What defines a paramilitary?

[ThunderCat]

From my understanding, a paramilitary is a less advanced form of a military, though it seems the definition of a paramilitary is disputed.

A paramilitary force would be like a military but not to the same advanced level.

Some define a paramilitary as a non-state military, but i see problems with that because private organizations like Blackwater/XE or whatever it's called now, are still classified as military.

So what could be a paramilitary?

 

[The Ultranationalist]

the capabilities of a paramilitary is equivalent to that of an army's light infantry. but Indian BSF, one of the 5 paramilitary force of India has also itd artillery and aviation division

 

[Ra'ad]

Good question! I am/was still confused about the same.

Btw the dictionary had this to say:

What i infer from this is, that it's a military but with a slightly low intensity role from the rest of the military. Nowadays it fills the gap between police and the military forces, so that if there is an internal contingency related to security or other, this arm fills the role. If the law and order is difficult for the police to handle, you employ this rather than calling out the military. It can be due to a very strong gang, drug lord, unruly mob, or insurgency, or in even in cases of natural disasters, to provide extra manpower. Paramilitary is also used for border watch.

In our country, the paramilitary forces e.g FC, Rangers, watch border, aid police to solve internal security and organized crime issues, and sometimes help to protect law and order during elections. In the US, they have the national guard.

The reason i think this distinct arm exists is due to the fact that it requires less training, less equipment, and is flexible in it's role. It's a mechanized infantry force, which can aid both the police and the military.

 

[third eye]

From my understanding, a paramilitary is a less advanced form of a military, though it seems the definition of a paramilitary is disputed.

A paramilitary force would be like a military but not to the same advanced level.

Some define a paramilitary as a non-state military, but i see problems with that because private organizations like Blackwater/XE or what it's called now, are still classified as military.

So what could be a paramilitary?

A semi-militarized force funded by the state whose organizational structure, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, and which is not included as part of a state's formal armed forces. There may be some similarities in equipment held by such forces with the regular armed forces.

Normally not under the MOD , they are controlled & funded by the interior ministry which justifies their application in peace time for duties assigned by the interior ministry. This would be in addition to their roles on the border if assigned.

During war they function under the armed forces which is the reason for near similar organization & basic training - this gives flexibility in their employment.

 

[ThunderCat]

I agree with most of the answers above. I think the 'para' prefix means something 'alike'. So paramedics would not be medics because their job is only to keep the medical problem of a victim (i.e injury, illness) under control until the victim(s) can be properly hospitalized, while a medics job would be to eliminate the problem.

So I think in the same way a paramilitary takes on lighter situations that a military is not needed for but too much for the police force to handle. Basically lighter form of a military as I assumed.

The reason why I asked is because nowadays people call a paramilitary something that substitutes for a military, which is i think is wrong. When the US sent the marines in Afghanistan before sending the army, I don't think the US Marines would suddenly become 'paramilitary' for a while, they are still a branch of the military.

The term 'paramilitary' seems to be widely misunderstood nowadays.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

So what could be a paramilitary?

A Paramilitary is a unit that is modeled after the military but isn't part of it.

 

[ThunderCat]

I think above answers are more accurate TBH

 

[jhungary]

I think above answers are more accurate TBH

From my understanding, a paramilitary is a less advanced form of a military, though it seems the definition of a paramilitary is disputed.

A paramilitary force would be like a military but not to the same advanced level.

Some define a paramilitary as a non-state military, but i see problems with that because private organizations like Blackwater/XE or whatever it's called now, are still classified as military.

So what could be a paramilitary?

Actually, paramilitary force have nothing to do with size, training (to a point) or equipment.

By definition, paramilitary force is a volunteer force that employ military tactics, military equipment but was not organised to National Military Force (Defence Force). So basically, any given force that uses military equipment and military tactics, as long as they do not represent national entity, they are Paramilitary.

In Short, any civil force that qualified the above requirement can be called a paramilitary force, which range from Police SWAT (Police/Law Enforcement on state and federal level are civilian agency) to local cadet cadre which train with military tactics can be called a paramilitary force

Basically, to a point if you and a few paint ball mate and you organise your group to train with Military Tactics, your group can then also be called Paramilitary.

