In Defense of Blackwater and the Modern Day ‘Merc’
Ok, here is the Blackwater column I’ve been working on. Barring a relatively few minor revisions this should be up fairly soon on a variety of places on the web. It’s already up at Watchblog.
The mere mention of private military companies is enough to panic the OH MY GOD squad of American society and leaves them loudly shrieking fascism and totalitarianism, murder and thuggery.
There have been scores of private military companies and security firms employed by the Department of Defense and the State Department in Iraq since the war began. The most famous of all the “professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations firms” is the North Carolina based Blackwater USA.
In addition to Blackwater, other significant private security/military companies include DynCorp, Erinys, Aegis Defense Services, Kroll Inc., ArmorGroup, Hart, Steele Foundation, Global Risk Strategies, and CACI. According to the Pentagon, private military companies are subject to both U.S. military law and to more recent statutes governing the conduct of contractors who deploy with U.S. troops.
So far this year Blackwater has guarded 1,873 convoys, out of which there were 56 shootings, or less than 3% of all assignments. Last year, the company had 6,254 missions and 38 incidents. Since the beginning of the Iraq war 27 Blackwater contractors have been killed while guarding U.S. officials and no U.S. diplomat had lost their life on missions protected by Blackwater. Overall, some 428 security contractors have been killed in Iraq and an unknown number wounded. There are no definitive public figures for the amount of mission’s that have been completed by armed private contractors in Iraq or how many shooting ‘incidents’ they may have been engaged in.
The usual suspects have smeared such companies as whores of war, fascists, SA, Freikorps, soldiers of fortune, and even as some sort of Praetorian Guard. And while such grasping analogies are fun for the attention grabbers, partisan hacks, professional pundits, and uninformed rabble rousers they are poor historical comparisons at best. Hysteria and histrionics attracts attention to your cause and makes great headlines but in the real world they make a poor contribution to the debate on public policy.
Private military companies are in fact a new and unique twist on an old idea; private citizens engaging in warfare as partners with their government against a common enemy. They are the ultimate outsourcing in the global War on Terror and an integral part of the United States ability to wage counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations throughout the world.
It seems to me that the latest media frenzy about private military companies and Blackwater in particular, is just another attempt to politically damage President Bush and to undermine the overall mission in Iraq. The sudden ‘outrage’ now being expressed on Capitol Hill and in the press about Blackwater, and private security contractors in general, seems to be little more than the latest manufactured outrage of the week. (Remember the “outrage” over Haliburton?)
If the critics of the current administration and the guardians of perpetual outrage would show this much anger and outrage at the enemy the U.S. would be a lot closer to winning the Iraq war and the larger overall War on Terror. The pacifists and appeasers on the Left have decided that they cannot win by attacking the military and smearing General Petraus so now they have moved on to attacking the underpinning organizations that are supporting the mission in the field. They have suffered severe blowback in the past for questioning and attacking the troops and for threatening to pull the financial rug out from under them. The ‘modern day merc’ is a relatively unknown and mysterious entity that makes a far easier target than the uniformed military and it does not have the reflexive patriotic defenders that the military enjoys.
Much has been made about the Iraq government’s complaints about Blackwater. I think we can kindly, and with little consequence, tell the Iraqi leader to mind his P’s and Q’s and we’ll remove any and all armed combatants when we are good and ready, and not a minute before that. When he gets his political situation and own military up to snuff then he can complain about a handful of incidents among the tens of thousands of armed security contractors in Iraq.
The security contractors play an important role supplementing troop strength by guarding static infrastructure, politicians and diplomats, and vital convoys. By doing so they free up the uniformed members of the military for combat, patrols, raids and the other necessary roles that they play in a combat zone. There is no argument that the U.S. military is limited in size and that there has been difficulties in maintaining the elevated troop levels needed to provide the military stability required to suppress the various terrorist and militia insurgents and to prevent sectarian violence.
If private military companies are not allowed to operate in the Iraqi theater of operations, the estimated 50,000 armed contractors would be extremely difficult to replace. There has already been an outcry at the deployment of an additional 30,000 U.S. boots on the ground (the Surge). To suddenly announce that we need tens of thousands of additional troops to babysit journalists, drive trucks, protect convoys and guard diplomats would be absurd and a no-starter both politically and militarily.
“There is simply no way at all that the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security could ever have enough full-time personnel to staff the security function in Iraq. There is no alternative except through contracts.” – current U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker
The private security contractors in Iraq are almost entirely ex-military and most are from elite fighting units. They are familiar and comfortable working with the military establishment and have been trained by the very governments they are working for. The modern day ‘merc’ is not the bloodthirsty soldier of fortune slaughtering, raping and pillaging across the landscape in the service of a warlord as many of the loudest voices of criticism would seem to have you believe.
In stark contrast, the average armed contractor is highly trained, highly motivated and willing to risk life and limb in an often very dangerous environment. They have been accused of being gung ho, cocky, swashbuckling and foul-mouthed on occasion but I wouldn’t expect any less from such types in a volatile war zone facing off against the most ruthless of enemies. Though mistakes and poor decisions have undoubtedly been made, private security contractors have not been shown to have any greater amount of questionable ‘incidents’ than the regular U.S. military or its allies in the country.
