FS infantry employed as mercs through shell companies

[Alan Grant]

According to Historical: War of '39 page 48.

Clifton’s Rangers landed at the head of two regiments of “mercenary” mechanized
infantry—all AFFS volunteers removed from the active rolls and
employed through shell companies.

This little notation raises question marks for me. Why did the AFFS create these shell company mercenary mechanized infantry regiments?

If we were talking about a special forces unit with an air of plausible deniability, I could get that. But that's presumably not what this is.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[nckestrel]

The War of 3039 had not started yet.  The FedCom wanted an excuse to start the war.  It instigated several rebellions on former FS worlds, and when the DC cracked down hard on them, the FC claimed they were moving in to save the poor people of those worlds.
So the support couldn't be seen to be wearing FC uniforms.  They were claiming to be local militia and/or mercenaries hired by the local government.

[Alan Grant]

Ok that makes sense. Thank You

[Colt Ward]

For other times . . . its a great way for troops to get combat experience (if headed into a fight), test your equipment and work out tactical doctrine with troops & equipment.  See the Spanish civil war of the 30s.

[jackson123]

Also could use shell companies for pirate actions.

[Maelwys]

I would've laughed if that had backfired and all the "mercs" had been killed due to Kurita's "Death to Mercenaries" order.

[VhenRa]

Wouldn't you at that point declare them to be actually FedSuns soldiers... and then use THAT as pretext?

[nckestrel]

That's why they took volunteers.  If it went bad, it was going to be a real mess for the "mercs" and the FS couldn't do a thing about it.