re: #328 Shiplord Kirel

Smith era Rhodesia is a fading memory to many Americans, if they have heard of it all, but it has iconic status in the mercenary subculture centered on Soldier of Fortune magazine.
During the “Bush war” against African nationalists in the 70s, SOF maintained a sizable crew of correspondents in Rhodesia full time and ran articles about it in every issue.
The irony is that the real Rhodesian military of the time did not care for mercs at all and would not put them on except under their regular system of enlistment and for regular pay. The latter was a pittance by American standards. Many would-be mercenaries worked there as security guards and some as technicians. Many others were unceremoniously deported for various offenses. Weapons violations, drunken brawling, and insolence toward black police officers were especially common.

May not be necessary, but I should add that this mercenary wannabe sub-group is a significant and influential component of the overall gun culture. “Served in the Rhodesian army” is a familiar claim of ammosexual bullshitters, right up there with “ex-SEAL,” but with the added advantage of being well nigh impossible to check out.