How to be military contractor for a foreign country?

Last Updated on January 19, 2025

Ex-military and police officers often choose to work as private military contractors after completing their regular service in their home country. These roles allow them to continue utilizing their skills and experience, either domestically or abroad. In today’s post, we will explore the steps on how to become military contractor for a foreign country.

What is a military contractor?

A military contractor is an ex-military or police officer hired by the government or private military company to perform military or security tasks in the country or overseas operation.

The Scope of Military Contractor Jobs

The demand for military contractors often arises when a country’s military forces lack sufficient personnel to accomplish their missions. This shortfall creates opportunities for private contractors to step in and provide critical support.

High Demand Scenarios

• Conflict and Unrest: Countries experiencing social unrest, wars, or internal instability often have a high demand for private military contractors. Governments and rulers may rely on these professionals to maintain control and protect their interests.
• Critical Security Needs: Even in relatively peaceful environments, military contractors are hired to secure military bases, police stations, and other vital infrastructure.

Market Trends and Growth

The job market for military contractors has shown steady growth over the years. Historical data indicates a gradual expansion in opportunities, driven by both geopolitical factors and the increasing privatization of security services.

What is a Private Military Company (PMC)?

A Private Military Company (PMC) is an organization registered under private security regulations to provide armed or unarmed security services to clients. PMCs operate in various capacities, offering expertise in security, logistics, and military-related services.

Types of PMCs Based on Ownership

1. Private PMCs

• Privately held entities that provide services to governments, organizations, or individuals on a contractual basis.
• These companies operate independently, often offering a wide range of services tailored to the needs of their clients.

1. Semi-Governmental PMCs

• Established with government funding, these PMCs focus on protecting critical infrastructure and providing combat-related services as required by the government.
• The training and management of semi-governmental PMCs are typically overseen by military officers from the country’s armed forces.

Services Offered by PMCs

• Armed Guarding: Protecting people, facilities, or assets in high-risk areas.
• Intelligence and Data Collection: Assisting the military with reconnaissance, surveillance, and data analysis.
• Specialized Equipment Operation: Some PMCs own and operate advanced technology, such as drones, surveillance planes, and cutting-edge military equipment.

Industry Overview

While some PMCs operate at a corporate level and manage state-of-the-art resources, the industry remains relatively unknown to the general public. PMCs are indispensable in scenarios where specialized military support is needed, offering tailored services to address a variety of security and operational challenges.

Are private military companies legal?

There is no company registered around the globe as a private military. They register as a Security Company and give dual services (Military and Security). Employees of PMC are referred to as

1. military or
2. security contractors.

If their staff work for the military they call military contractors and staff who work as security they call security contractors.

The private military company offers service and expertise typically similar to government security, military, and law enforcement agencies.

Private military contractors serve as an auxiliary to the military. Additionally, some private corporate companies hire them as bodyguards for key employees or to secure the company’s premises in high-risk areas.

Scope of military contractor job;

If there is a war, Private military contractors have many chances of operating and earning. There were more than 10,000 private military companies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

In the Russia-Ukraine war, some military contractors are fighting alongside the Russian and Ukrainian militaries.

PMCs have been involved in armed guarding the military bases, installations, foreign embassies, and corporate companies. In addition, they provide logistic support to the foreign military.

In the Middle east countries. There are plenty of chances for private military companies and private military contractors since the local population does not want to join it.

The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council ) countries such as Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia have accommodated the US Army and airforce bases. PMCs provide armed guarding services to the US army bases all over the Gulf region.

Another chance for private military contractors within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is, that the GCC governments have a contract with the private military companies for the protection of the key government facilities and the royal family members.

You may notice that individuals from India, Nepal, the Philippines, Pakistan, and African nationals are guarding the government facilities in the Gulf countries with military uniforms. They’re private military contractors not the regular military of these countries.

The top private military company in the world.

1. Aegis Defence Services (London)
2. Garda World International Protecting Services (USA)
3. Management risks (Europe)
4. Erinys International (Dubai)
5. Sand line International (London)
6. AirScan (USA)
7. Academi (USA)
8. full general Battles (USA)
9. G4S the USA
   10 Jorge Scientific Corporation USA
   11 KBR USA
   12 magazine part USA
10. MPRI, Inc. USA
11. MVM, Inc. USA
    15 Northbridge Services cluster John Howard Northrop Grumman the USA
12. Raytheon USA
13. Titan Corporation USA
    18 Triple Cover, Inc. USA
14. Costello’s cluster. USA
15. Vinnell Corporation USA

The Qualification to be a military contractor;

The qualification to become a private military contractor you must have experience in the military, armed police, and law enforcement agency in your home country.

But some of the PMC companies want more than the military they require a candidate who has done commando or ranger training. Here are common criteria the candidate must meet;

• Minimum 23+ years of age.
• fluent in English speaking, reading, and writing.
• possess a Secret Services clearance or police clearance certificate.
• Military background and knowledge of Combat Arms,
• Having the worked capacity with Military officers in a series of combat scenarios.
• Must have honorary discharge record, not any misconduct discharge.
• Must be able to qualify on primary military weapons and crew-served weapons.
• Able to work in any weather condition.

SALARY;

This occupation brings more salary than you received at the military, police, or other defense departments in your home country. But there is some risk that you can be exposed to danger if the deployment country is in war.

• Low Salary: $1200-$1500
• Average: $2500-$6000
• High: $800-$1100

The salary affects various factors such as location, country safety status, and size of the company.

How to find a Private military contractor job?

The private military company does not publish an opening in public newspapers or any job portals. So, it is hard to determine which PMC requires manpower and when. As I know about their hiring policy there are three ways to search for a PMC job.

1. Submit your CV on the company website.

   Private military companies are secret services providers so, they might not make public their job openings. Every company has a website, simply submit your CV on their website. When a new applicant is needed, they can contact you for an interview.

2.  find a job online

   Not all, but some of the private military companies publish the vacancies online job portals like indeed.com, monster job, glass door, etc. I had found some private military contractor jobs for Afghanistan, Iraq, and other war-torn countries. But, make sure that you have chosen a genuine private company, not a scammer.

Even if the jobs are publicly available, you must apply if you find one from a reputable company.

Always be cautious when applying for a job online. Someone may scam you by claiming to represent a private military company.

3. Your friend will help you

Your friend who already works in PMC as a private military contractor can inform you about the opening.

The majority of private military contractor jobs are filled on the recommendation of their employees because they trust the individual whom their employees have already known.

I believe it is a good idea to contact your friends and family who work as private military contractors; they may suggest to you if the company has openings.

Final thoughts: For ex-army, police, and law enforcement agency officers, a private military contractor position may be the best option for a further career. The salary for the private military contractor depends on the level of threat in the place where you perform the duty.

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