text: do all mercenary group take only former soldiers? or do they also take non military person who have specific skill such as computer, hands to hands combat, fire arms, knowledge of political science, etc...? you will not find any 'mercenary' group that will take 'computer' and 'political science' skills as pertinent to the occupation. that's left to the person or persons bankrolling the operations. to say you have 'hand to hand combat'  or 'firearm' experience, you must have to have been a soldier. no such thing as a non soldier with hand to hand combat experience. any one can gain firearm experience as a civilian, but when comparing a small arms aficionado to a professional soldier who has years of experience around firearms, the civilian is gonna lose the pick.  you can always join some rag tag militia in a third world country who will take anyone who is willing to pick up an ak-47 and get paid with heroin and call yourselves 'mercenaries', and that's if they allow you to live if you are western.  the only possibility i can give you, is if you have expert medical schooling.  basic medical knowlege might not do because most soldiers receive that during their years in service. if you are a doctor or surgeon, the chances are good you can go anywhere in the world.   you also have the possibility of become a police officer trainer in foreign countries, much like we have in iraq training their police. but, of course, you need to get that certification here in the states before applying for those positions. there are a few companies hiring police for this, most of the contracting companies in iraq need them, so it's not hard to find. halliburton, general dynamics, paecivpol...these are some who need officers to train foreign police. hope this works for you.