Mar 1 at 6:51














  • 3




    $begingroup$
    Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
    $endgroup$
    – Demigan
    Feb 28 at 20:51






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
    $endgroup$
    – L Maen
    Feb 28 at 20:54








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
    $endgroup$
    – Mazura
    Mar 1 at 0:19








  • 5




    $begingroup$
    I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
    $endgroup$
    – pojo-guy
    Mar 1 at 1:23






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    @JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
    $endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Mar 1 at 6:51








3




3




$begingroup$
Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
$endgroup$
– Demigan
Feb 28 at 20:51




$begingroup$
Feasible? Yes. Smart? Only if you are richer than your enemies and the mercenaries aren't too gullible (like being offered control of the country if they do X for an opposing country).
$endgroup$
– Demigan
Feb 28 at 20:51




1




1




$begingroup$
And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
$endgroup$
– L Maen
Feb 28 at 20:54






$begingroup$
And if the soldiers can't operate armed within their own borders, or have families who could be at risk if they went rough? They're not richer, but they are more stable, since the other countries frequently have civil wars.
$endgroup$
– L Maen
Feb 28 at 20:54






2




2




$begingroup$
So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
$endgroup$
– Mazura
Mar 1 at 0:19






$begingroup$
So like, any protectorate of the US. Or the Pinkertons, Blackwater, Halliburton... ? The wild wild west basically was another country, and those other two do exactly what you're talking about, if you pay them money.
$endgroup$
– Mazura
Mar 1 at 0:19






5




5




$begingroup$
I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
Mar 1 at 1:23




$begingroup$
I was thinking the French Foreign Legion.
$endgroup$
– pojo-guy
Mar 1 at 1:23




2




2




$begingroup$
@JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Mar 1 at 6:51




$begingroup$
@JustinThyme But I don't think they operate during the day when a lot of battles are normally fought. :P
$endgroup$
– VLAZ
Mar 1 at 6:51










5 Answers
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active

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53












$begingroup$

This practice was done all the time in Medievel Europe, the most famous being the Swiss Guard which was formed in the late 15th century and were stationed as guards in foreign courts until 1847 amendment to the Swiss Constitution outlawed all foreign military service with exception to the Pontifical Swiss Guard (The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope to this very day). The Swiss also had mercenary regiments in foriegn armies and they were considered to be the best until 1515 when Germany's Landsknechte contracted to France beat the Swiss mercenaries in the Battle of Marignano of 1515.



In fact, if you're a US questioner, you should know that one of the most famous actions in the Revolutionary War was taken to defeat German Hessian Mercenaries. Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and subsequent Battle of Trenton was to catch a large contingent of Hessian sleeping off a Christmas Party and was so successful, the Continental Army filled their re-enlistment commitments that were about to expire in the next week and cripple their war effort. The fact that the Hessian's recruitment by the British to such a degree that they represented 1/4 of their fighting force in the Revolutionary War was a really sore point for a lot of Colonials (From their point of view, Britain had hired Germans to kill British) that it was listed as one of the 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence (The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, but the Colonists weren't fighting for Independence until 1776... The Hessian were one of, if not, the final straws that made the Colonials settle on full independence from Britain, rather than one of several options.



Edit: It should be pointed out mercenaries were used as supplemental forces, rarely full armies. Machiavelli pointed out there ups and downs of using them, and favored their use be carefully watched.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$









  • 1




    $begingroup$
    ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
    $endgroup$
    – James
    Mar 1 at 15:53






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    It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 1 at 16:37










  • $begingroup$
    Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
    $endgroup$
    – Adam Miller
    Mar 1 at 20:46










  • $begingroup$
    I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 4 at 14:03



















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This sounds rather similar to the Gurkha soldiers;




The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (/ˈɡɜːrkə, ˈɡʊər-/) with endonym Gorkhali
(Nepali: गोरखाली) are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent of
Nepalese nationality and ethnic Nepalis of Indian nationality
recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha
Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping
force and war zones around the world.




As to whether it is practical depends on so many factors I cant list all of them. Personally I think the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore is an excellent example.



