Like an unwelcome house guest, stories of civilian contractors failing in their support of U.S. troops is Iraq and elsewhere, keep flooding the airwaves and newsprint. An Army is totally ineffective without reliable support; troops need to be fed, clothed, housed, entertained, and medicated in the rear. I always thought it was folly to replace military support personnel trained to deal with the rigors, dangers, and horrors of war, with civilian contractors who may or may not show up and do their jobs.
War is not an IPO and the U.S. Armed Forces is not a corporation. Despite Sect. of Defense Donald Rumsfelds’ protestations to the contrary, we need more men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces, period! Civilians, no matter their function, do not belong in a war zone. That is what the country formed a professional military for. Is this further evidence of the shrinking ethical and moral base of our society? Have we (the American society) in an effort to find profit in anything become completely blinded to ethical and moral principles and behaviors? What is going on?
Links to other articles of interest concerning this story:
* U.S. involvement deepens as armed conflict escalates in Colombia
* Thousands of Private Contractors Support U.S. Forces in Persian Gulf
* Corporate Warriors {audio interview with Peter W. Singer, author of Corporate Warriors}.
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