Is Military Outsourcing Out of Control?
Abstract
Since the early 1990s contracting for military support functions have been the subject of increased debate. Firms in this industry generally provide both combat and support functions to sovereign governments such as the United States. Although it may be a cliche' to say that outsourcing has become a central part of the way the Department of Defense (DOD) does business it is a fact. In theory outsourcing as it's commonly known allows military personnel to focus on essential competencies-what they do best-to successfully accomplish the mission. There is a widely held belief that private commercial contractors are cheaper provide greater flexibility and allow the military to focus on its core missions. But in spite of the bold claims and potential benefits there are unintended consequences. This raises questions about the longer-term impact on the department's planning strategy and decision-making. The purpose of this paper is to examine the utility of outsourcing within DOD and in so doing use published accounts and relevant research data to provide a comprehensive historical perspective and analyze adverse impacts on: the military profession accountability and contingency plans. Finally, I offer recommendations to counter some of the challenges associated with outsourcing and summarize my essential thoughts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449219
Entities
People
- Larry Lock
Organizations
- United States Army War College