The Gurkha contingent has its own living area within Singapore and are prevented from integrating into the society at large due to their use as a neutral peace-keeping force. At the end of their tenure, as they are temporary, the soldiers must go back to their country.



The temporary aspect is likely what keeps them loyal to their own country, and the reason many enroll to be part of the contingent is due to it being




considered highly honorable to serve as a GC member back in Nepal




As well as




The good income, their way of life, and affordable education for their children (or future children) are further draws.




I hope this helps and you can find much more information through the links!






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    9












    $begingroup$

    The United Nations peacekeeping forces work kind of like this.



    Of 106,576 UN peacekeeping personnel...




    Bangladesh, Ethiopa, India, Pakistan and Rwanda currently contribute
    the largest number of peacekeepers - having a share of 36 per cent of
    the UN's force. The US and Russia, meanwhile, only contribute around
    70 personnel each, and the UK contributes a further 289. This takes
    the total for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to
    just 4,438. These countries have significantly larger defense budgets
    than the countries topping the list, although Washington pays for more
    than 28 per cent of the UN peacekeeping budget.
    The developing countries who donate large numbers to UN peacekeeping can use it as a source of income, helping explain their large
    contributions.




    Bold emphasis mine.



    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11898603/UN-peacekeepers-How-many-personnel-does-each-country-contribute.html



    If sending your country's soldiers to work for an outside entity and getting pay in return makes them mercenaries, then these UN peacekeeping personnel are mercenaries.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
      $endgroup$
      – L Maen
      Feb 28 at 21:07



















    5












    $begingroup$

    It could be a system similar to the Dorsai of Gordon Dickson, which was actually based loosely on medieval Swiss practices. The Swiss were notable mercenaries through the Renaissance, getting shout outs from Machiavelli and Shakespeare.



    It doesn't have to be a mandatory thing for it to be an important export to the country. If being a soldier is a good way for a second or third son to get enough money for his own farm/mill/bakery/hookah parlor then there will be lines out the door. Men in their late teens/early 20s are infamous for being aggressive and short sighted.



    People who enjoy warring and are good at it could come back and use their earnings to recruit younger men into squads of their own. After a couple of successful campaigns, their recruits could afford to front money for recruits of their own as well as pay a percentage up.



    Eventually, it becomes time to retire to the simple life selling cuckoo clocks and chocolates and telling stories of that time that Tex was confused about what size coin to give the prostitute.



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Thanks for the insight... i might do that
      $endgroup$
      – L Maen
      Feb 28 at 21:05



















    4












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    As hszmv mentioned, Machiavelli strongly advised against using mercenaries in his theoretical work "Il Principe" since they are in their essence unreliable. It is of course much more comfortable to pay mercenaries than to train your own troops, but in the end you can never be sure that mercenaries will actually fulfill their promise. In times of peace they will hang around and gladly take your money but when the tide turns for the worse you cannot be sure of their loyalty.



    They are only in it for the money, which means they can always be paid off by your enemy. And even if this does not happen, battle morale of such troops can always be expected to be worse than that of troops with family/financial/etc. ties to your realm. When a mercenary is faced with the option to either fight and possibly die or flee and take the money with him, the outcome will be the latter one in many cases.



    For these reasons Machiavelli stated that a good ruler should always field his own army, even though the initial investment is high.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
      $endgroup$
      – L Maen
      Mar 1 at 16:08






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
      $endgroup$
      – Sherwood Botsford
      Mar 1 at 21:02











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    5 Answers
    5






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    5 Answers
    5






    active

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    53












    $begingroup$

    This practice was done all the time in Medievel Europe, the most famous being the Swiss Guard which was formed in the late 15th century and were stationed as guards in foreign courts until 1847 amendment to the Swiss Constitution outlawed all foreign military service with exception to the Pontifical Swiss Guard (The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope to this very day). The Swiss also had mercenary regiments in foriegn armies and they were considered to be the best until 1515 when Germany's Landsknechte contracted to France beat the Swiss mercenaries in the Battle of Marignano of 1515.



