Company Loses Security Contract for Kabul Embassy.

[elleng]

The State Department is cutting ties with the security contractor protecting the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan following an investigation of allegations that guards engaged in lewd behavior and sexual misconduct at their living quarters.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner says the arrangement with ArmorGroup North America expires next summer and will not be renewed. Work will begin immediately on finding another company to guard the embassy in Kabul, one of the country's most important diplomatic outposts.

Toner also said ArmorGroup's history of failing to meet the terms of the contract was also a factor in the decision.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/08/us/politics/AP-US-Afghanistan-Embassy-Security.html

[bluedigger]

1. Isn't that the Marines job ?

[Hekate]

2. It used to be. Somewhere along the line the military was "privatized" and "streamlined"...

... so we've now got civilians doing a whole host of jobs the military used to do for themselves, like setting up camps and cooking the food. It was done in the name of "freeing up" the combat troops to --you know-- do combat.

But it also instantly took away all accountability for job performance and cost containment, with the spectacular results we have witnessed throughout the war in Iraq: everything from rapes that can't even be charged to showers that electrocute troops who try to use them to contaminated food and water.

Hekate

[C_Lawyer09]

3. Both the Marine Corps and the Army are stretched to thin

The Embassy Guard Program, or MSG, which is taught at Quantico Virginia, can provide Security Guards to handle internal security, and/or defense, but not nearly enough external security for an embassy or consulate within a war zone. Especially since the 30k plus up has been announced. Plus, and sadly, when you factor in a Marine SGT/SSG pay and benefits, it's cheaper to go the privatization route. From my own recent experience with the privatization of the military, I only wish many of the civilians were dedicated to their job. Which is not to say that many aren't stellar performers, but there are some real lemons, and their job security is pretty damn good, once the contract has been granted. That said, most of my experience with contracted civilians is within administrative support roles though.

[bluedigger]

4. Hard to believe

a contractor will work cheaper than an enlisted person. If we are going to outsource embassy security we should at least require they hire US nationals, I think. Which, IIRC, these were not.

[C_Lawyer09]

5. Factor in the hostile fire pay, danger pay, per diem

medical benefits, bah, bas, etc. and it sure as hell shouldnt be hard to believe, especially when Soldiers and Marines have no job description, so could be doing many and various other things as need dictates. This is what ballooned the privatization.