Implications of Privatizing U.S Marine Deployed Tactical Telecommunications
Abstract
The Marine Corps elected to procure telecommunications (telecom) manpower and equipment from private telecom contractors, but did so without a solid plan for contractor implementation and integration. There has been limited training, if any, to prepare Marine communications leaders for contractor management. As force capacity limitations have restricted Marine communications units to a manpower ceiling, contractors continue to arrive in theater and assume jobs traditionally held by Marine communicators. The Corps senior leaders are indicating a return to the Corps expeditionary roots, and its telecom manpower must be able to install, operate, and maintain the telecom networks in future conflicts potentially void of private telecom contractors. Furthermore, the Corps commanders and staffs must be prepared to utilize telecom networks less robust than the ones used over the last decade with a shift to expeditionary operations. The Corps has developed unrealistic telecom infrastructure expectations and habits of contractor dependency in both Iraq and Afghanistan putting the Corps future telecom readiness in jeopardy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA601175
Entities
People
- Kwabena K. Gyimah
Organizations
- Marine Corps University