    In fact, if you're a US questioner, you should know that one of the most famous actions in the Revolutionary War was taken to defeat German Hessian Mercenaries. Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and subsequent Battle of Trenton was to catch a large contingent of Hessian sleeping off a Christmas Party and was so successful, the Continental Army filled their re-enlistment commitments that were about to expire in the next week and cripple their war effort. The fact that the Hessian's recruitment by the British to such a degree that they represented 1/4 of their fighting force in the Revolutionary War was a really sore point for a lot of Colonials (From their point of view, Britain had hired Germans to kill British) that it was listed as one of the 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence (The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, but the Colonists weren't fighting for Independence until 1776... The Hessian were one of, if not, the final straws that made the Colonials settle on full independence from Britain, rather than one of several options.



    Edit: It should be pointed out mercenaries were used as supplemental forces, rarely full armies. Machiavelli pointed out there ups and downs of using them, and favored their use be carefully watched.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
      $endgroup$
      – James
      Mar 1 at 15:53






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 1 at 16:37










    • $begingroup$
      Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
      $endgroup$
      – Adam Miller
      Mar 1 at 20:46










    • $begingroup$
      I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 4 at 14:03
















    53












    $begingroup$

    This practice was done all the time in Medievel Europe, the most famous being the Swiss Guard which was formed in the late 15th century and were stationed as guards in foreign courts until 1847 amendment to the Swiss Constitution outlawed all foreign military service with exception to the Pontifical Swiss Guard (The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope to this very day). The Swiss also had mercenary regiments in foriegn armies and they were considered to be the best until 1515 when Germany's Landsknechte contracted to France beat the Swiss mercenaries in the Battle of Marignano of 1515.



    In fact, if you're a US questioner, you should know that one of the most famous actions in the Revolutionary War was taken to defeat German Hessian Mercenaries. Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and subsequent Battle of Trenton was to catch a large contingent of Hessian sleeping off a Christmas Party and was so successful, the Continental Army filled their re-enlistment commitments that were about to expire in the next week and cripple their war effort. The fact that the Hessian's recruitment by the British to such a degree that they represented 1/4 of their fighting force in the Revolutionary War was a really sore point for a lot of Colonials (From their point of view, Britain had hired Germans to kill British) that it was listed as one of the 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence (The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, but the Colonists weren't fighting for Independence until 1776... The Hessian were one of, if not, the final straws that made the Colonials settle on full independence from Britain, rather than one of several options.



    Edit: It should be pointed out mercenaries were used as supplemental forces, rarely full armies. Machiavelli pointed out there ups and downs of using them, and favored their use be carefully watched.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
      $endgroup$
      – James
      Mar 1 at 15:53






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 1 at 16:37










    • $begingroup$
      Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
      $endgroup$
      – Adam Miller
      Mar 1 at 20:46










    • $begingroup$
      I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 4 at 14:03














    53












    53








    53





    $begingroup$

    This practice was done all the time in Medievel Europe, the most famous being the Swiss Guard which was formed in the late 15th century and were stationed as guards in foreign courts until 1847 amendment to the Swiss Constitution outlawed all foreign military service with exception to the Pontifical Swiss Guard (The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope to this very day). The Swiss also had mercenary regiments in foriegn armies and they were considered to be the best until 1515 when Germany's Landsknechte contracted to France beat the Swiss mercenaries in the Battle of Marignano of 1515.



    In fact, if you're a US questioner, you should know that one of the most famous actions in the Revolutionary War was taken to defeat German Hessian Mercenaries. Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and subsequent Battle of Trenton was to catch a large contingent of Hessian sleeping off a Christmas Party and was so successful, the Continental Army filled their re-enlistment commitments that were about to expire in the next week and cripple their war effort. The fact that the Hessian's recruitment by the British to such a degree that they represented 1/4 of their fighting force in the Revolutionary War was a really sore point for a lot of Colonials (From their point of view, Britain had hired Germans to kill British) that it was listed as one of the 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence (The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, but the Colonists weren't fighting for Independence until 1776... The Hessian were one of, if not, the final straws that made the Colonials settle on full independence from Britain, rather than one of several options.



