Today's Article
This is 'the highest
recorded percentage
of contractors used by
DoD in any conflict in
the history of the
United States,'
declared the gov't
report.
recorded percentage
of contractors used by
DoD in any conflict in
the history of the
United States,'
declared the gov't
report.
The American Spark
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U.S. Has More Contractors Than Soldiers In Afghanistan
By Cliff Montgomery - Oct. 1st, 2009
U.S. Defense Department contractors in Afghanistan now outnumber the uniformed American military
personnel in that country, declares a recent study from the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
It gets better.
"As of March 2009, there were 68,197 DOD contractors in Afghanistan, compared to 52,300 uniformed
personnel," stated the August report.
"Contractors made up 57% of DOD’s workforce in Afghanistan," the study continued.
"This apparently represented the highest recorded percentage of contractors used by DOD in any conflict in
the history of the United States," declared the CRS report.
As Obama officials debate a possible increase of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the CRS report reminds
American citizens of their high reliance on defense contractors in that war-torn nation.
The study points outs that over 75% of the contractors are Afghan nationals, and that only around 15% are
citizens of the U.S. It also states that Pentagon contractors provide such essential services as logistics and
translations.
But contractors by definition are not part of the federal government. Hence they also pose inevitable
challenges in preventing fraud and monitoring performance.
These concerns increase when one reads of the Defense Department's apparent inability "to effectively
manage contractors during contingency operations."
For example, a number of analysts say that the Pentagon "has not adequately planned for the use of
contractors, lacks contingency contracting experience, and does not sufficiently coordinate contracts across
military services," states the study.
"In 2007, the Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations...found
that Contracting Officer Representatives"--the people responsible for contract management--"usually have no
prior experience with contractors and receive negligible training on how to manage contractors."
The result? In some especially ugly cases, "abuses and crimes committed by armed private security
contractors and interrogators against local nationals may have undermined U.S. efforts in Iraq and
Afghanistan," noted the CRS report.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark e-
newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Oct. 1st, 2009
U.S. Defense Department contractors in Afghanistan now outnumber the uniformed American military
personnel in that country, declares a recent study from the Congressional Research Service (CRS).
It gets better.
"As of March 2009, there were 68,197 DOD contractors in Afghanistan, compared to 52,300 uniformed
personnel," stated the August report.
"Contractors made up 57% of DOD’s workforce in Afghanistan," the study continued.
"This apparently represented the highest recorded percentage of contractors used by DOD in any conflict in
the history of the United States," declared the CRS report.
As Obama officials debate a possible increase of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the CRS report reminds
American citizens of their high reliance on defense contractors in that war-torn nation.
The study points outs that over 75% of the contractors are Afghan nationals, and that only around 15% are
citizens of the U.S. It also states that Pentagon contractors provide such essential services as logistics and
translations.
But contractors by definition are not part of the federal government. Hence they also pose inevitable
challenges in preventing fraud and monitoring performance.
These concerns increase when one reads of the Defense Department's apparent inability "to effectively
manage contractors during contingency operations."
For example, a number of analysts say that the Pentagon "has not adequately planned for the use of
contractors, lacks contingency contracting experience, and does not sufficiently coordinate contracts across
military services," states the study.
"In 2007, the Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations...found
that Contracting Officer Representatives"--the people responsible for contract management--"usually have no
prior experience with contractors and receive negligible training on how to manage contractors."
The result? In some especially ugly cases, "abuses and crimes committed by armed private security
contractors and interrogators against local nationals may have undermined U.S. efforts in Iraq and
Afghanistan," noted the CRS report.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark e-
newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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