[xzins]

I don't think they're any more a mercenary than is a Mexican security guard watching a K-Mart in Kansas.

A contract was let for a specific security service and this company was able to provide the specifications of the contract.

The Hessians in the Revolutionary War were mercenaries. A hired group of foreign fighters.

[endthematrix]

Thanks for the clarification. There are many white papers on the DoD contracting out services. To some, the issue is cost and efficiency benefits. The flip side is corruption and oversight and the illusion created of conventional military numbers and hiding support related deaths.

There is little doubt some Rats what to frame the debate into profiteering and campaign contributions. IMO, the red tape within the armed services has caused the farming out of support services that would be better served under the respecting commands. If you join the Army you maybe a cook or driver. The pay should be crap and you don't necessarily need to get the same training an infantryman. The cost should be cheaper than private corps, then against the US would be funding all the health care and other welfare. Also, on a national sovereignty rant, why should the US military be beholden to powerful (foreign)corporations that could influence national security issues?

[A. Pole]

The Hessians in the Revolutionary War were mercenaries. A hired group of foreign fighters.

You can have domestic mercenaries as well as foreign.