    Edit: It should be pointed out mercenaries were used as supplemental forces, rarely full armies. Machiavelli pointed out there ups and downs of using them, and favored their use be carefully watched.






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    This practice was done all the time in Medievel Europe, the most famous being the Swiss Guard which was formed in the late 15th century and were stationed as guards in foreign courts until 1847 amendment to the Swiss Constitution outlawed all foreign military service with exception to the Pontifical Swiss Guard (The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope to this very day). The Swiss also had mercenary regiments in foriegn armies and they were considered to be the best until 1515 when Germany's Landsknechte contracted to France beat the Swiss mercenaries in the Battle of Marignano of 1515.



    In fact, if you're a US questioner, you should know that one of the most famous actions in the Revolutionary War was taken to defeat German Hessian Mercenaries. Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and subsequent Battle of Trenton was to catch a large contingent of Hessian sleeping off a Christmas Party and was so successful, the Continental Army filled their re-enlistment commitments that were about to expire in the next week and cripple their war effort. The fact that the Hessian's recruitment by the British to such a degree that they represented 1/4 of their fighting force in the Revolutionary War was a really sore point for a lot of Colonials (From their point of view, Britain had hired Germans to kill British) that it was listed as one of the 27 grievances in the Declaration of Independence (The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, but the Colonists weren't fighting for Independence until 1776... The Hessian were one of, if not, the final straws that made the Colonials settle on full independence from Britain, rather than one of several options.



    Edit: It should be pointed out mercenaries were used as supplemental forces, rarely full armies. Machiavelli pointed out there ups and downs of using them, and favored their use be carefully watched.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Mar 1 at 12:28









    Separatrix

    83.5k31194325




    83.5k31194325










    answered Feb 28 at 21:12









    hszmvhszmv

    4,918517




    4,918517








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
      $endgroup$
      – James
      Mar 1 at 15:53






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 1 at 16:37










    • $begingroup$
      Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
      $endgroup$
      – Adam Miller
      Mar 1 at 20:46










    • $begingroup$
      I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 4 at 14:03














    • 1




      $begingroup$
      ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
      $endgroup$
      – James
      Mar 1 at 15:53






    • 3




      $begingroup$
      It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 1 at 16:37










    • $begingroup$
      Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
      $endgroup$
      – Adam Miller
      Mar 1 at 20:46










    • $begingroup$
      I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
      $endgroup$
      – hszmv
      Mar 4 at 14:03








    1




    1




    $begingroup$
    ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
    $endgroup$
    – James
    Mar 1 at 15:53




    $begingroup$
    ...I love learning details about things I think I know really well already.
    $endgroup$
    – James
    Mar 1 at 15:53




    3




    3




    $begingroup$
    It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 1 at 16:37




    $begingroup$
    It's not just the Swiss, but the Swiss just have a reputation for doing it well... There were lots of small kingdoms and republics in Central Europe (Modern Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy) that exported mercenaries as it allowed them to raise an army, train them, and not overtax their smaller economies compared to the larger European Powers.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 1 at 16:37












    $begingroup$
    Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
    $endgroup$
    – Adam Miller
    Mar 1 at 20:46




    $begingroup$
    Yeah. When I was reading the question, I was thinking, "Hey, aren't you describing Switzerland?"
    $endgroup$
    – Adam Miller
    Mar 1 at 20:46












    $begingroup$
    I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 4 at 14:03




    $begingroup$
    I should also point out that Switzerland has a modern standing army and air force, and Swiss citizens may not join foreign militaries UNLESS they are part of the Pontificate Guard OR they have dual citizenship with the country they are joining.
    $endgroup$
    – hszmv
    Mar 4 at 14:03











    12












    $begingroup$

    This sounds rather similar to the Gurkha soldiers;




    The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (/ˈɡɜːrkə, ˈɡʊər-/) with endonym Gorkhali
    (Nepali: गोरखाली) are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent of
    Nepalese nationality and ethnic Nepalis of Indian nationality
    recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha
    Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping
    force and war zones around the world.




    As to whether it is practical depends on so many factors I cant list all of them. Personally I think the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore is an excellent example.



