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A private military contractor (PMC) is a corporation that provides armed forces trained in combat, private military, for other corporations, organizations, individuals and state military forces. The term is also used for the staff of such companies. A corporation is a legal person which, while being composed of natural persons, exists completely separately from them. ...
The armed forces of a state are its government sponsored defense and fighting forces and organizations. ...
Privatization (sometimes privatisation, denationalization, or, especially in India, disinvestment) is the process of transferring property from public ownership to private ownership and/or transferring the management of a service or activity from the government to the private sector. ...
When providing services to a State's military they may be described more generally as defense contractors. When working for a State's military the difference in nomenclature seems to be arbitrary, the chief distinction that may be made is that defense contractors supply specialized hardware and the personnel to support and service that hardware, while PMCs supply personnel with specialized skills, which often include combat experience. The 1949, Third Geneva Convention (GCIII) does not recognize the difference between defense contractors and PMCs; it defines a category called supply contractors. If the supply contractor has been issued with a valid identity card from the armed forces which they accompany, they are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war upon capture (GCIII Article 4.1.4). If however the contractor engages in combat, on capture they can be classified as a mercenary under the 1997 Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions (Protocol I) Article 47.c, unless they fall under an exemption to this clause as listed in Article 47. If on capture contractors are found to be mercenaries, they are an unlawful combatant and lose the right to prisoner of war status. A defense contractor (sometimes called a military contractor) is a business organization or individual that provides products or services to a defense department of a government. ...
Wikisource has original text related to this article: Third Geneva Convention The Third Geneva Convention (or GCIII) primarily regarded the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs), and also touched on other topics. ...
A mercenary is a soldier who fights, or engages in warfare primarily for private gain, usually with little regard for ideological, national or political considerations. ...
Protocol I: Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts. ...
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There has been a recent exodus from many special forces across the globe towards these private military corporations. The United Kingdom Special Air Service, the United States Army Special Forces and the Canadian Army's Joint Task Force 2 have been hit particularly hard. Operators are lured by the fact that entry level positions with the various companies can pay up to $100,000 a year, which is 2-3 times more than what an average special forces operator is paid. However, this conventional wisdom has been disputed especially in the United States where GAO research has detected no noticeable exodus. Special forces or special operations forces are military units which are formed and trained to conduct missions involving unconventional warfare, Counter-Terrorism, reconnaissance, direct action and foreign internal defence. ...
It has been suggested that SAS Troops be merged into this article or section. ...
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Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army Special Forces, the Green Berets. ...
Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LF) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ...
Joint Task Force 2 Special Forces duties in Canada are performed by an elite counter-terrorism unit known as JTF2 (Joint Task Force 2. ...
Gao is a city in Mali on the River Niger with a population of about 38,000 people. ...
United States
The United States State Department employs several companies to provide support in danger zones that would be difficult for conventional U.S. forces. The military employs many of them as guards to extremely high ranking U.S. government officials in hot spots all around the world. The term most often refers to the two dozen U.S. firms that provide services for the Pentagon and indirectly assist in overseas theaters of operation. Some contractors have served in advisory roles that help train local militaries to fight more effectively instead of intervening directly. Much of the peacekeeper training the United States provides to African militaries is done by private firms, and with the increasing absence of Western military support to international peace operations, the private sector is commonly utilized to provide services to peace and stability operations from Haiti to Darfur. A pre-9/11 view of The Pentagon, looking east with the Potomac River and Washington Monument in the distance. ...
The Center for Public Integrity reported that since 1994, the Defense Department entered into 3,601 contracts worth $300 billion with 12 U.S. based PMCs. Some view this as an inevitable cost cutting measure and responsible privatization of critical aspects of a military. However, many feel this is a troubling trend, since these private companies are not directly accountable to a legislative body and may cost more than providing the same functions within the military. The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization in the United States which is concerned with monitoring campaign finance laws in the U.S. and works for campaign finance reform. ...
The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated as DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ...
Privatization (sometimes privatisation, denationalization, or, especially in India, disinvestment) is the process of transferring property from public ownership to private ownership and/or transferring the management of a service or activity from the government to the private sector. ...
A congress is a gathering of people, especially a gathering for a political purpose. ...
