Targetable Logistics: Contractors in Zones of Conflict - Backbone or Underbelly?

Abstract

This paper focuses on the growing military dependency on contractors for support. It will examine the Department of Defense (DOD) approach to outsourcing as an option to fill voids in logistics force structure. I will evaluate DOD's policy regarding military employment of civilian contractors within zones of conflict. I will focus on the rift growing between current contracting policy and reality in Iraq identifying trends pointing to unseen vulnerability with potential to promote failure if policy is not reformed. I will also analyze how DOD policy addresses vulnerabilities associated with contractors performing essential military support functions compare it to practice in Iraq and propose categories of vulnerability and associated screening criteria for a consideration in a future contracting risk assessment model that DOD should develop.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 18, 2005
Accession Number
ADA432653

Entities

People

  • Steven T. Mitchell

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Civil War
  • Congress
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Electronic Mail
  • Employment
  • Law
  • Logistics
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Economics
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.