Why are mercenaries illegal but military servicemen serving voluntarily are not?
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Mercenary_Convention" rel="nofollow noreferrer">It looks like</a> mercenaries are outlawed and are considered "unlawful combatants". Mercenaries are people who engage in combat for compensation.</p>

<p>Many states have armies where at least some of the servicemen are not drafted - they decide themselves that they want to serve but the state may motivate them by a reasonably high salary, neat life/health insurance, various other benefits such as early pensions or assistance with buying estate. Such servicemen are not outlawed - they are considered "lawful combatants".</p>

<p>What's the difference? Both categories seem to have some compensation for their service. Why are mercenaries illegal and state servicemen legal?</p>

<p>The theory behind outlawing one and instituting the other goes back to the dawn of the Westphalian nation-state. We accept soldiers that are under control of and loyal to their countries, not wealthy financiers. </p>

<p>Because service personal are not mercenaries as defined in the UN resolution cited in the Wikipedia article you linked to.</p>

international military