It turns out the DoD didn’t need to report mercenaries the same way it reported US and allied troops so they’d hire cheap mercs from less wealthy nations and then give them missions like convoy duty through contested zones.
Still a casualty for the war, but one the American government felt no shame in sweeping under the rug. It’s even worse when you realize it wasn’t like they were contracting Filipino companies or anything, it was American/Allied merc companies specifically recruiting cannon fodder they’d deliberately forget.
The ratio is lower than reported for Iraq.
It turns out the DoD didn’t need to report mercenaries the same way it reported US and allied troops so they’d hire cheap mercs from less wealthy nations and then give them missions like convoy duty through contested zones.
Still a casualty for the war, but one the American government felt no shame in sweeping under the rug. It’s even worse when you realize it wasn’t like they were contracting Filipino companies or anything, it was American/Allied merc companies specifically recruiting cannon fodder they’d deliberately forget.