Senator Sanders Disturbed By Large Presence Of Military Contractors In Iraq And Afghanistan

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says Tuesday that he is bothered by the fact that the U.S. military uses so many contractors to help fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sanders and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced legislation today that would phase out private security contractors in war zones. (:23)
Listen

Comments

[Chuck McIntyre]

As a long time DOD civilian, involved in the budgetary functions of the DOD, The reason contractors are used is because of budgetary rules. If the DOD asks for troops to full fill the mission of security, it will swell the size of the forces, resulting in a budget shortfall, when the need diminishes. If a contractor is utilized, the contract can be severed without impact on the total force structure.
guarding Embassies and embassy personnel used to be done by Marines, who were trained specifically for the position, along with their combat training.
Having security forces contracted through the State department, allows more discretionary funding to be used (read black money).
The fact that a member of congress does not know the funding system of DOD is of great significance, or should be to voters in his state.
Of course, the statements about congress by Mark Twain are still valid, as far as I can tell.
WADR