    The Gurkha contingent has its own living area within Singapore and are prevented from integrating into the society at large due to their use as a neutral peace-keeping force. At the end of their tenure, as they are temporary, the soldiers must go back to their country.



    The temporary aspect is likely what keeps them loyal to their own country, and the reason many enroll to be part of the contingent is due to it being




    considered highly honorable to serve as a GC member back in Nepal




    As well as




    The good income, their way of life, and affordable education for their children (or future children) are further draws.




    I hope this helps and you can find much more information through the links!






    share|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      12












      $begingroup$

      This sounds rather similar to the Gurkha soldiers;




      The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (/ˈɡɜːrkə, ˈɡʊər-/) with endonym Gorkhali
      (Nepali: गोरखाली) are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent of
      Nepalese nationality and ethnic Nepalis of Indian nationality
      recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha
      Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping
      force and war zones around the world.




      As to whether it is practical depends on so many factors I cant list all of them. Personally I think the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore is an excellent example.



      The Gurkha contingent has its own living area within Singapore and are prevented from integrating into the society at large due to their use as a neutral peace-keeping force. At the end of their tenure, as they are temporary, the soldiers must go back to their country.



      The temporary aspect is likely what keeps them loyal to their own country, and the reason many enroll to be part of the contingent is due to it being




      considered highly honorable to serve as a GC member back in Nepal




      As well as




      The good income, their way of life, and affordable education for their children (or future children) are further draws.




      I hope this helps and you can find much more information through the links!






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        12












        12








        12





        $begingroup$

        This sounds rather similar to the Gurkha soldiers;




        The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (/ˈɡɜːrkə, ˈɡʊər-/) with endonym Gorkhali
        (Nepali: गोरखाली) are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent of
        Nepalese nationality and ethnic Nepalis of Indian nationality
        recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha
        Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping
        force and war zones around the world.




        As to whether it is practical depends on so many factors I cant list all of them. Personally I think the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore is an excellent example.



        The Gurkha contingent has its own living area within Singapore and are prevented from integrating into the society at large due to their use as a neutral peace-keeping force. At the end of their tenure, as they are temporary, the soldiers must go back to their country.



        The temporary aspect is likely what keeps them loyal to their own country, and the reason many enroll to be part of the contingent is due to it being




        considered highly honorable to serve as a GC member back in Nepal




        As well as




        The good income, their way of life, and affordable education for their children (or future children) are further draws.




        I hope this helps and you can find much more information through the links!






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        This sounds rather similar to the Gurkha soldiers;




        The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (/ˈɡɜːrkə, ˈɡʊər-/) with endonym Gorkhali
        (Nepali: गोरखाली) are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent of
        Nepalese nationality and ethnic Nepalis of Indian nationality
        recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha
        Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping
        force and war zones around the world.




        As to whether it is practical depends on so many factors I cant list all of them. Personally I think the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore is an excellent example.



        The Gurkha contingent has its own living area within Singapore and are prevented from integrating into the society at large due to their use as a neutral peace-keeping force. At the end of their tenure, as they are temporary, the soldiers must go back to their country.



        The temporary aspect is likely what keeps them loyal to their own country, and the reason many enroll to be part of the contingent is due to it being




        considered highly honorable to serve as a GC member back in Nepal




        As well as




        The good income, their way of life, and affordable education for their children (or future children) are further draws.




        I hope this helps and you can find much more information through the links!







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Mar 1 at 12:31









        Separatrix

        83.5k31194325




        83.5k31194325










        answered Feb 28 at 20:58









        MB123MB123

        19610




        19610























            9












            $begingroup$

            The United Nations peacekeeping forces work kind of like this.



            Of 106,576 UN peacekeeping personnel...




            Bangladesh, Ethiopa, India, Pakistan and Rwanda currently contribute
            the largest number of peacekeepers - having a share of 36 per cent of
            the UN's force. The US and Russia, meanwhile, only contribute around
            70 personnel each, and the UK contributes a further 289. This takes
            the total for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to
            just 4,438. These countries have significantly larger defense budgets
            than the countries topping the list, although Washington pays for more
            than 28 per cent of the UN peacekeeping budget.
            The developing countries who donate large numbers to UN peacekeeping can use it as a source of income, helping explain their large
            contributions.