They are far more reliable, trustworthy and disciplined than many of their counterparts in the Iraqi military, police and security forces. Until the day comes that the Iraqis themselves are able to provide the security and services that the private security companies provide, or stabilize the situation so such companies are not needed, they should and will remain a valuable piece of the security establishment not just in Iraq, but wherever the battle against Islamofascism and rogue regimes takes them.
The concept of the privatized army will gain momentum in the future as a nervous public increasingly doesn’t like troops in harms way and politicians panic everytime the public expresses a bit of displeasure. But the level of public interest, outrage or concern about the deaths and injuries occuring among the private military companies is minimal and, amazingly, many on the Left have actually cheered these casualties.But that makes them invaluable as well. They (normally) exist beneath the radar. Despite the various qualms and public aversion, there is a global need, nonetheless, for well-trained, well-armed forces loyal to the capitalist, democratic West.
If the Blackwater types are becoming the American equivalent of the French Foreign Legion fighting ‘unpopular wars’ for national interest, then they have my blessing. The wars that the U.S. will be fighting around the globe need to be fought utilizing special forces, overwhelming air power, proxy armies, native militias, warlords, tribal clans, good intelligence, massive power, and, if need be, private U.S. and allied ‘armies’ of ex-military types willing to risk it all for a good paycheck. I support doing what it takes to avoid bogging the military down as we have succeeded in doing in Iraq, reducing U.S. military casualties, and ensuring victory against Islamofascists and the enemies of Western Civilization throughout the world.
gurusteve
DFV the Scribe
Andre the Defiant
Wes
pg - your humble messenger
hairybeast
thompaine
Drowning Creek
Fantastic article Dave! There is so much detail here that I want to give thoughtful comment to, but I can not until tomorrow. I did want to get in an ‘atta boy tonight though!
pgwarner
4 Oct 07 at 7:58 pm
Thank you, I appreciate that.
By the way, your little ‘bio’ pic is really good. I’d keep that one for sure.
Dave the Infidel Sage
4 Oct 07 at 9:56 pm
It would bear repeating that Blackwater is a private security company as Dave stated. Critics tend to forget that fact. Unless we change our laws, they are free to operate as they see fit here and overseas.
I also would note that these “guardians of perpetual outrage” (I love that) bemoan the fact that Blackwater and the other security contractors are beyond, outside, above or a number of other locations in relationship to our or other countries laws. This is simply not true. There is no evidence to back this up.
I am tempted to go on and make more points, but I really have nothing new to add. Dave covered all the bases here.
I will close with this summation: There is NOTHING illegal, immoral, or unadvisable about the modern day “Merc”. These highly trained and effective forces will be increasingly needed in the changing landscape of war. The coming conflicts (be sure to know this is just starting) will require quick adaptation if the defenders of freedom hope to prevail. Even though the military may groan about rogues outside of the chain of command, and fools will wring their hands over every perceived negative incident, the need for these companies will only increase.
pgwarner
6 Oct 07 at 4:28 pm
Excellent column. Privately contracted soldiers have existed from Rhamses II to the Greeks to the Vikings to the British Empire. They certainly exist in many forms today on behalf of the rich United States, and most of them are much more shadowy than Blackwater. This is reality.
DFV the Scribe
8 Oct 07 at 10:41 pm
[...] {See also my latest post on Blackwater : In Defense of Blackwater and the Modern Day ‘Merc’} [...]
More on the Modern Day Mercs « Constitution Club
8 Oct 07 at 11:22 pm
[...] Global War on Islamic Jihadists — pgwarner @ 7:56 pm Since the Iraq War is going better the Guardians of Perpetual Outrage need to find something else to rouse the congregation with. They have been trying to resurrect the [...]
Waterboarding: Please help me care. « Constitution Club
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[...] the Iraq War is going better the Guardians of Perpetual Outrage need to find something else to rouse the congregation with. They have been trying to resurrect the [...]
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12 Dec 07 at 1:16 pm
Criminals IMO and no doubt they have US Property in their possession(1 Billion in missing arms in Iraq).Better paid & better protected than our own military.On top of all that Immunity to our LAWS….These guys need to goto gitmo themselves for some waterboarding.
Thomas
13 Dec 07 at 12:03 am
Here is a video that demonstrates that Mercenary Armies are immoral and unBiblical:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qm4lv0iPMSM
I challenge anyone to demonstrate the morality or legality of mercenaries from the Scripture Alone. It can’t be done.
