This study explores and compares the motives for the enlistment and demobilization of illegal armed combatants in Colombia, members of guerrillas, and paramilitary groups. An exploratory principal-axis factor analysis was conducted on survey responses of 682 ex-combatants. Four factors emerged for the enlistment: fun and adventure, economic safety, retaliation, and promises. Six first-order factors explained demobilization: survival, physical–psychological safety, civilian safety, justice, self-determination, and belongingness. Factoring of first-order demobilization factors yielded two higher order factors: safety and social relationships. Logistic regression analyses revealed significant group differences in economic safety, promises, physical–psychological safety, justice, and self-determination. Implications for the prevention of enlistment and the promotion of demobilization are discussed.