​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Mercenary


A mercenary is a person hired to participate in armed conflict primarily for private financial gain rather than for national loyalty or public service.


Mercenaries are neither nationals of a party to the conflict nor members of its official armed forces. Because of this status, they are generally denied the protections granted to lawful combatants under international humanitarian law.


In particular, captured mercenaries are not entitled to prisoner-of-war status under the Geneva Conventions.


Historically, British personnel serving in foreign armed conflicts for payment were sometimes referred to as contract officers.