Private Military and Security Companies

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Private Military and Security Companies The modern Private Military and Security Company (PMSC) came to be after the end of the Cold War. An increase in government interest in privatization and outsourcing combined with an age of warfare where civilians and combatants were increasing difficult to differentiate created the perfect environment for PMSCs to expand (Singer). Although PMSCs play an integral role in providing basic services for the United States military, the extent of their role must be reevaluated because they have been criticized for unscrupulous financial practices and lack of accountability and transparency. To completely do away with PMSCs would be catastrophic to United States military personal because of the extensive logistical and support services they provide. US troops are stretched thin in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the reluctance of congress to send more troops forces thousands of PMSC contractors to fill the holes. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were a new landmark in the role of PMSCs in warfare, with 54% of the troops on the ground being private contractors hired by the Department of Defense and 46% being uniformed soldiers (Oliver). According to George Seagle, Director of Security for the Government and Infrastructure Division of Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), since 2003 KBR (a PMSC) has “served more than 490 million meals, transported more than 675 million gallons of fuel, delivered more than 220 million pounds of mail, and washed more than 30 million bundles of laundry.” Furthermore they often construct infrastructure such as housing and mess halls to feed troops. However, many times they are involved directly in conflict, designated as bodyguards, convoys, or trainers. Although some PMSCs have ... ... middle of paper ... ...events strain relations and could be avoided if PMSCs are regulated with more scrutiny or limited to non-combatant roles in warzones. PMSCs will no doubt continue to be an important part of our armed forces. They can provide much needed services for our troops, but if left unregulated their actions may have repercussions that endanger our troops. The extent and effectiveness of their role must be reevaluated and limits must be placed on their actions to prevent further political strains and financial waste. Works Cited Oliver, Paul. The Endemic Problem of Overreliance on Private Military Contracting. 11 April 2011. Shearer, David. "Outsourcing War." Foreign Policy (1998): 68-81. Singer, P. W. "Outsourcing War." Foreign Affairs (2005): 119-132. Article. Tavernise, Sabrina. Maliki Alleges 7 Cases When Blackwater Killed Iraqis. 20 September 2007. Magazine.

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