Monty L. Collier
29 Mar 08 at 2:28 pm
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you all seem to be living in an action movie inspired fantasy world. The truth is these guys do work above the constraints of an independent legal framework. The prove lies in the fact that Blackwater in particular was given official immunity by the Iraqi Occupation Provisional Authority (Paul Bremer) in Order 17. This fact is also illustrated by the fact that no private soldier has been prosecuted in either the UCMJ, US courts, or anywhere else. How does the presence of high paid soldiers affect the moral of those in uniform getting paid peanuts and being held accountable in military courts? I agree that this war would not be possible without their existence, but what does that say about this war, and about us as a country? Therefore I argue not for their complete elimination, I just hope that when Blackwater arrives after a natural disaster or terrorist attack here at home, we will have established some sort of policy to hold these mercenaries accountable for their actions… or it might be you or your family in a state of “perpetual outrage”.
john doe
2 Apr 08 at 10:17 am
I just hope that when Blackwater arrives after a natural disaster or terrorist attack here at home, we will have established some sort of policy to hold these mercenaries accountable for their actions… or it might be you or your family in a state of “perpetual outrage”.
You must be PISSED that Jericho got canceled.
hairybeast
2 Apr 08 at 3:59 pm
Monty - sorry, none of us will bother propping up your straw man for you, but feel free to swing away.
hairybeast
2 Apr 08 at 4:03 pm
The guys fly around like fucking maniacs shooting anything and everything for no apparent reason and you can come up with an actual plausible defense, that is absolute madness at it’s best. I mean doesn’t the fact that they have legal immunity seem sketchy enough? I mean c’mon it’s they are nothing more than some sick tool used to threaten and intimidate Iraqis with these derranged wanna-be cowboys!
Scizzler
3 Apr 08 at 11:04 pm
“Private military companies are in fact a new and unique twist on an old idea; private citizens engaging in warfare as partners with their government against a common enemy.”
-This is a flawed point. In the long run private soldiers don’t have a common enemy, they fight whoever they get paid to fight. Also, PMFs can be hired not just by governments, but by any stateless group or individual that has deep enough pockets (i.e. Greystone LTD, an off-shore subsidiary of Blackwater). You are right about PMFs being a new twist on an old idea; mercenary firms today operate in a perversion of the free-market economic model that is constantly used to push for privatization of government duties. Only we aren’t talking about FedEx, we are talking about private armies with the capability of overthrowing sovereign governments. So whether you are supportive of PMFs or not, one has to recognize far-reaching implications that the opening of such a market will have on our increasingly interconnected world. Since the advancement of the “sovereign state” idea, hardly anyone has challenged the importance of a government’s monopoly over the use of military power. My only argument is that this shift marks an important turning point (some might say regression) in our continuing human history that should be explored and discussed. Also, to hairydouche, never seen Jericho, but judging by the commercials I am happy to hear that it got the axe…I appreciate the meaningful response.
john doe
4 Apr 08 at 9:40 pm
[...] @ 8:21 pm Ever since I wrote a couple posts on Blackwater and the modern day mercs (here and here) I have continued my research and interest in the subject. I signed up for the Blackwater Tactical [...]
Blackwater Tactical Weekly « Constitution Club
21 Apr 08 at 9:48 pm
The immunity mentioned in previous posts applies not to just contractors but the US military and allied forces. It is not a complete immunity just immunity from Iraqi law. This is very common in diplomatic missions and is the same immunity we extend to diplomatic convoys of other countries while visiting the US. Each person can still be criminally prosecuted in his/her home country per the laws of that country.
The most common misconception is the huge discrepancy of pay between contractors and military. Contractors receive a daily rate only when they are on contract. This does not include any retirement benefits, medical, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, vacation, and many other fringe benefits included on top of military base pay. It is true that the contractor will make more in a calendar year than a soldier, but after the conflict is over the expense of that contractor is discontinued. Imagine the cost if Diplomatic Security had to hire 1,300 people today as well as support people back in the US. What would the 20 year cost of that be, additional facilities needed to house and run these operations? Pensions? Health benefits? Other fringe benefits? Given that the government does not frequently have RIF’s we need to look at the 20 year costs to compare a short term need filled by contractors.
Lastly many people use the word “merc” and “mercenary” without understanding the hurt it causes. Many of the contractors KIA referenced in the article were killed protecting diplomats. As 99% of these contractors are former military it is very hurtful for a widow or child to hear people refer to their husband or father as a “merc” or “mercenary” when he/she made the ultimate sacrifice for his/her country. Many may respond that they were doing it for the money but those will be the people who have never met any of these contractors. Let’s spend less time debating if they fit the definition of a mercenary and more time honoring the fact that they clearly meet the definition of a patriot.
L'Enfant
22 Apr 08 at 5:46 am
My goodness, it is about time someone expressed some sanity on this thread. Thank you for your informed and thoughtful comment L’Enfant.
pg - your humble messenger
22 Apr 08 at 10:10 am
[...] received a comment this morning by someone using the name L’Enfant on Dave’s old post In Defense of Blackwater and the Modern Day ‘Merc’. I did not want it to get lost in the shuffle. The immunity mentioned in previous posts applies [...]
We stand corrected, they are patriots not mercenaries. In Defense of Blackwater and Modern Day Patriots. « Constitution Club
22 Apr 08 at 11:17 am