Congress takes aim at security contractors

[Subfiend]

This just in:

The latest Defense Appropriations bill goes to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives next week. Included among the spending measures is a provision requiring the secretary of defense to set minimum standards for civilian security contractors and to establish a clear set of rules of engagement for those operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. In effect, this is a crackdown on security contractors.

In my view, the crackdown is unnecessary. These guys have enough problems to deal with, and the U.S. military has better things to do too.

Just my two cents...

[leopardprey]

This is kind of pointless as Rules and regulations are already in place and have been for several years. As one who spent 7 months as a "Contractor" on a Mobile Security Team in Iraq in the capacity as a Tail Gunner in a 3-4 Vehicle PSD team with over 100 combat/high risk PSD missions, and also then spent over a year as the Manager for the largest Mobile/Static Security Project under the Dept of the Army in Iraq, I can tell you this:

1. All security personnel had Dept of Army Orders
2. All were processed through CRC at Ft Bliss and recieved CAC cards if US Citizens. If not US (Aussi, Kiwi, UK, Nepal, SA, etc..) there was a strict vetting process done by the security contractor and specific requiremetns that had to be met. And they had to have the lengthy application process for CAC and MNFI badge.
3. All security personnel were required to complete a training/selection process prior to going down range in the Sandbox
4. Were breifed on General Order #1 and all signed document agreeing to abide by General Order #1. General Order #1 was strictly enforced and failure to adhere resulted in termination of employment (Gen. Order #1: no drinking, porn, opsec requirements, etc...)
5. All secuity contractors had to have a complete package submitted, including, background check, security clearances, weapons qaulifications, zero targets, signed ROE/RUF, Signed Gen ORder #1, etc..This was turned into CENTCOM and double checked by them.
6. Rules of Engagement and Rules of Use of Force were very well explained and laid out and all signed documents of the instruction of ROE and RUF. ROE and RUF were strictly followed and strictly enforced. Failure to follow RUF or ROE resulted in immediate termination and sometimes criminal investigation.
7. Only US Military issued weapons were allowed to be used. Very strict accountability of weapons, pyro, and ammunition.
8. The majority of the Security Contractors working for me had a Military Special Operations or Combat Infantry Background. Most were already combat veterans. The TCNs on my contract as well, (ex-British Army Gurkhas) were the best.

If anyone thinks Security Contractors are loose Cowboys, they have no idea what they are talking about. At least they were not on my contract which fell directly under Dept of Army CENTCOM and US Army Corps of Engineers. My men continually risked their lives day to day, with little support. We lost many good men.

Subfiend, thanks for the comment!

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by leopardprey

THis is kind of pointless, as one who has been on a Mobile Security Team in Iraq, and also then spent over a year as the Manager for the largest Mobile/Static Security Project under the Dept of the Army in Iraq, I can tell you this:

1. All security personnel had Dept of Army Orders
2. All were processed through CRC at Ft Bliss and recieved CAC cards if US Citizens. IF not US (Aussi, Kiwi, UK, Nepal, SA, etc..) there was a strict vetting process done by the security contractor and specific requiremetns that had to be met.
3. All security personnel were required to complete a training/selection process prior to going down range in the Sandbox
4. Were breifed on General Order #1 and all signed document agreeing to abide
5. All secuity contractors had to have a complete package submitted, including, background check, security clearances, weapons qaulifications, zero targets, etc..This was turned into CENTCOM and checked.
6. Rules of Engagement and Rules of Use of Force were very well explained and laid out and all signed documents of the instruction of ROE and RUF. ROE and RUF were strictly followed. Failure to follow RUF or ROE resulted in immediate termination and sometimes criminal investigation.
7. Only US Military issued weapons were allowed to be used. Very strict accountability of weapons, pyro, and ammunition.
8. The majority of the Security Contractors working for me had a Military Special Operations or Combat Infantry Background. Most were already combat veterans. The TCNs on my contract as well, (ex-British Army Gurkhas) were the best as well

.

If anyone thinks Security Contractors are loose Cowboys, they have no idea what they are talking about. At least they were not on my contract which fell directly under Dept of Army CENTCOM and US Army Corps of Engineers. My men continually risked their lives day to day, with little support. We lost many good men.

Subfiend, thanks for the comment!

Chad,did you ever have a "close call" in Iraq?

[leopardprey]

Yes, several.

[Blue Bull]

Is Iraq the worst place you have ever found yourself in ?

[leopardprey]

Yes.

[leopardprey]

Subfiend, Thanks for your support and the work you are doing for Spec Ops personnel and Contractors.

[leopardprey]

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