A Critical Analysis of the Coordination, Command and Control of Contractors in Iraq

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to examine the issues concerning the command and control of civilian contractors in a combat environment. Outsourcing of non-military specific job functions to civilian contractors and the increased reliance on Private Security Companies (PSCs) to protect those contractors has produced unexpected complications when examined in the context of an extended wartime scenario. The objectives of this project are to identify the weaknesses of current command and control (C2) doctrine as it applies to civilian contractors, identify significant issues regarding tracking and movement control of contractors, and identify issues faced by tactical commanders that are created by civilian contractors operating in their battlespace. The product of this project will be a potential course of action that the Department of Defense can pursue to correct deficiencies in the command and control of contractors and to mitigate the risks created by contractors operating independently on the battlefield. Chapter I provides background information and identifies research questions, relevant assumptions, and limitations. Chapter II presents a historical perspective of the decision to outsource service functions, the C2 structure that is currently used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and C2 problems that have occurred with contractors on the battlefield. Chapter III provides an identification and analysis of problems uncovered during the course of this research. Chapter IV presents recommendations and solutions to five problem areas identified in Chapter III. Appendixes include a civilian contractor questionnaire, a tactical commander questionnaire, and a contingency contractor questionnaire; and draft DFARS clauses that address the requirements for contractor personnel to register with the reconstruction operations center (ROC) and to require private security companies to register with the ROC.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA460387

Entities

People

  • Joseph J. Butkus
  • Matthew F. Howes

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Employment
  • Management Personnel
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • Mobile Phones
  • National Governments
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Private Military Companies
  • Public Policy
  • United States Government
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Business Analytics
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control