Any troops here seen this before!

[Bird Hunter]

Again, there was a Government Contract officer in charge of every contract that should have been holding the contractor to task.

Also many contractors sit side by side government employees everyday supporting the guys in uniform.

Isn't regulating capitalis the same as socialism?

Not in my opinion.. If you don't have some sort of controls in place you end up with major abuses.. It's just like having a police force to maintain order and enforce rules meant to keep people in check and not abuse others...

[Haya01B]

Well this is typical of how corporate America works! Once they net the contract they slack off and just make a presence not an effort. I have seen this time and time again here in the States. Even down to your local fast food chains. I remember working at Burger King while in High School and I was working the specialty board which is chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches or pretty much anything other than whoppers and hamburgers. To make a long story short, a chicken fillet hit the floor. I picked it up and placed it over the scrap bin to drop it in for disposal. Just as I was going to release it a hand grabs my arm and moves it from over the bin. The manager shakes her head and points to the bun. As soon as she left I placed it under the other meat in the trash bin.

That's just nasty!

[raydog]

Again, there was a Government Contract officer in charge of every contract that should have been holding the contractor to task.

Also many contractors sit side by side government employees everyday supporting the guys in uniform.

Isn't regulating capitalis the same as socialism?

First, it's capitalism, not "capitalis", second, yeah Blackwater dudes do military chores, for six figure salaries next to Lance Corporals. (taxpayer money by the way). They are also NOT held to the UCMJ and in some cases almost NO codified law....you may not care about that, I do. And third, make sure you turn down your Social Security entitlement when you turn 66 because, otherwise, that would make you a socialist.
BTW, REGULATING CAPITALISM IS NOT SOCIALISM, IT's SMART SAFEGARDING AGAINST THE UNSCRUPULOUS AMOUNGST US.

Respectfully, Raydog

[HT_USMC]

There IS oversite, a government contracting officer and program manager are assigned to every contract. They are the ones that are entrusted to make sure contractors are living up to the terms of their contract.

Problem is, those assigned to the contract are being wined and dined on the same dollars they are supposed to be overseeing. Politicians love to live high off the hog.

So nobody sees that the privatizing of things the military used to do for themselves is bad?

Exactly my thoughts. Why in the heck are we privatizing food services, the PX/BX, housing, and water sanitation/purification?! These were always done for the troops by the troops; for this very reason I would imagine: costs less, money is more closely monitored, and the guy cleaning the water also has to drink the water.

First, it's capitalism, not "capitalis", second, yeah Blackwater dudes do military chores, for six figure salaries next to Lance Corporals. (taxpayer money by the way). They are also NOT held to the UCMJ and in some cases almost NO codified law....you may not care about that, I do. And third, make sure you turn down your Social Security entitlement when you turn 66 because, otherwise, that would make you a socialist.
BTW, REGULATING CAPITALISM IS NOT SOCIALISM, IT's SMART SAFEGARDING AGAINST THE UNSCRUPULOUS AMOUNGST US.

Respectfully, Raydog

I've also had issues with guys volunteering to make $100,000+ per year with little training, no unit cohesion, and worse no understanding of what the private-to-gunnery sergeant is going to be doing in a fire-fight.

If we can afford the portly fellow making six figures with all the gadgets on his rifle and sidearm, we can afford to ship his @$$ home and spend that money on the guy he was standing next to before he left and still have money left over to recruit a replacement in his wake. Wake up America!

[Liltroy]

cant really say its surprising

[Sous]

Been over there 5 times, and every time KBR is there, it is an issue with health and safety.

[Haya01B]

Problem is, those assigned to the contract are being wined and dined on the same dollars they are supposed to be overseeing. Politicians love to live high off the hog.




Exactly my thoughts. Why in the heck are we privatizing food services, the PX/BX, housing, and water sanitation/purification?! These were always done for the troops by the troops; for this very reason I would imagine: costs less, money is more closely monitored, and the guy cleaning the water also has to drink the water.



I've also had issues with guys volunteering to make $100,000+ per year with little training, no unit cohesion, and worse no understanding of what the private-to-gunnery sergeant is going to be doing in a fire-fight.

If we can afford the portly fellow making six figures with all the gadgets on his rifle and sidearm, we can afford to ship his @$$ home and spend that money on the guy he was standing next to before he left and still have money left over to recruit a replacement in his wake. Wake up America!

Same thing happens over here every day! People working right next to each other doing the same thing and one is making more while the other less. Usually happens with the temp agencies and such.

[raydog]

Semper Fi HT-USMC.

[Bird Hunter]

First, it's capitalism, not "capitalis", second, yeah Blackwater dudes do military chores, for six figure salaries next to Lance Corporals. (taxpayer money by the way). They are also NOT held to the UCMJ and in some cases almost NO codified law....you may not care about that, I do. And third, make sure you turn down your Social Security entitlement when you turn 66 because, otherwise, that would make you a socialist.
BTW, REGULATING CAPITALISM IS NOT SOCIALISM, IT's SMART SAFEGARDING AGAINST THE UNSCRUPULOUS AMOUNGST US.

Respectfully, Raydog

Well said Raydog...

[mr8ball]

Is this still going on?? If so why are they still there? It seems sad that they know and are still letting the people do this to our troops. Sad just sad!

[carlsbadbusa]

Yep, I always knew it and my guys did too,KBR/Halliburton...all a bunch of scumbags.....and we paid them by going to thier rescue when thier 100+ vehicle convoys got attacked......but thats the way it is

[busa-josh]

We did fine without contractors for the first year of the war... now its all about the profiteers... been trying to tell people this stuff for years... no one seems to get it. yet the contract companies are still there doing what theyre doing and we are all paying for it and congress is supporting it.