            Bold emphasis mine.



            https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11898603/UN-peacekeepers-How-many-personnel-does-each-country-contribute.html



            If sending your country's soldiers to work for an outside entity and getting pay in return makes them mercenaries, then these UN peacekeeping personnel are mercenaries.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:07
















            9












            $begingroup$

            The United Nations peacekeeping forces work kind of like this.



            Of 106,576 UN peacekeeping personnel...




            Bangladesh, Ethiopa, India, Pakistan and Rwanda currently contribute
            the largest number of peacekeepers - having a share of 36 per cent of
            the UN's force. The US and Russia, meanwhile, only contribute around
            70 personnel each, and the UK contributes a further 289. This takes
            the total for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to
            just 4,438. These countries have significantly larger defense budgets
            than the countries topping the list, although Washington pays for more
            than 28 per cent of the UN peacekeeping budget.
            The developing countries who donate large numbers to UN peacekeeping can use it as a source of income, helping explain their large
            contributions.




            Bold emphasis mine.



            https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11898603/UN-peacekeepers-How-many-personnel-does-each-country-contribute.html



            If sending your country's soldiers to work for an outside entity and getting pay in return makes them mercenaries, then these UN peacekeeping personnel are mercenaries.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:07














            9












            9








            9





            $begingroup$

            The United Nations peacekeeping forces work kind of like this.



            Of 106,576 UN peacekeeping personnel...




            Bangladesh, Ethiopa, India, Pakistan and Rwanda currently contribute
            the largest number of peacekeepers - having a share of 36 per cent of
            the UN's force. The US and Russia, meanwhile, only contribute around
            70 personnel each, and the UK contributes a further 289. This takes
            the total for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to
            just 4,438. These countries have significantly larger defense budgets
            than the countries topping the list, although Washington pays for more
            than 28 per cent of the UN peacekeeping budget.
            The developing countries who donate large numbers to UN peacekeeping can use it as a source of income, helping explain their large
            contributions.




            Bold emphasis mine.



            https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11898603/UN-peacekeepers-How-many-personnel-does-each-country-contribute.html



            If sending your country's soldiers to work for an outside entity and getting pay in return makes them mercenaries, then these UN peacekeeping personnel are mercenaries.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            The United Nations peacekeeping forces work kind of like this.



            Of 106,576 UN peacekeeping personnel...




            Bangladesh, Ethiopa, India, Pakistan and Rwanda currently contribute
            the largest number of peacekeepers - having a share of 36 per cent of
            the UN's force. The US and Russia, meanwhile, only contribute around
            70 personnel each, and the UK contributes a further 289. This takes
            the total for the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to
            just 4,438. These countries have significantly larger defense budgets
            than the countries topping the list, although Washington pays for more
            than 28 per cent of the UN peacekeeping budget.
            The developing countries who donate large numbers to UN peacekeeping can use it as a source of income, helping explain their large
            contributions.




            Bold emphasis mine.



            https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/11898603/UN-peacekeepers-How-many-personnel-does-each-country-contribute.html



            If sending your country's soldiers to work for an outside entity and getting pay in return makes them mercenaries, then these UN peacekeeping personnel are mercenaries.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Feb 28 at 21:02









            WillkWillk

            111k26208464




            111k26208464












            • $begingroup$
              Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:07


















            • $begingroup$
              Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:07
















            $begingroup$
            Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Feb 28 at 21:07




            $begingroup$
            Well, if they're not there just to keep peace... i.e. if one country paid them to fight another, or to support their military in an invasion?
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Feb 28 at 21:07











            5












            $begingroup$

            It could be a system similar to the Dorsai of Gordon Dickson, which was actually based loosely on medieval Swiss practices. The Swiss were notable mercenaries through the Renaissance, getting shout outs from Machiavelli and Shakespeare.



