Private Military Companies

[kato]

There are a lot of different names for the same thing.

It's not the same thing.

PSCs and LSCs replace non-essential military personnel at (relative) dumping prices, that's all there is to it - saving money. In most cases they work in areas that have always fielded civilian employees to a large degree, and in most cases they have both public and private/corporate customers as well, operating in both military and civilian environments. PSCs, depending on theater, might blur the line to mercenaries somewhat.

Depending on what area we're talking about, a lot of LSCs in a variety of nations are actually state-owned btw, shafting off former government civilian employees into outsourced companies where they typically work for less money and less employee protection.

[Red Seven]

It's not the same thing.

PSCs and LSCs replace non-essential military personnel at (relative) dumping prices, that's all there is to it - saving money. In most cases they work in areas that have always fielded civilian employees to a large degree, and in most cases they have both public and private/corporate customers as well, operating in both military and civilian environments. PSCs, depending on theater, might blur the line to mercenaries somewhat.

Depending on what area we're talking about, a lot of LSCs in a variety of nations are actually state-owned btw, shafting off former government civilian employees into outsourced companies where they typically work for less money and less employee protection.

I know the difference, I've been in the business since the mid-70s and now I hire ICs for executive CP and provide threat assessment for 5 clients south of Texas. Perhaps my post wasn't clear enough. There are a lot of different names for Private Security Companies. No, LSCs are not PSCs, I didn't say they were...but they are part of the Peace and Stability Industry, many of whom belong to the IPOA, the International Peace Operations Association. AMECO, J-3 Global and PAE are in the IPOA along with BW, SOC-SMG, ArmorGroup and SSRs like MPRI.

[dfg209]

Are there any PMC's out there that participate in actual combat but aren't seen as unlawful combatants?

[sappersgt]

Are there any PMC's out there that participate in actual combat but aren't seen as unlawful combatants?

Executive Outcomes did in Angola and Sierra Leone and Sandline.