Why is BlackwaterUSA training Canadian troops??

[Topaz]

Blackwater USA is a bunch of guys hired by countries to take out their enemies. The group is US former soldiers plus some of the countries from South America. They have been paid so far by the US 15 Billion for thier presences in Iraq and I would like to know about how much Canada is paying these guys and why are their there in South Carolina?? Some of the info. on this group is they could take out the US military and take over the government if they wanted to. I, perioally don't like the idea Canadians soldiers being trained by mercenaries especially from another country.

[betsy]

Blackwater USA is a bunch of guys hired by countries to take out their enemies. The group is US former soldiers plus some of the countries from South America. They have been paid so far by the US 15 Billion for thier presences in Iraq and I would like to know about how much Canada is paying these guys and why are their there in South Carolina?? Some of the info. on this group is they could take out the US military and take over the government if they wanted to. I, perioally don't like the idea Canadians soldiers being trained by mercenaries especially from another country.

If that's true, I'd say wow. If they are that good....then what's the problem with being trained by them?

I've heard that Israelis are considered excellent in fighting terrorists, that's why they were asked to train some US military in dealing with hostage situations.

Generally speaking, don't you want to learn from the best?

Edited September 30, 2007 by betsy

[capricorn]

Generally speaking, don't you want to learn from the best?

Perhaps not. Just in case we excel. IMO we've forgotten what it is like.

[bush_cheney2004]

Blackwater USA is a bunch of guys hired by countries to take out their enemies. The group is US former soldiers plus some of the countries from South America. They have been paid so far by the US 15 Billion for thier presences in Iraq and I would like to know about how much Canada is paying these guys and why are their there in South Carolina??

Actually, Blackwater USA is nine separate business units, including government and private security training for people from all over the world. You need have no fear about your "guys" in South Carolina, since the training facilities are in North Carolina and Illinois.

Some of the info. on this group is they could take out the US military and take over the government if they wanted to. I, perioally don't like the idea Canadians soldiers being trained by mercenaries especially from another country.

No possible for BW to take over the government in Canada or the USA. Canadian Forces often train in the USA....what's the big deal? The Soldier of Fortune days are much improved, and it gives governments a lot of flexibility for black operations.

[kengs333]

Perhaps not. Just in case we excel. IMO we've forgotten what it is like.

Really? Canada's never had much of a military tradition, and while Canadian volunteers have made good soldiers in times of war, I think the best soldiers have come from militaristic societies.

[kengs333]

Actually, Blackwater USA is nine separate business units, including government and private security training for people from all over the world. You need have no fear about your "guys" in South Carolina, since the training facilities are in North Carolina and Illinois.

No possible for BW to take over the government in Canada or the USA. Canadian Forces often train in the USA....what's the big deal? The Soldier of Fortune days are much improved, and it gives governments a lot of flexibility for black operations.

Actually, I think the "guys" was used in reference to the BW, not CF soldiers. Whatever the case, I don't like it. Canadian soldiers should not be being trained by foreign organizations like BW. The military already has something of a problem in seeing itself as an independent entity; it's attempts to bud into foreign policy matters, for instance.

[Wilber]

They should get their training from those who are best able to give it. If we are going to ask them to risk their lives for us, we owe them the best training there is. Not to do so is to put them in greater danger because of our own political prejudices.

Companies and governments have people trained by foreign agencies and governments all the time, not because of politics but because either they don't have the resources and expertise to do it themselves, or because it is more cost effective.

[bush_cheney2004]

Companies and governments have people trained by foreign agencies and governments all the time, not because of politics but because either they don't have the resources and expertise to do it themselves, or because it is more cost effective.

Agreed...if the best training is the objective, then go to the best training facility. During WW2, Canadian Airborne trained at Fort Benning, GA. for jump school.

I think Blackwater and similar "contractors" will become mainstays in government and private security operations. They have well paid, motivated employees ready to go on short notice. Think of it as outsourcing special forces.

[capricorn]

Really? Canada's never had much of a military tradition, and while Canadian volunteers have made good soldiers in times of war, I think the best soldiers have come from militaristic societies.

Oh yes, Canada did have a military tradition and it is being gradually eroded. In fact, many Canadians would like to forget that we had a military tradition and anti-military minds are eager to expunge it from our collective memory. Dare I say we also had a military history. There are also concerted efforts to extinguish our knowledge of this history. One way it is being done is to perpetuate the myth that we are a nation of peacekeepers. Is it possible you bought into this?

Tradition and history go hand in hand. By removing one the other conveniently follows.

I would upgrade your assessment of the quality of our volunteer military forces from "good soldiers" to "excellent soldiers". But that's just me.

If Blackwater molds the best soldiers to operate to full potential in these modern age conflicts, that's what I want for our military.

I don't know what you mean by militaristic societies.

[Alexandra]

Blackwater USA is a bunch of guys hired by countries to take out their enemies. The group is US former soldiers plus some of the countries from South America. They have been paid so far by the US 15 Billion for thier presences in Iraq and I would like to know about how much Canada is paying these guys and why are their there in South Carolina?? Some of the info. on this group is they could take out the US military and take over the government if they wanted to. I, perioally don't like the idea Canadians soldiers being trained by mercenaries especially from another country.

What, who and how are Canadian soldiers being trained by Blackwater? Please post a link to whatever source you are citing for this info. Thanks.

`

[1967100]

I'm liberal but I have to say your claims are sourceless and baseless.

[margrace]

Agreed...if the best training is the objective, then go to the best training facility. During WW2, Canadian Airborne trained at Fort Benning, GA. for jump school.

