Prompt Cast
The History and Role of Mercenaries
TLDR Mercenaries have been used throughout history as soldiers for hire, fighting for money rather than ideology. They have played a significant role in conflicts such as the Hundred Years War and continue to be utilized today as private military contractors for various tasks, although their popularity has fluctuated over time.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The podcast episode titled "How Mercenaries Work" discusses the history and role of mercenaries, who are soldiers for hire that are universally disliked because they fight for money rather than for ideological reasons.
03:41
Mercenaries have been used throughout history, including in the Hundred Years War, and the Swiss guard is an example of a famous group of mercenaries.
07:01
Mercenaries were popular in the 16th century because they specialized in different weapons and had different aspects of their companies, but their popularity declined until World War II when German volunteers were technically not mercenaries but fulfilled many of the criteria.
10:33
To be considered a mercenary, you must be specially recruited to take part in the conflict, not a member of the armed forces of the state that recruited you, actively engage in hostilities, be motivated by private gain, and be paid substantially more than the ordinary armed forces of that state.
13:57
Private military contractors, or mercenaries, are often hired to provide security and defense in conflict zones, and there are more contractors than members of the United States military, with over 180,000 contractors working in Iraq alone.
17:35
The French Foreign Legion was established in 1831 to put able-bodied men seeking their fortune in France to good use, and after three years of service, legionnaires can gain French citizenship.
20:59
After passing through medical checkups and basic training, legionnaires are sent to one of 11 regiments around the world, and since 1831, over 35,000 legionnaires have been killed in combat.
24:32
Private military contractors are used for a variety of tasks, including combatting poachers, providing security for corporations, and engaging in counter-drug operations, but there are risks involved, such as a lack of loyalty and potential for betrayal.
28:12
The hosts receive emails from listeners sharing their near-death experiences and invite anyone with a story to share to email them.
Categories:
Society & Culture