            It doesn't have to be a mandatory thing for it to be an important export to the country. If being a soldier is a good way for a second or third son to get enough money for his own farm/mill/bakery/hookah parlor then there will be lines out the door. Men in their late teens/early 20s are infamous for being aggressive and short sighted.



            People who enjoy warring and are good at it could come back and use their earnings to recruit younger men into squads of their own. After a couple of successful campaigns, their recruits could afford to front money for recruits of their own as well as pay a percentage up.



            Eventually, it becomes time to retire to the simple life selling cuckoo clocks and chocolates and telling stories of that time that Tex was confused about what size coin to give the prostitute.



            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Thanks for the insight... i might do that
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:05
















            5












            $begingroup$

            It could be a system similar to the Dorsai of Gordon Dickson, which was actually based loosely on medieval Swiss practices. The Swiss were notable mercenaries through the Renaissance, getting shout outs from Machiavelli and Shakespeare.



            It doesn't have to be a mandatory thing for it to be an important export to the country. If being a soldier is a good way for a second or third son to get enough money for his own farm/mill/bakery/hookah parlor then there will be lines out the door. Men in their late teens/early 20s are infamous for being aggressive and short sighted.



            People who enjoy warring and are good at it could come back and use their earnings to recruit younger men into squads of their own. After a couple of successful campaigns, their recruits could afford to front money for recruits of their own as well as pay a percentage up.



            Eventually, it becomes time to retire to the simple life selling cuckoo clocks and chocolates and telling stories of that time that Tex was confused about what size coin to give the prostitute.



            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Thanks for the insight... i might do that
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:05














            5












            5








            5





            $begingroup$

            It could be a system similar to the Dorsai of Gordon Dickson, which was actually based loosely on medieval Swiss practices. The Swiss were notable mercenaries through the Renaissance, getting shout outs from Machiavelli and Shakespeare.



            It doesn't have to be a mandatory thing for it to be an important export to the country. If being a soldier is a good way for a second or third son to get enough money for his own farm/mill/bakery/hookah parlor then there will be lines out the door. Men in their late teens/early 20s are infamous for being aggressive and short sighted.



            People who enjoy warring and are good at it could come back and use their earnings to recruit younger men into squads of their own. After a couple of successful campaigns, their recruits could afford to front money for recruits of their own as well as pay a percentage up.



            Eventually, it becomes time to retire to the simple life selling cuckoo clocks and chocolates and telling stories of that time that Tex was confused about what size coin to give the prostitute.



            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            It could be a system similar to the Dorsai of Gordon Dickson, which was actually based loosely on medieval Swiss practices. The Swiss were notable mercenaries through the Renaissance, getting shout outs from Machiavelli and Shakespeare.



            It doesn't have to be a mandatory thing for it to be an important export to the country. If being a soldier is a good way for a second or third son to get enough money for his own farm/mill/bakery/hookah parlor then there will be lines out the door. Men in their late teens/early 20s are infamous for being aggressive and short sighted.



            People who enjoy warring and are good at it could come back and use their earnings to recruit younger men into squads of their own. After a couple of successful campaigns, their recruits could afford to front money for recruits of their own as well as pay a percentage up.



            Eventually, it becomes time to retire to the simple life selling cuckoo clocks and chocolates and telling stories of that time that Tex was confused about what size coin to give the prostitute.



            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_mercenaries







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Feb 28 at 21:03









            MongoTheGeekMongoTheGeek

            922210




            922210












            • $begingroup$
              Thanks for the insight... i might do that
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:05


















            • $begingroup$
              Thanks for the insight... i might do that
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Feb 28 at 21:05
















            $begingroup$
            Thanks for the insight... i might do that
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Feb 28 at 21:05




            $begingroup$
            Thanks for the insight... i might do that
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Feb 28 at 21:05











            4












            $begingroup$

            As hszmv mentioned, Machiavelli strongly advised against using mercenaries in his theoretical work "Il Principe" since they are in their essence unreliable. It is of course much more comfortable to pay mercenaries than to train your own troops, but in the end you can never be sure that mercenaries will actually fulfill their promise. In times of peace they will hang around and gladly take your money but when the tide turns for the worse you cannot be sure of their loyalty.



