Calling someone a “mercenary” is a put-down. Most soldiers fight for their own country or group, directed by officers of that country / group. Mercenaries often call themselves “professional soldiers.” They are paid well to do military jobs, and they answer only to the boss of their business. The United Nations Mercenary Convention (2001) made the use of mercenaries illegal. Thirty-five countries (not the U.S.) signed it. The U.S., and many other countries, pay billions of dollars to PRIVATE MILITARY CONTRACTORS (PMCs), who then hire individuals (often ex-soldiers) to do many, if not all, of the things soldiers do, including killing with many levels of weapons. Although individuals (they often also call themselves PMCs) who work for PMCs often do not consider themselves mercenaries, the line between PMCs and mercenaries is very blurry.