Line Increasingly Blurred Between Soldiers and Civilian Contractors

[lazarus]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22547-2004May12.html

While on missions in Iraq last year, 35-year-old Todd Drobnick was attacked by small-arms fire, grenades and makeshift bombs. Yet he continued to go out day after day, until he died in a vehicle crash on his way from one U.S. military base to another. For his loyalty and dedication, he was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Thousands of Americans in Iraq have received such honors, but Drobnick's case was unusual: He wasn't a soldier. He was a private contractor working with a translation company.

"He died in the service of his country and the gratitude of his comrades is deep and lasting," U.S. Army Col. Gary L. Parrish, assistant chief of staff of intelligence, wrote in a letter to Drobnick's family after his death.

Several other contractors have received battlefield commendations in Iraq, too, but the military says it was a mistake. Only active-duty soldiers are eligible for the awards and those received by civilians are being rescinded.

At least they've supposedly been rescinded. But let's let all our proud Republican veterans know that civilians are being given Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, in addition to better pay and the freedom to leave whenever they want.

[Spazito]

1. I wonder how the troops feel about this...

civilians making 100 thousand a year getting the same honors they do? This is disgraceful, imo. I can't see how it was a "mistake", no way.

[gratuitous]

2. Better pay, freedom to leave, AND military honors

Heck, why don't we have a Soldier o' Fortune Bill so that these "contractors" can get free college and disability benefits and access to VA hospitals and pensions and civil service points, too? I'm sure Zell Miller would be happy to sponsor it.

Any military folk (who might actually know what they're talking about as opposed to pacifist moi) want to weigh in on this disgusting, disloyal, dishonorable and disrespectful practice?

[Sgt. Peppers]

3. I just had to send my republican NG member this.

He is in the National Guard and has no money and no real job, but will tell you that 90% on the military is republican and loves Bush. Sounds like suicide to me!

[Bandit]

4. That's the way Republicans support the troops ~ They outsource them

Pay the companies three thousand dollars a day per man while the men only get one thousand a day but our soldiers get less than a hundred a day. I sure hope Republicans never decide to support me.