Another issue of concern has been the recent high-profile operation of various PMCs within the United States, specifically during the initial response after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Supporters are quick to point out the stabilizing influence that the operators these companies put into place in the first few days provided, whereas detractors have levied claims of abuse and unlawful activities. Neither side has provided much proof to back their claims, however, beyond anecdotal evidence. Domestic operations are generally under the auspice of state or federal agencies such as the Department of Energy or the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, and thus a greater level of oversight seems to exist. However, it remains to be seen whether this apparent oversight will create an environment that will preclude troublesome incidents. Regardless of the political or social ramifications, the business end of it is definitely increasing. Driven by increasingly greater fears of domestic terror attacks and civil unrest and disruption in the wake of disasters, more and more conventional security companies are moving into operations arenas that would fall within the definition of a PMC. Lowest pressure 902 mbar (hPa) Damages $75 billion (2005 USD) (costliest Atlantic hurricane in history) Fatalities ≥1,836 total Areas affected Bahamas, South Florida, Cuba, Louisiana (especially Greater New Orleans), Mississippi, Alabama, Florida Panhandle, most of eastern North America Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season Hurricane Katrina was the...
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ...
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety. ...
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a Cabinet department of the federal government of the United States that is concerned with protecting the American homeland and the safety of American citizens. ...
The word conventional refers to things which are based on or conform with accepted or established use, practice, knowledge or custom. ...
Companies Among the companies in the United States mentioned as PMCs: Other international firms include: 3D Global Solutions is a private military contractor (PMC), based in Indiana (USA). ...
Blackwater USA is a United States private military contractor and security firm based in North Carolina. ...
CACI NYSE: CAI is a United States-based private military contractor. ...
DynCorp International is a U.S.-based private military contractor (PMC). ...
Kellogg, Brown and Root is an American engineering and construction company, a private military contractor and a subsidiary of Halliburton. ...
This article needs to be updated. ...
Military Professional Resources Inc. ...
This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...
SkyLink Aviation Inc. ...
Richard Marcinko as seen in the dust jacket photo for Rogue Warrior Richard Dick Marcinko (born November 21, 1940 in Lansford, Pennsylvania), who often calls himself the Rogue Warrior (also the title of his best-selling book), is one of the United States most accomplished and recognized special operations experts...
Titan Corporation is a United States-based company headquartered in San Diego, California. ...
Founded in 2003, Triple Canopy delivers security and protection solutions to governments and private corporations worldwide. ...
An international Corporation based in the United States with strong military and political connections, whose most recent claim to fame is their training of portions of the Saudi Arabian Military. ...
Aegis Defence Services is a London, U.K.–based private military contractor with overseas offices in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the USA. Formerly known as Sandline International, Aegis provides specialist security and risk management solutions to counter extreme threats. ...
Executive Outcomes (EO) was a private military company, or mercenary company, founded by Eeben Barlow in 1989 and ceasing to exist in 1999. ...
Krzysztof Rutkowski (born April 6, 1960 in Teresin near Sochaczew, Poland) is a Polish politician and former member of Sejm. ...
Sandline International was a private security (military) company based in London, established in the early 1990s. ...
Omega Group was started by veterans of the Vietnam War who looked for brotherhood after the war. ...
Debate Nicholas von Hoffmann, writing in the June 2004 issue of Harper's (p.79-80), gives a brief but strong statement of the case against the growing role of military contractors to provide personnel on or near the front lines: An issue of Harpers Magazine from 1905 Another issue, from November 2004 Harpers Magazine (or simply Harpers) is a monthly general-interest magazine covering literature, politics, culture, and the arts. ...
In theory, private contracting creates competitive pressure to reduce costs, but in practice the bidding process can be so opaque and distorted by favoritism that it becomes an empty formality... The financial savings have turned out to be highly debatable. The costs and attendant risks are not. The government's monopoly of violence -- its role as the guarantor of civil peace and the rule of law -- has been diluted by the new arrangements. On December 5th 2005 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a lecture dubbed "The Future of Iraq" at Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. [2]. During a Q&A session afterwards he was asked a question by a student regarding PMCs. December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The United States Secretary of Defense is the head of the United States Department of Defense, concerned with the armed services and The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ...
Donald Henry Rumsfeld (born July 9, 1932) is currently serving as the 21st United States Secretary of Defense, since January 20, 2001, under President George W. Bush. ...