[Dino]

First, it's capitalism, not "capitalis", second, yeah Blackwater dudes do military chores, for six figure salaries next to Lance Corporals. (taxpayer money by the way). They are also NOT held to the UCMJ and in some cases almost NO codified law....you may not care about that, I do. And third, make sure you turn down your Social Security entitlement when you turn 66 because, otherwise, that would make you a socialist.
BTW, REGULATING CAPITALISM IS NOT SOCIALISM, IT's SMART SAFEGARDING AGAINST THE UNSCRUPULOUS AMOUNGST US.

Respectfully, Raydog

Thanks, bro...I'll work on my typing and proofreading...

I am in total agreement with you on the regulation of capitalisM...

Lastly, there are contractors that fill the ranks that don't make 6 figures but support the troops whole heartedly.

In general I see there is a lot of opinion about DoD contracting but little real knowledge.

[busa-josh]

Lastly, there are contractors that fill the ranks that don't make 6 figures but support the troops whole heartedly.

In general I see there is a lot of opinion about DoD contracting but little real knowledge.

Not to be argumentative- while deployed I never once met a contractor that didn't make 6 figures. Now I also take into account that many don't get the same benefits we do (health coverage when they return home, dental, etc.) however they maintain full access to all of the facilities we have in theater (chow, medical, dental, housing) and typically they have a much better standard of living and the income to boot.

I do not doubt the motivations of many are true to the cause- however, between $10k - 20k with vacation every three months or so makes me question the system in place when your average Soldier is making $2000 a month while deployed.

It just raises questions about the whole thing ya know?

[Haya01B]

I would like to know where the money is coming from to support these contracts and who voted for them?

[brpo]

I would like to know where the money is coming from to support these contracts and who voted for them?

Same tax dollars as the military is being paid with. Politics... State Department had to accept the current contractor in Afganistan because their bid was technically acceptable (not best value - acquisition law) despite the next closest bid was 100 million more. Security provided by the lowest bidder results in poor perfomance. Politics... contractors don't count as boots on the ground despite the fact that they carry out many of the same duties as our military.

[busa-josh]

Same tax dollars as the military is being paid with. Politics... State Department had to accept the current contractor in Afganistan because their bid was technically acceptable (not best value - acquisition law) despite the next closest bid was 100 million more. Security provided by the lowest bidder results in poor perfomance. Politics... contractors don't count as boots on the ground despite the fact that they carry out many of the same duties as our military.

Same duties???? I'd beg to differ. State Dept security folks are only providing security to the State Dept employees they protect. No contractor in either theater (to my knowledge) carries the responsibility of security for the local nationals, planning and executing attacks against the enemy and developing strategic plans. Civilians participate in certain aspects of this at times... but no where have I seen contractors with the duties of our joes.

[B@DA$$08BUS@]

That's f-ed up, wouldn't surprise me, they are and have always been a bunch of scoundrels.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dino]

Not to be argumentative- while deployed I never once met a contractor that didn't make 6 figures. Now I also take into account that many don't get the same benefits we do (health coverage when they return home, dental, etc.) however they maintain full access to all of the facilities we have in theater (chow, medical, dental, housing) and typically they have a much better standard of living and the income to boot.

I do not doubt the motivations of many are true to the cause- however, between $10k - 20k with vacation every three months or so makes me question the system in place when your average Soldier is making $2000 a month while deployed.

It just raises questions about the whole thing ya know?

I agree. Heck, I would not deploy as a contractor unless I was offered 6 figures, but I am talking about within CONUS. Not sure the question it raises because if there was not a demand then there would not be a supply. I can see where it might seem unfair to the troops but think of how much more they would be deployed if there were no contractors filling the gaps.

[HT_USMC]

Same thing happens over here every day! People working right next to each other doing the same thing and one is making more while the other less. Usually happens with the temp agencies and such.

Where? CONUS / Stateside? Civilian world or military? If you're talking about our civilian jobs here stateside - yes, I agree it does happen in that sector (too). However, life, death, and a nations freedom are not on the line...

If you are talking about military contractors/employees, I firmly believe that civil service has it's place but the contractors need to butt-out unless it's a highly specialized field and the government is having trouble finding people for a particular task.

Thanks, bro...I'll work on my typing and proofreading...

I am in total agreement with you on the regulation of capitalisM...

Lastly, there are contractors that fill the ranks that don't make 6 figures but support the troops whole heartedly.

In general I see there is a lot of opinion about DoD contracting but little real knowledge.

Yes, there are contractors that don't make six figures. I see them as actually supporting the effort and/or our troops. Those that make a living (read: killing - no pun intended) by going over solely for the money are scum if you ask me! If you want to fight, serve your country, or otherwise participate in the "conflict" - JOIN THE MILITARY!

I agree. Heck, I would not deploy as a contractor unless I was offered 6 figures, but I am talking about within CONUS. Not sure the question it raises because if there was not a demand then there would not be a supply. I can see where it might seem unfair to the troops but think of how much more they would be deployed if there were no contractors filling the gaps.

If they didn't allow these folks to do this, the supply would increase. First, you'd end up recruiting some percentage of those folks into the military through traditional means for both the enlisted ranks and the officer corps. Second, the tax dollars could be spent on increasing recruitment of quality recruits. Third, with the remaining dollars, should there be any - and I would speculate there should be - you increase the base pay across the board for the military members. Which in turn helps with recruitment.


It's real simple. Get the contractors and privateers out of our boys' way. Our guys have been trained to handle and take care of themselves and each other.