BestOfBid.com - Should the U.S. Government Create a Private Army to Work in Iraq?

Should the U.S. Government Create a Private Army to Work in Iraq?

Should the federal government direct the Pentagon to create the framework for the privitization of military operations in Iraq? Specifically, the Pentagon would compose a broad scope of work -- identifying where troops are needed as well as equipment and support requirements. The contract would then go out to bid and corporations would bid for the contract -- or pieces of the contract. U.S. troops would then rotate out as privately employed mercanaries would move in. The corporation that holds the contract would be required to report progress and intelligence to the Pentagon. This is a unique conflict that requires unique ideas. (Side note: If the private army ever needed assistance (such as air support, it would be provided to them ... for a price, of course).

Public Comments

its already there
no, I think we should let Iraq deal with their problems leaving us out of it!
I appreciate your creative thinking but an army of mercenaries is an army that can not be trusted. Money motivates mercenaries. They could be purchased by another or decide after taking control that they, the mercenaries should govern. Iraq would not tolerate it, the US would not support it. Iraq must be a sovereign nation.
They already do, it's called Halliburton.
They already have. Like Cheney's pals in Hailburton, or Bechtel, you know, all these companies that are getting rich off the war.
While the combat avoiding chicken hawks that run the war would no doubt applaud your initiative, I can't think of a way to make the world think less of us. When has the term "mercenaries" every been given a positive connotation? On the other hand, I have no problem with the Iraqi government using its oil wealth to hire its own mercenaries. Support our troops - bring them home.
Blackwater? They were in New Orleans, too. See Jeremy Skahill article in the "Nation" magazine. We already train enough mercenaries, torture is the business at the School of Americas (SOA), Fort Benning, I believe.
What do you think the "Security Personel" are? They are soldiers for hire and they make big bucks. The beauty of it is is that they don't have to adhere to all the same guidelines our that our military does.