Hired Guns are Wild Cards in Iraq War

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/04/16/550/

Hired Guns are Wild Cards in Iraq War
by Steve Fainaru

BAGHDAD - On the afternoon of July 8, 2006, four private security guards rolled out of Baghdad’s Green Zone in an armored Chevrolet Suburban. The team leader, Jacob Washbourne, rode in the front passenger seat. He seemed in a good mood. His vacation started the next day.”I want to kill somebody today,” Washbourne said, according to the three other men in the vehicle, who recalled it as an offhand remark. Before the day was over, however, the guards had been involved in three shooting incidents. In one, Washbourne allegedly fired into the windshield of a taxi for amusement, according to the three other guards.

Washbourne, a 29-year-old former Marine, denied the allegations. “They’re all unfounded, unbased, and they simply did not happen,” he said during an interview near his home in Broken Arrow, Okla.

The full story of what happened on Baghdad’s airport road that day might never be known. But a Washington Post investigation of the incidents provides a rare look inside the world of private security contractors, the hired guns who fight a parallel and largely hidden war in Iraq.

The U.S. military has brought charges against dozens of soldiers and Marines in Iraq, including 64 servicemen linked to murders. Not a single case has been brought against a security contractor, and confusion is widespread among contractors and the military over what laws, if any, apply to their conduct. The Pentagon estimates at least 20,000 security contractors work in Iraq.
Investigation initiated

Private contractors were granted immunity from the Iraqi legal process in 2004 by Paul Bremer, then head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, the U.S. occupation government after the Saddam Hussein regime fell. More recently, the military and Congress have moved to establish guidelines for prosecuting contractors under U.S. law or the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but the issue remains unresolved.

The only known inquiry into the July 8 incidents was conducted by Triple Canopy, a 3-year-old company founded by retired Special Forces officers and based in Herndon, Va. Triple Canopy employed the four guards.

more...

[paparush]

1. The Private Army has allowed Bush to avoid THE DRAFT

Only by spending Billions on its own Private Army, and recycling our troops, has Bush and the Neocons avoided the poison pill that is THE DRAFT.

THE DRAFT - The one thing that would instantly galvanize this country against Bush and his Corporate Fascist Backers.

Bush, Dodging The Draft Again

[Demeter]

2. As Long as Blackwater Stays Over There--So We Don't Have to Fight Them Here

the Republic will still stand.

[MindPilot]

3. That's fer damn sure -- check this job posting at Monster

The Iraq Department of Border Enforcement is the security organization within the Government of Iraq responsible for controlling and regulating the flow of goods and people from and into Iraq at all land and sea borders and other points of entry. Border security advisors assist the Government of Iraq to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities of DBE personnel by providing technical assistance, advice, mentoring, and training to DBE staff at all levels so that the Organization is able to achieve its mission.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Assisting Government of Iraq in developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of the Iraq Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) personnel.

Observing and assessing the competency of Iraqi DBE personnel as they perform assigned duties and responsibilities.

Employing acquired technical knowledge of customs, immigration, or border security operating concepts, techniques, and principles to prepare and employ materials and techniques used to provide technical assistance, training, mentoring, and advice to personnel employed by the DBE.

Effectively communicating technical concepts, techniques, and principles to Iraqi DBE personnel through a language assistant.

Coordinating assigned duties with other border security advisors and members of the military unit to which assigned.

Performing assigned duties and responsibilities under hazardous conditions, including risks to personal safety from military combat, and climatic and environmental conditions.

Learning and applying rules of engagement for the use of force.

Conforming to policies and practices of military units to which assigned.

Identifying insurgent threats from a distance of 200 yards without glasses and ability to walk and run to evade and escape insurgent attacks.

Using a semi-automatic rifle and handgun for self-defense and the defense of others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. At least four (4+) years of work experience as a U.S. Border Patrol Officer, as an officer within the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (and its predecessor agencies), or as an actively serving or recently separated state law enforcement professional with at least five years in a position of sworn law enforcement in a full service law enforcement agency; who have at least 2 years with principal responsibilities serving or assisting as either a federal, state or U.N. official directly responsible for immigration, customs, or border security.

2. Minimum GS-11 level or its equivalent, including service as a field training officer.

3. Extensive knowledge/experience in any 4 of the following:

a. Immigration laws, regs and operating procedures;

b. Customs laws, regs and operating procedures;

c. Border Security laws, regs and operating procedures;

d. Examination and identification of fraudulent documents;

e. Contemporary smuggling techniques & trends;

f. Firearms;

g. Unarmed self-defense techniques;

h. Customs, immigration or borders security training curriculum development;

i. Operational methods of a port of entry.

5. Ability to effectively communicate, advise and train others in all aspects of border integrity through a language assistant.

6. Excellent physical condition.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Compensation package is $134,114.00 for a one-year contract. Salary is paid every four (4) weeks, and no federal or social security taxes are withheld. Salary is available for foreign income tax exemption as well. Vacation is accrued at 4% of the hours worked, or approximately two (2) weeks over the course of the assignment. DynCorp International FZ provides all uniforms, equipment, logistical support, administrative support, and lodging. Local transportation in the country is available, as well as transportation to the country and a return flight upon completion of the one-year contract.

DynCorp International offers a comprehensive insurance benefit plan for full-time active employees working overseas. It comprises of two plans: DI Care Group Medical (includes a dependent coverage option) and DI Care Personal Accident Plan. The DI Care Group Medical insurance also provides emergency medical evacuation service. Insurance coverage is provided by Cigna International Expatriate Benefits (CIEB). The DI Care Personal Accident Insurance provides you or your beneficiary with a monetary benefit in the event of an accidental death or disablement. As an eligible employee, your accidental death and disablement insurance coverage begins on your first day of work. Maximum annual benefit is $250,000. DIFZ pays the full cost of this coverage. Additionally, DIFZ will reimburse each employed applicant for expenses incurred in obtaining medical examinations (upon approval), the cost to expedite your passport (not the basic passport cost), and postage/Fed-Ex delivery charges. Receipts must be provided.

Apply at: www.policemission.com ∙ 888-466-5417
DIFZ CIVPOL 8500 Freeport Parkway Suite 275, Irving TX 75063

http://jobview.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=56352628&JobTitle=International+Border+Police+Advisor&q=dyncorp&cy=us&vw=b&AVSDM=2007-04-14+14%3a14%3a00

[OneBlueSky]

4. BushCo says we have to fight the terrorists "over there" so we won't have to "over here" . . .

what happens when the war ends and all these armed mercenaries return to the States? . . . they're gonna need something to do -- to keep themselves employed and their companies profitable . . .

scary thought, this . . .