Paramilitary

A paramilitary organization is a semi-militarized force whose organizational structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but is not part of a country's armed forces.[1] Paramilitary units carry out duties that a country's military or police forces are unable, or sometimes unwilling, to handle.

Not to be confused with Paratrooper or Private army.
Legion of Frontiersmen, Edmonton Command, 1915 – a nationalist paramilitary group not officially affiliated with the Canadian Army
Generaloberst von Falkenhorst with the sisters of the Lotta Svärd, a Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women, in the summer of 1941 during the Continuation War
Paramilitary forces usually tend to wear similar but different uniforms to the military, for instance gray "urban camouflage".

Legality

Under the law of war, a state may incorporate a paramilitary organization or armed agency (such as a national police or a private volunteer militia) into its combatant armed forces. The other parties to a conflict have to be notified thereof.[2]

Military compared to paramilitary

Though a paramilitary is not a military force, it is usually equivalent to a military's light infantry force in terms of intensity, firepower, and organizational structure. A paramilitary may also commonly fall under the command of a military, even despite not being part of the military or play an assisting role for the military in times of war. Paramilitary forces can also include private military company missions.

Types

Depending on the definition adopted, "paramilitaries" may include:

Irregular military

Auxiliary forces

Political

Law enforcement

Government agencies

Home guards

Civil defense

Examples of paramilitary units
For a more comprehensive list, see List of paramilitary organizations and List of defunct paramilitary organizations.

Paramilitary uniforms and equipment
The likes of a SWAT vehicle shown here would be a Paramilitary equivalent to, for instance, an Armoured personnel carrier used by the actual Military.

Due to status and legal reasons, Paramilitary forces tend to be issued similar/capable equipment etc but not issued to the Armed Forces as they have a completely different function and role.

Commercially manufactured non-government issue "tactical gear" sold to the civilian market can be also classed as Paramilitary gear.

See also

References
  1. "paramilitary". Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. June 2011 [online edition; original published in June 2005]. Retrieved 2011-09-13. Designating, of, or relating to a force or unit whose function and organization are analogous or ancillary to those of a professional military force, but which is not D regarded as having professional or legitimate status.
  2. "Customary IHL - Section B. Incorporation of paramilitary or armed law enforcement agencies into armed forces". Icrc.org. Retrieved 2013-07-27.

Further reading
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