The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), based in Washington D.C., is one of the worlds leading graduate schools devoted to the study of international affairs, economics, diplomacy, and policy research and education. ...
Student: "There are currently thousands of private military contractors in Iraq and you were just speaking of rules of engagement in regards to Iraqi personnel and US personnel. Could you speak to, since the private contractors are operating outside the Uniform Code of Military Justice, could you speak to what law or rules of engagement do govern their behaviour and whether there has been any study showing that it is cost-effective to have them in Iraq rather than US military personnel. Thank you." This article describes the military term of the rules of engagement. ...
The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the foundation of military law in the United States, consists of Title 10, Chapter 47 of the United States Code. ...
Rumsfeld: "Thank you. It is clearly cost-effective to have contractors for a variety of things that military people need not do and that for whatever reason other civilian government people cannot be deployed to do. There are a lot of contractors. A growing number. They come from our country - but they come from all countries; and indeed sometimes the contracts are from our country, or another country, and they employ people from totally different countries; including Iraqis and people from neighbouring nations. And there are a lot of them and it's a growing number. And of course we've got to begin with the fact that, as you point out, they're not subject to the uniform code of military justice; we understand that. There are laws that govern the behaviour of Americans in that country - the Department of Justice oversees that. The [long hesitation] there is an issue that is current as to the extent to which they can or can not carry weapons and that's an issue. It's also an issue of course with the Iraqis but, if you think about it, Iraq is a sovereign country, they have their laws and they're going to govern. The UN resolution and the Iraqi laws, as well as US procedures and laws, govern behaviour in that country depending on who the individual is and what he's doing, but I'm personally of the view that there are a lot of things that can be done on a short time basis by contractors that advantage the United States, and advantage other countries who also hire contractors. Any idea that we shouldn't have them I think would be unwise." The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is a Cabinet department in the United States government designed to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. ...
United Nations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...
A paper on Legitimacy and Accountability of Private Military Companies can be downloaded from www.nalin.ca
Significant events - In 1999, an episode with DynCorp in Bosnia was particularly embarrassing for the U.S. military. A Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit was filed against DynCorp employees stationed in Bosnia, which found: "employees and supervisors from DynCorp were engaging in perverse, illegal and inhumane behavior and were purchasing illegal weapons, women, forged passports and participating in other immoral acts."
- On March 31, 2004, four American private contractors belonging to the company Blackwater USA were ambushed and killed by guerillas as they drove through Fallujah. They were dragged from their car in one of the most violent attacks on U.S. citizens in the conflict. Following the attack, an angry mob mutilated and burned the bodies, dragging them through the streets before they were hung on a bridge. (See also: Operation Vigilant Resolve)
- On March 28, 2005, 16 American contractors and three Iraqi aides from Zapata Engineering, under contract to the US Army Corps of Engineers to manage an ammunition storage depot, were detained following two incidents in which they allegedly fired upon U.S. Marine checkpoint. While later released, the civilian contractors have levied complaints of mistreatment against the Marines who detained them.
- On October 27, 2005, a "trophy" video complete with post production Elvis music appearing to show private military contractors in Baghdad shooting Iraqi civilians sparked two investigations after it was posted on the Internet. (http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Aegis-PSD.mov [3] [4]) The video has been linked unofficially to Aegis Defence Services. The man who is seen shooting vehicles on this video in Iraq was a South African employee of Aegis Victory team named Danny Heydenreycher. He served in the British military for 6 years. After the incident the Regional Director for Victory ROC tried to fire Heydenreycher, but the team threatened to resign if he did. As of December 2005, Aegis is conducting a formal inquiry into the issue, although some concerns on its impartiality have been raised.
- On March 27, 2006, J. Cofer Black, vice chairman of Blackwater USA announced to attendees of the Special Operations exhibition in Jordan that his company could now provide a brigade-size force for low-intensity conflicts. According to Black, "There is clear potential to conduct security operations at a fraction of the cost of NATO operations."[5]
- In mid-May 2006, the Congolese police arrested 32 "mercenaries" of different nationalities; 19 South Africans, 10 Nigerians and three Americans. Half of them work for a South African company named Omega Security Solutions and the Americans for AQMI Strategy Corp. The men were accused of plotting to overthrow the government but the charges won't be pressed. The men are to be deported to their homecountries. [6] [7]
1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...
