Researchers this week offered another reminder just how large an operation it is when U.S. soldiers head off to war.
A newly released report by the Congressional Research Service shows that the Defense Department employs more contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan (about 200,000) than it has uniformed personnel stationed in the countries (right around 198,000).
That's not a surprise to anyone who's been to a major military base in either country. Contractors help with construction projects on and off base. Contractors work in the laundry facilities and dining halls. Contractors handle maintenance and security tasks.
Most of the workers are local nationals -- 76 percent of the contractors in Afghanistan are local citizens employed by the U.S. Only about 15 percent are U.S. citizens.
The CRS reports notes that the use of contractors in Afghanistan is higher than military operations in Iraq or the Balkans, and hints at some of the work ahead for defense officials as they look off in the future to the end of the current combat operations overseas. It's no small task, as we've noted before.
But more importantly, it adds another layer of personnel that military commanders have to supervise and monitor as they complete their combat missions. From the report:
Lack of sufficient contract management can delay or even prevent troops from receiving needed support and can also result in wasteful spending. Some analysts believe that poor contract management has also played a role in abuses and crimes committed by certain contractors against local nationals, which likely has undermined U.S. counterinsurgency efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More thoughts on the issue over at the VetVoice blog.
Contractors out of control
The above mentioned link at VetVoice says it all. Perfect example is the idea of "continuity" with logistics: the DOD planners will say it causes less upheaval to have Contractor cooks, fuelers, mechanics, etc... in place so the services are not disrupted by unit changeovers. LOGCAP was orginally to provide for augmentees to suppliment not replace military Combat Service Support troops, and the Army Maintenance standard is that the primary provider for equipment maintenance in a Combat Zone is to be Soldier-Maintainers. We are growing a new generation of lower-enlisted/NCOs who are incapable of performing their MOS missions because we have a "Mercenary Contracting Force" stealing away their jobs. I know this will provoke cries from all the KBR, DYNCORP, LSI, etc,etc..... people who say they are "trying to continue to serve" or we are there for the Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine- hogwash! They are there for the almighty dollar and more jump on board due the bad economy so we get alot of quantity but not quality; a great deal of these younger Contractors are people that couldn't cut it the military, left or got kicked out, and now they are earning six figures on Uncle Sam's dole.If they believe so much in Selfless Service to the Republic let them take a pay cut and see if they would continue to serve. And I have to hear about family programs being cut so a Contractor can buy himself the equivilent of a new house every couple years-give me a break. It will never get better though as the powers that be in the Corporation who wear stars have decided that Contractors are Force Multipliers; they are at the twilight of their careers and are themselves soon looking for work(hint, hint). I would say complain to your Congressman but they are usually so deep in the pockets of Defense Contractors themselves it would be a moot point.