[OldManMac]

Seeing as how we're having trouble finding money to finance the Iraq invasion, isn't it really interesting that there are over 20,000 "private contractors" serving in military capacities? I've been well aware that Bush wants to privatize everything in the country (there are areas where they're considering private police as well), but I honestly wasn't aware that we have this many private soldiers there. While many of our lower ranking service members with families get food stamps, it seems that our government has decided it can afford to contract these people, at $500 or more/day! One can only imagine what their supervisors and the executive level staff of these companies are getting! Then you add in the mix what appears to be a lack of control and doubt as to who's rules they obey, and some apparent indiscriminate killings, and it really makes for good PR for America, doesn't it?

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/16/550/

The U.S. military has brought charges against dozens of soldiers and Marines in Iraq, including 64 servicemen linked to murders. Not a single case has been brought against a security contractor, and confusion is widespread among contractors and the military over what laws, if any, apply to their conduct. The Pentagon estimates at least 20,000 security contractors work in Iraq.
Investigation initiated

Private contractors were granted immunity from the Iraqi legal process in 2004 by Paul Bremer, then head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the U.S. occupation government after the Saddam Hussein regime fell. More recently, the military and Congress have moved to establish guidelines for prosecuting contractors under U.S. law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but the issue remains unresolved.

Washbourne sported a shaved head, a goatee and a mosaic of tattoos and piercings on his muscular, 6-foot-3-inch frame. He led one of two teams on Triple Canopy’s “Milwaukee” project, a contract to protect executives of KBR Inc., a Halliburton subsidiary, on Iraq’s roads. He earned $600 a day commanding a small unit of guards armed with M-4 assault rifles and 9 mm pistols, the same caliber weapons used by U.S. troops.

The men referred to each other by their radio call signs. Washbourne was “JW,” his initials. Sheppard, a former U.S. Army Ranger, was “Shrek,” for his resemblance to the cartoon monster. Schmidt, a former Marine sniper, was “Happy,” an ironic reference to his surly demeanor. Naucukidi was “Isi,” an abbreviation of his first name.

Schmidt and Sheppard earned $500 a day. Naucukidi earned $70 a day for the same work.

[TETENAL]

Maybe you are the only American here who pays taxes already? Is the rest still living with mom and dad? Nobody seems to be interested.

Anyway, I'll try an argument why private mercenaries/security contractors (illegal combatants?) might be cheaper. Regular troops generate costs all the time, whether it is war time or not, while the security contractors or only paid for specific assigned tasks. For those tasks they are paid for higher, but in the long run it might come out cheaper overall.
Also, this could be the cost you pay for not having the draft.

[analogika]

Don't forget old-age pensions for retired personnel.

[Nicko]

Don't know if this applies to 'military' contractors but, other contractors usually get paid more per day and are definitely more expensive over the long term, but since they are not permanent employees they wouldn't have all the benefits as someone who is employed full time. ie. no paid holidays or sick leave, no pension, poor job security. Of course, if you're making upwards of $600 a day you're not really going to be too concerned about missing out on a crappy gov. pension now are ya?

$500/day is not uncommon for contractors working for US gov to get paid in other developing countries. Although, $500 a day is getting to be high end. Salaries are similar in Afghanistan, Sudan ect... In a place like Iraq they pay extra because its classified as a war-zone, so they get 'danger pay' and other incentives that are added onto the base daily rate. It works out to something like 40-50% added on top of the regular salary. So it's possible to get close to $1000/day in some circumstances. It's even sweeter if you're not American or declare yourself a 'non-resident' and can just bank your money off-shore to avoid taxes. As far as I know, the US gov pays the best in the world. War is a sick sick, and profitable game.

I know a few people who worked in Afghanistan a few years ago and even in Iraq. They stay for 12-24 months and have enough money to go back to the states and pay cash for a new house and put all their kids through college.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Nicko 

I know a few people who worked in Afghanistan a few years ago and even in Iraq. They stay for 12-24 months and have enough money to go back to the states and pay cash for a new house and put all their kids through college.

...provided they don't get blown up, shot, kidnapped, or beheaded along the way.

Which kind of puts the money in relation as risk compensation.