I think Blackwater and similar "contractors" will become mainstays in government and private security operations. They have well paid, motivated employees ready to go on short notice. Think of it as outsourcing special forces.

So are we talking about the same military types as in Berma?

[Wilber]

So are we talking about the same military types as in Berma?

Where is Berma?

[Leafless]

I would like to know about how much Canada is paying these guys and why are their there in South Carolina??

Because:

"The Canadian Forces has occasionally contracted companies to provide specialized training to our personnel in those cases when specialized training is not available within the Canadian Forces due to a range of factors, including the unavailability of training resources, expertise or specialized facilities and equipment," Lt.-Col. Robertson said. He said the training is adapted to Canadian Forces requirements and procedures."

Fear mongering is not the way to get to the bottom of a story.

Simply quote the story and save yourself a lot of unnecessary frustration and speculation.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...b0-e1a7afe6b805

Edited October 1, 2007 by Leafless

[bush_cheney2004]

So are we talking about the same military types as in Berma?

No, private contractor types as in "Berma".

[Borg]

Why is BlackwaterUSA training Canadian troops??

Because those private contractoes are specialists troops from all over the world - they have incredible experience and they are very competent and professional.

While I am an admirer of the Canuck military - should BW decide to take on Canada - they have the ability, equipment and physical numbers to trounce us.

Excellent experience and excellent teaching might combine to bring a few extra guys and gals home on their feet rather than in a box. I am all for this training.

Borg

[Topaz]

I saw on one of the US news blogs and today, the FBI is investigating this guys for deaths in Iraq, that is over on yahoo.com

[kengs333]

They should get their training from those who are best able to give it. If we are going to ask them to risk their lives for us, we owe them the best training there is. Not to do so is to put them in greater danger because of our own political prejudices.

Companies and governments have people trained by foreign agencies and governments all the time, not because of politics but because either they don't have the resources and expertise to do it themselves, or because it is more cost effective.

Men who are supposed to defend Canada are being trained by guns-for-hire--that doesn't seem like a problem to you?

I can just see it: The Royal Blackwater Regiment of Canada.

How sad. My declining respect for the Canadian Forces has just dropped another notch.

[kengs333]

Because those private contractoes are specialists troops from all over the world - they have incredible experience and they are very competent and professional.

No they aren't. They're hired guns, mercenaries who believe that they are above the law.

[kengs333]

Oh yes, Canada did have a military tradition and it is being gradually eroded. In fact, many Canadians would like to forget that we had a military tradition and anti-military minds are eager to expunge it from our collective memory. Dare I say we also had a military history. There are also concerted efforts to extinguish our knowledge of this history. One way it is being done is to perpetuate the myth that we are a nation of peacekeepers. Is it possible you bought into this?

Actually, I read quite a bit about Canadian military history, and that's what I base my opinions on. I don't "buy into" things, I base my opinions on fact.

I don't know what you mean by militaristic societies.

Militaristic societies are those where the military plays a prominent role in society, like pre-WWI Europe, for instance, or medieval Japan. Canada has largely relied on volunteers to man its armies, and while they usually performed well, I think that the majority could never have been considered exceptional soldiers. The Canadian Army in WWII in N. Europe was always plagued by poor equipment and poor training. They accomplished what they did because Canadians usually fought against second-rate troops in the last few months of a war that saw the bulk of Germany's army engaged and decimated on the Eastern Front. No disrespect to the Canadian soldier who did fight in N. Europe, but let's face it, that's the way it was.

[jennie]

No they aren't. They're hired guns, mercenaries who believe that they are above the law.

They are above the law.

By agreement, they are specifically exempted from Iraqi law, and from US military law, of course, and I think by some technicality from US or other law.

But what about International Law?

But of course that would be up to the UN/US forces to enforce ... hmmm

[Wilber]

Militaristic societies are those where the military plays a prominent role in society, like pre-WWI Europe, for instance, or medieval Japan. Canada has largely relied on volunteers to man its armies, and while they usually performed well, I think that the majority could never have been considered exceptional soldiers. The Canadian Army in WWII in N. Europe was always plagued by poor equipment and poor training. They accomplished what they did because Canadians usually fought against second-rate troops in the last few months of a war that saw the bulk of Germany's army engaged and decimated on the Eastern Front. No disrespect to the Canadian soldier who did fight in N. Europe, but let's face it, that's the way it was.

In Northern Europe their opponents were often Waffen SS. At Ortona they were up against paratroops. Hardly second rate troops. You have a point about training and equipment. Canada's military had been allowed to deteriorate to a point where there wasn't a solid core on which to base a large military and basically had to start from scratch. Same goes for equipment but when it came to armour, the Germans outclassed anything the western allies had until very near the end of the war.

That has been Canada's biggest failing when it has gone to war. It has rarely been properly prepared in the beginning and as a result a lot of people have been killed who shouldn't have.

[Wilber]

Men who are supposed to defend Canada are being trained by guns-for-hire--that doesn't seem like a problem to you?

I can just see it: The Royal Blackwater Regiment of Canada.

How sad. My declining respect for the Canadian Forces has just dropped another notch.

No problem at all. They are training our soldiers, not fighting in our name. If they are the best available, that's who our people deserve. The best.

[jennie]

No problem at all. They are training our soldiers, not fighting in our name. If they are the best available, that's who our people deserve. The best.

I think we have some information to suggest they may not be the best.

[Wilber]

I think we have some information to suggest they may not be the best.

Possibly not, I wouldn't know but I have no problem with private companies doing training for our military.