Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?

I never heard of a military contractor before the Iraq war. It seems they are private for profit soldiers. Isn't this what a mercenary is? And if so, why the fancy new expression?Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?because they are 2 seperate jobs. and no a mercenary is not just a private for profit soldier.



britannica defines a mercenary as "hired professional soldier who fights for any state or nation without regard to political interests or issues."



PMCs do not fit this description for several reasons.

1: they do not fight. they are not used as offensive troops by any means. they will defend themselves, their assigned person, and their place of duty if needed, but they do not go out to fight.

2: they do not serve any state or nation. you will never see aegis working in a place that britain is not taking part of, or british diplomats/interests are not. same for triple canopy, only in regards to the US.

3: PMCs tend to be deeply invested in political issues. they're not some outside gun for hire that you hire for a job then part ways.Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?
For one, the name mercenaries brings up negative thoughts.



Second , Mercenaries are ones who can be hired by anyone, follow no direct rules, etc.



Military Contract companies have to follow certain rules. They are a company , they cannot be hired by anyone, they have certain cliental , etc.



Private Military Companies have been around way before IRAQ , but Iraq is where it grew, black water became a big name, and people saw the down sides of PMC's.



ALSO BEING A MERCENARY IS ILLEGAL.



Private military companies are LEGAL.Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?Mercenaries carry out combat operations.



There are no civilian security contractors, carrying out combat operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.



They are not soldiers, they are security guards.



They don't attack anyone, they don't go on patrols.



They guard diplomats



Do you think a Brinks guard is a mercenary ?



or some celebrity body guard is a mercenary ?



NOTE: PMC's private military contractors



Mean all contractors, the cooks, truck drivers, laundry, ware house, construction, etc



Not just security contractors.
Even the Pentagon has become rife with politics. They must have a room in the back somewhere with some colonel that's charged with thinking up new sugar coatings for words that have negative connotations. "Contractors" is just a nicer word for mercenary, or hired gun, or assassin.Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?Mercenaries sound bad...military contractor sounds like a builder in the military (something like a civilian contractor) at least to the average American (which in case you haven't realized, isn't that bright!)!Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?
Mercenaries are usually individuals while these people are in a company and have to obey orders and have specific responsibilities.
Political correctness. Mercenary has such a negative connotation. Being termed a contractor implies that they operate under some Federal or Dept of Defense guidelines.Why do they call them military contractors instead of mercenaries?
Same reason that shell shock became post traumatic stress disorder. Mercs have a negative connotation attached to them so they are seen as bad.
The same reason janitors are called custodial services, less negative connotation