Private Security Firms

How have private security companies made the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan worse?

Companies like blackwater and haliburton.

Public Comments

1. By indiscriminate killing of civilians.
2. They haven't. Halliburton isn't a security contractor. They provide logistics services. To many people think companies like Blaskwater, now Xe Are carrying out combat missions in Iraq or Afghanistan, instead of just guarding diplomatic personal.
3. They have not. Unless you and your friends would rather be drafted to cover the support and security operations we are providing, I'd reevaluate your stance on their usefulness. Basically, outsourcing allows an all-volunteer military to exist. It also is a more efficient way to conduct reconstruction efforts in a combat zone. The average soldier in Iraq costs approximately $25000 a month to the tax payer to keep him deployed (this includes making him proficient from a green recruit), where as it costs approximately $18000-$20000 depending on contract to put a contractor in place. He's already trained, and takes little effort from the government to train him, if at all. Now for billets that require specialized protective training, the government contracts it out to private firms who provide the training to previously experienced individuals (veterans) and then deploy them for as long as needed. When the contract is fulfilled, they are removed. Where as the soldier needs to be reassigned, still drawing the money from the taxpayer. Considering all units deploy together these days, you would have to have an endless supply of new soldiers to fill the billets through their tour lengths. Contractors can stay in place as long as they choose to. I know guys that have been here since 2003. As far as killing indiscriminately, the videos you see on YouTube may seem cold blooded, just know that when with a PSC, 9 times out of 10 if you run into trouble, no one is coming to get you. As far as shooting at cars approaching the motorcades, those were mandated rules throughout Iraq due to the extremely popular threat of car bombs. The military followed the same rules of engagement. No offensive operations have ever been conducted by a PSC/PMC within Iraq. The job description is that of protecting things, people, places, etc. As far as logistics, the chow halls here run by KBR are AMAZING, and I will take them over the military run mess halls any day of the week. This is the support our soldiers sailors and Marines deserve. So I'm sorry, not PMC's, but more accurately a few rogue individuals have made a bad name for the industry. The majority are highly professional prior-service members trying to make a living with the tools that they have, and I suspect a continued use of the private sector in future conflicts as well.