            They are only in it for the money, which means they can always be paid off by your enemy. And even if this does not happen, battle morale of such troops can always be expected to be worse than that of troops with family/financial/etc. ties to your realm. When a mercenary is faced with the option to either fight and possibly die or flee and take the money with him, the outcome will be the latter one in many cases.



            For these reasons Machiavelli stated that a good ruler should always field his own army, even though the initial investment is high.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Mar 1 at 16:08






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
              $endgroup$
              – Sherwood Botsford
              Mar 1 at 21:02
















            4












            $begingroup$

            As hszmv mentioned, Machiavelli strongly advised against using mercenaries in his theoretical work "Il Principe" since they are in their essence unreliable. It is of course much more comfortable to pay mercenaries than to train your own troops, but in the end you can never be sure that mercenaries will actually fulfill their promise. In times of peace they will hang around and gladly take your money but when the tide turns for the worse you cannot be sure of their loyalty.



            They are only in it for the money, which means they can always be paid off by your enemy. And even if this does not happen, battle morale of such troops can always be expected to be worse than that of troops with family/financial/etc. ties to your realm. When a mercenary is faced with the option to either fight and possibly die or flee and take the money with him, the outcome will be the latter one in many cases.



            For these reasons Machiavelli stated that a good ruler should always field his own army, even though the initial investment is high.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Mar 1 at 16:08






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
              $endgroup$
              – Sherwood Botsford
              Mar 1 at 21:02














            4












            4








            4





            $begingroup$

            As hszmv mentioned, Machiavelli strongly advised against using mercenaries in his theoretical work "Il Principe" since they are in their essence unreliable. It is of course much more comfortable to pay mercenaries than to train your own troops, but in the end you can never be sure that mercenaries will actually fulfill their promise. In times of peace they will hang around and gladly take your money but when the tide turns for the worse you cannot be sure of their loyalty.



            They are only in it for the money, which means they can always be paid off by your enemy. And even if this does not happen, battle morale of such troops can always be expected to be worse than that of troops with family/financial/etc. ties to your realm. When a mercenary is faced with the option to either fight and possibly die or flee and take the money with him, the outcome will be the latter one in many cases.



            For these reasons Machiavelli stated that a good ruler should always field his own army, even though the initial investment is high.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            As hszmv mentioned, Machiavelli strongly advised against using mercenaries in his theoretical work "Il Principe" since they are in their essence unreliable. It is of course much more comfortable to pay mercenaries than to train your own troops, but in the end you can never be sure that mercenaries will actually fulfill their promise. In times of peace they will hang around and gladly take your money but when the tide turns for the worse you cannot be sure of their loyalty.



            They are only in it for the money, which means they can always be paid off by your enemy. And even if this does not happen, battle morale of such troops can always be expected to be worse than that of troops with family/financial/etc. ties to your realm. When a mercenary is faced with the option to either fight and possibly die or flee and take the money with him, the outcome will be the latter one in many cases.



            For these reasons Machiavelli stated that a good ruler should always field his own army, even though the initial investment is high.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Mar 1 at 9:06









            AndAnd

            1277




            1277












            • $begingroup$
              Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Mar 1 at 16:08






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
              $endgroup$
              – Sherwood Botsford
              Mar 1 at 21:02


















            • $begingroup$
              Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
              $endgroup$
              – L Maen
              Mar 1 at 16:08






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
              $endgroup$
              – Sherwood Botsford
              Mar 1 at 21:02
















            $begingroup$
            Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Mar 1 at 16:08




            $begingroup$
            Yes, but i'm asking the question from the Mercenary's country's POV... not the people who hire them... whatever the consequences my be.
            $endgroup$
            – L Maen
            Mar 1 at 16:08




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
            $endgroup$
            – Sherwood Botsford
            Mar 1 at 21:02




            $begingroup$
            After serving in far off places for a decade or two, what loyalty would a merc have toward his nation of birth?
            $endgroup$
            – Sherwood Botsford
            Mar 1 at 21:02


















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