ello Dr. Aguiar and Class,
Private Military Companies (PMCs) and Private Security Companies (PSCs) have existed and operated for many generations in one form of fashion or the other. It was not until the end of the Cold War that these groups really started to emerge and make their mark. Many countries that had aligned with either the United States or the Soviet Union began to experience an increase in armed conflicts from both internal and external sources that the United States and Soviet Union would have previously kept under control and prevented from spreading. (Soares & Price, 2015) Here in the United States PSCs and PMCs supported all the major US conflicts of the late 20th century, including in Vietnam, the Balkans, and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. But in these cases, they mainly provided logistical and base support. It wasn’t until after 9/11 they that these organizations started to emerge as a hybridized force where their demonstrated strengths, speed and flexibility complemented the military in modern warfare.
Speaking to numerous people who are both employed by PMC’s and PSC’s the pro and cons are pretty aligned with each other. These organizations are mostly comprised of individuals who either have a background in Law Enforcement or the Military which give them the experience of conducting operations of a clandestine nature. Secondly, they are an all-volunteer force and are not contractually obligated to fulfill a long term commitment unlike the military. There is also a large disparity in the monetary compensation these individuals receive versus their active duty or reserve military counterparts. Most PMC’s and PSC’s fulfill a support function for the military so this precludes them from being on the frontlines, in most instances. They conduct support functions such as perimeter security for a forward operating base, convoy operations to assist in resupply operations and escorting of dignitary personnel across danger zones.
Both PMC’s and PSC’s are business organizations with the sole focus on protecting their own interests while trying to make as much money as possible which could be viewed negatively by some policymakers and tax paying citizens who view them as only looking out for their own self-preservation as opposed to what’s in the best interests of the country. A second negative aspect of these organizations includes reduced accountability and lack of regulation which in turn may lead to individuals who committed serious human rights and criminal abuses such as the Blackwater incident in 2007 where 17 Iraq Civilians were killed and another 20 were injured.
Personally I believe PMCs and PSCs should not entrusted be with critical military and governmental functions for the simple fact that are not politically and morally invested and the only real loss to either of these entities would be money.(Straub, 2013) They may be able to be self-sustaining in small scale operations but the military is far more capable and equipped to deal with much larger scale operations over a longer period of time due to their ability to constantly rotate units and military personnel in and out hostile territories.
-Luis
Soares, S., & Price, D. (2015). REGULATING PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES (PSCs) AND PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANIES (PMCs), 26(3), 472–489. https://doi.org/10.22146/jmh.16035
Staub, G (2013). OUTSOURCING HUMAN SECURITY: THE PROS AND CONS OF PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES IN PEACEKEEPING. Retrieved from: https://calhoun.nps.edu/handle/10945/32906
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