RE: Merc motivations

Tomb,

I agree that their motivation and professionalism will keep them up for
short engagements.  If it starts to turn ugly however no amount of money
is
going to sustain them.	Yes, like all troops they are fighting for their
buddies, but when the casualties start to climb they are going to start
looking towards a way out.

Magic

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gzg-l@lists.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU
[mailto:owner-gzg-l@lists.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU]On Behalf Of Tomb
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 8:37 PM
To: gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu
Subject: Merc motivations

[Tomb] I'm not sure mercenaries have poorer mission motivation. I've
seen some studies that suggest they are _less_ casualty averse than
first world forces! (At least in dirty little wars where no one really
wants them there...). I think mercenary motivation comes down to (as
most troops) their faith in their ability to do the mission required
with minimal casualties and to get paid. They have a greater tendency to
leave if they don't get paid, but EO is an example of a unit that worked
a darn long time without getting paid what it was owed! If they have
faith they can do what they are about, that is a motivational plus.
Also, so is training, equipment, and good leadership. Of course, these
are the same things that give motivational plusses in national armies! I
have more faith in some paid private military corporations than in some
national armies....

[

T.

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