Sorry folks... but lets just cut to the chase right away: there is no more Executive Outcomes. They were disbanded in 1999; I'm merely the owner of a cool internet domain name.
Now, mind you, the fact that the company by this name has been disbanded hasn't stopped a few individuals from
"representing" themselves as being connected to Executive Outcomes* - but it would seem that they've run into tough times as a result.
* in fact, these guys represented themselves as belonging to "Executive Outcome"... not OutcomeS... a subtle distinction.
I registered the domain of "Executive Outcomes.com" several years ago because (1) I thought it was very cool (a great, ballsy sounding consulting firm kind of name) and (2) as a private joke amongst my friends, because (as a former solider) I knew what the original Executive Outcomes was - and the fact that their real domain name (when they were still operating) was eo.com.
I wasn't aware that a second domain of of
www.executiveoutcome.com was created and was (at one time) forwarding to Northbridge Services. Unfortunately, many people missed the subtle distinction of the "s" and often my name was associated with Northbridge when they did a name-lookup.
Prior to registering this "similar" name however, someone identifying themselves as being CEO of Northbridge attempted to buy the original from me a few years back by telling me that he was with the "new" US branch of the UK offices of Executive Outcomes.
I had to inform this individual that (1) Executive Outcomes (the original) was disbanded; (2) it operated from South Africa; (3) it never had a UK or US office; and (4) Northbridge's so-called "UK" main office was (at the time) a Mailboxes Etc. po box that forwarded to his US office.
Oddly enough, Northbridge's UK "office" is still a virtual office/mail forwarding service run by
MessageMail (compare the address of Northbridge's UK office and MessageMail's London office).
Of course, I'm sure it was all just a misunderstanding.
Whatever company you guys deal with as contractors to these military services companies - ensure you do your research... there are a lot of "pretenders" (and I'm not suggesting that the Northbridge crew are anything but the real thing... do the research and decide for yourselves).
I know that many of these companies are created quickly - just to get a single contract/mandate - and are just as quickly disbanded when the term is up.
Also watch out for people that are starting "new ventures" that will revolutionize the PMC business... and you get a chance to buy-in at the ground floor... it will only cost you a small investment... etc etc. That kimnd of scam has been around a long time, and I'll tell you right now - you don't sell stocks or invest in a company that hasn't even been created yet.
Yes... you can buy into a privately held company - but you are usually an officer of the company, or a member of the board. Guys and gals off the street dont buy into a new venture; in most jurisdictions you cant even make public sales of private stocks in this way... so watch out.
Remember... if you are thinking of getting into the private military services industry then, as with any employer - you should be concerned about basic benefits and services.
- Do they have coverage for you in the event of injury, dismemberment or death?
- Are you certain that your family will get your last cheque if you are dead?
- Do they have a plan for dealing with hostage situations?
- Do they have emergency extraction plans to get remaining team members out of country?
- Did they bother with basic pre-deployment preventative measures like immunization? etc... etc...
This is just a start of what is a long list... and many of these guys just give you a plane ticket and a contact. Not a good way to do business.
Finally - I just want to restate for everyone: EXECTIVE OUTCOMES is DISBANDED! I am not affiliated with the original, or with any other military services company.
I will, however, maintain this blog as a means of helping others who might dabble in this industry.
