Careful Thought

Military contractors are nothing new, and today in Iraq they are becoming more active in combat situations than in the past.  This New Atlantis piece identifies three primary roles for them: 1) general support, including construction and transportation; 2) consulting firms, like MPRI, who provide training for the Iraqi army; and 3) military provider firms, those contractors that sometimes participate in front-line tactical actions.  Blackwater military contractors primarily fall into the second and third categories.  In that context, then, they are really more in line with traditional mercenary forces.  Blackwater has been taking a lot of heat in Iraq recently, particularly as they take a more active role in military operations.

It surprises me that the lefties are so adamantly against these guys.  Mercenary soldiers lighten the burden on active duty troops, thus making it easier for the Harry Reids and John Murthas of the world to decrease our troop commitment.  The tradition of the mercenary soldier goes back as long as folks have been marching out to war.  Some find it distasteful, though, and they have had a checkered past (including Blackwater).  I would contend, though, that it would be easier to put mercenary troops in the field and command them, because they would not be subject to the same restrictions as traditional troops.  Their Geneva Convention status might be problematic, but they would obviously know that going into the situation in the first place.

* - Doobie Brothers, Black Water