DynCorp International is a U.S.-based private military contractor (PMC). ...
Motto: none Anthem: Intermeco Capital Sarajevo Largest city Sarajevo Official language(s) Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian Government Republic - Presidency members Sulejman Tihić1 (Bosniak) Borislav Paravac (Serb) Ivo Miro Jović (Croat) - Prime Minister Adnan Terzic Independence From Yugoslavia - Declared 5 April 1992 Area - Total 51,129 km² (124th) 19,741 sq...
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (commonly referred to as RICO) is a United States federal law which provides for extended penalties for criminal acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. ...
CACI NYSE: CAI is a United States-based private military contractor. ...
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2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (91st in Leap years), with 275 days remaining. ...
2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Blackwater USA is a United States private military contractor and security firm based in North Carolina. ...
This article is about the city of Fallujah in Iraq. ...
MOB may refer to: M.O.B., hip hop group Mail-order bride Man overboard Marching Owl Band Mobile Regional Airport Montreux-Oberland Bernois, Swiss railway Movable Object Block, used in computer graphics See also Mob The Mob This page expands a three-character combination which might be any or...
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Disfigurement. ...
The crematorium at Haycombe Cemetery, Bath, England. ...
This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...
March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (88th in leap years). ...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
United States Army Corps of Engineers logo The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ...
United States Marine Corps seal The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military, which along with the U.S. Navy, is under the United States Department of the Navy. ...
2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Aegis Defence Services is a London, U.K.–based private military contractor with overseas offices in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the USA. Formerly known as Sandline International, Aegis provides specialist security and risk management solutions to counter extreme threats. ...
December 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → 31 December 2005 (Saturday) 25-year-old Scottish human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents are freed unharmed in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian gunmen who kidnapped them two days earlier. ...
March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in leap years). ...
2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Blackwater USA is a United States private military contractor and security firm based in North Carolina. ...
Brigade is a term from military science which refers to military echelon under a division, above a regiment where that exists as such, nowadays often a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). ...
2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
See also Mercenary (disambiguation). ...
The arms industry is a massive global industry. ...
Books - Corporate Warriors: The Rise and Ramifications of the Privatized Military Industry, by Peter W. Singer, John M. Olin Post-doctoral Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings Institution, Winter 2001-2002. ISBN 0801441145
- Licensed to Kill : Privatizing the War on Terror, by Robert Young Pelton, Aug, 2006. ISBN 1400097819
- The Market for Force: The Consequences of Private Security, by Deborah D. Avant, George Washington University, August 2005. ISBN-10: 0521615356 | ISBN-13: 9780521615358
- Three Worlds Gone Mad: Dangerous Journeys through the War Zones of Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific, by Robert Young Pelton, Aug, 2006. ISBN 1592281001
Peter W. Singer is a National Security Fellow at the Brookings Institution where he is Foreign Policy Studies Director for the Project on U.S. Policy Towards the Islamic World. ...
Robert Young Pelton is a Canadian born adventurer, journalist, and former strategic planner. ...
External links - PRIVATEFORCES.COM - references and starting point for further studies on Private Military Companies.
- International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) Trade association of companies that provide useful services in conflict/post-conflict environments.
- PMC's Monitor Association an international association which advocates for tighter rules to monitor PMCs.
- PrivateMilitary.org: a private, independent, non-profit initiative that offers people interested in Private Military Companies (PMCs) a selection of hyperlinks pointing at various firms, documents, organizations, and resources related to the PMC subject and debate. A free and open resource: no sign-in, log-in, or tracking.
The Center for Public Integrity is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization in the United States which is concerned with monitoring campaign finance laws in the U.S. and works for campaign finance reform. ...
The Foreign Affairs Committee is one of many Select Committees of the British House of Commons, which scrutinises the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. ...
July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ...
For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...
Iraq - "Fury at 'shoot for fun' memo: Outburst by US security firm in Iraq is attacked by human rights groups", Guardian Unlimited, April 3 2005 - on civilian casualties Blackwater is responsible for.
- New York Times ran an article in the Magazine section in the August 14, 2005 issue about the use of PMC's in Iraq (and mentions previous uses). The article does not seem to be freely available anymore.
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