Civilian Contractors in War

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how in recent years the military has been reduced in numbers and funding. These changes have made it necessary to increase the use of civilian contractors during times of war. The paper explains that they provide contract labor in areas that require special handling and when the project or job is over they leave without retirement pay or other benefits. The paper describes how contractors provide technical expertise and support where the logistical decisions can mean life or death on the battlefield of war. The paper concludes that with the reduction of funding and troops in the military, the use of civilian contractors is the prudent and cost effective way to maintain military strength without having to increase the cost of the military.

From the Paper:

"They provide expertise with a focus on technology, as well as a cost reduction for the United States Armed Service Corps. Contractors are paid by the job which relieves the government of responsibility for their retirement pension fund, vacation or sick pay and other things that are typically provided in a traditional military or private sector job.
Another element to increased civilian contract use is the need for military personnel in other operations. The use of civilian contractors frees up military personnel for other operations while not reducing the work or coverage in the areas that the civilians work with."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Contractors on the "battlefield:" providing adequate protection, anti-terrorism training, and personnel recovery for civilian contractors accompanying the military in combat and contingency operations. Houston Journal of International Law; 1/1/2006; Addicott, Jeffrey F.
• Managing contractors in joint operations: filling the gaps in doctrine: contractors on the battlefield have become a fact of life for the armed services. But comprehensive doctrine on how the services should manage those contractors is lacking.Army Logistician; 3/1/2004; Ellis, Sandra N.

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