Paramilitary Facts for Kids

The Legion of Frontiersmen in Edmonton, 1915. This was a group that acted like a military but was not part of Canada's official army.

A paramilitary is a group that acts like a military but is not part of a country's official armed forces. The word "paramilitary" has been used since at least 1934.

What is a Paramilitary?
Rules and Laws
Different Kinds of Paramilitary Groups
Examples of Paramilitary Units
See also

What is a Paramilitary?

Even though a paramilitary group is not an official military, it often has similar strength, weapons, and organization. They use military equipment like long guns and armored vehicles. They also use military skills, such as battlefield first aid or bomb disposal. Paramilitary groups might also use tactics like fighting in cities or close-quarters combat.

Sometimes, a paramilitary group might work with the official military. They might even train together or use military resources. However, they are still not considered part of the country's regular armed forces.

Rules and Laws

Under the rules of war, a country can make a paramilitary group part of its official fighting forces. If they do this, they must tell other countries involved in a conflict. Some countries have laws that do not allow any paramilitary groups unless they are part of the government's armed forces.

Different Kinds of Paramilitary Groups

Paramilitary groups can be many different types. Here are some examples:

Military-like Groups

Support forces for a country's military or government, like the National Guard or a home guard. These groups often help protect their home country.
Private military contractors are people or companies hired to do military jobs.
Mercenaries are soldiers who fight for money, often for a foreign country or group.
Irregular forces are groups that are not part of a regular army. This can include militias (citizen armies), resistance movements, rebel groups, or guerrilla armies.

Law Enforcement Groups

Police tactical units are special police teams, like SWAT teams, that handle dangerous situations. They often have military-style training and equipment.
Gendarmeries are police forces that have military training and organization. They often handle both police work and military duties. Examples include the French National Gendarmerie.
Border guards protect a country's borders. They stop illegal crossings and smuggling. Examples include the Australian Border Force.
Security forces that have a mix of police and military duties, like internal troops or railroad guards.
Special branches of government agencies that handle law enforcement or security. For example, some parts of intelligence agencies might have armed teams.

Civil Defense Groups

These groups help protect civilians during emergencies or disasters. They might also train citizens for defense. An example is the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union.

Political Groups

Some political parties or groups have their own armed, military-like wings. These groups support the political goals of their party, sometimes through force.
- In the past, groups like the Nazi Party in Germany had paramilitary groups such as the SA and SS.
- During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, some political groups had armed wings, like the Irish Republican Army.
- The African National Congress in South Africa had an armed wing called UMkhonto we Sizwe.

Paramilitary facts for kids

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