 

[fatman17]

Definitions
adjective

1. denoting or relating to a group of personnel with military structure functioning either as a civil force or in support of military forces
2. denoting or relating to a force with military structure conducting armed operations against a ruling or occupying power

Translations for 'paramilitary'

• British English: paramilitaryA paramilitary organization is organized like an army and performs either civil or military functions in a country.

 

[ThunderCat]

Actually, paramilitary force have nothing to do with size, training (to a point) or equipment.

By definition, paramilitary force is a volunteer force that employ military tactics, military equipment but was not organised to National Military Force (Defence Force). So basically, any given force that uses military equipment and military tactics, as long as they do not represent national entity, they are Paramilitary.

In Short, any civil force that qualified the above requirement can be called a paramilitary force, which range from Police SWAT (Police/Law Enforcement on state and federal level are civilian agency) to local cadet cadre which train with military tactics can be called a paramilitary force

Basically, to a point if you and a few paint ball mate and you organise your group to train with Military Tactics, your group can then also be called Paramilitary.

In that case Blackwater/XE would be classified as paramilitary when it's not. What do you make of the previous responses?

 

[Neptune]

I am it! Me a couple centuries ago, lol

Perhaps you should be more precise in your question. Are you looking for a definition of armed organizations that are qualified to be paramilitary; or the definition of Gendarmerie and Internal Security Troops?

 

[Indus Pakistan]

I think the definition of a force organized and trained along military lines but employed in aid of civil arm of government pretty well covers it.

 

[jhungary]

In that case Blackwater/XE would be classified as paramilitary when it's not. What do you make of the previous responses?

Blackwater, KBR, XE, Gurkha international at el would be considered Private Military Contractor. They are neither paramilitary nor military, the reason behind this is they are not volunteer defence organisation, they are a "Paid-for-service" which make it corporate.

The concept of Paramilitary is quite a bit complicated, and I can actually write an article about it, but as I see most of th answer above is about either training and equipment, then they are quite honestly all wrong.

For example, in a civil war, force on both side on a civil war would be paramilitary, even tho if one side is a government force (or more correctly, former government force) and have navy ship, jet or the whole lot. The reason is, since a government does not exit during civil war, if both side decided to wear distinctive uniform, both side would considered as a paramilitary force instead of others. But if both side decided to not wear distinctive uniform, then both side will become irregular force and will not be cover in Geneva Convention.

Another example is that the US do have a paramilitary, but they are not the US National Guard. National Guard are administered by National Guard Bureau, which is a federal agency. The paramilitary force in the US is local state defender, or State Guard. Which run separately with the National Guard, but they are formed and funded by state entity.

Below is a photo of Georgia State Guardsmen in the mix of some Georgia National Guardsmen

Notice the person in your far right wear a slightly different uniform with Georgia in the name tape instead of US Army on it of the other guardsmen?

 

[ThunderCat]

I would dispute that. Firstly when you say that Blackwater/XE is not a volunteer force, what would you be implying? There's plenty of military forces around the world that are not volunteer but instead conscripted.

I would classify blackwater/XE as a private military. I would not consider Pakistan Rangers as a military organization, because I am quite certain (though I admit I may be wrong) are not trained to the same advancement as the Pakistan Army, but a more basic form of it. The same for the Frontier Corps, the Western equivalent of the Rangers. They would also be a less advanced form of the Pakistan Army.

Regarding the civil war scenario, I agree that is most likely the case, because it's unlikely both sides have military experience. IF both sides were at the same level as a military and with the same training and equipment and organization, then I would consider them both military.

As an example from science fiction, I consider the Galactic Empire's forces to be military because they are organized, trained and equipped like a military wheras the Rebel Alliance would be paramilitary since most of them are not military personal, but fighters with some experience in warfare though few of them are ex-imperial defactors who could be classified military, but not most of them.

Would compare military to paramilitary on the same comparison as medics and paramedics? I would say that would be the most accurate comparison.

 

[Zarvan]

From my understanding, a paramilitary is a less advanced form of a military, though it seems the definition of a paramilitary is disputed.

A paramilitary force would be like a military but not to the same advanced level.

Some define a paramilitary as a non-state military, but i see problems with that because private organizations like Blackwater/XE or whatever it's called now, are still classified as military.

So what could be a paramilitary?

I don't know about the definition but what I think is Pakistan should increase size of Rangers and FC and give them these weapons

Tank Destroyer

IFV

Artillery

Anti Tank and Armor missiles