Now if Walter was reading Feral Jundi, he would have picked up on this story earlier and really impressed his editor. I posted this story back on the 19th of last month. Walter could have also included the other FOB’s on that list of guard contracts. Either way, it is always cool to see some focus on this stuff from the MSM.
The one to watch with this, is the expat contracts that will come down the pipe to manage these LN guard forces. And with that point, I would also like to remind folks how important it will be to really watch these guys and work with your guard force. I also want to emphasize with the companies how important it will be to back up your guard force commanders and do some proper vetting to insure you have quality folks in charge of that stuff. Trust but verify, and apply Kaizen to every aspect of the contract, and the companies will be happy. The customer will be happy too, but you don’t get it for free. You have to work hard to get customer satisfaction, and actually care what is going on with the contract. –Matt
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Contractor hirings in Afghanistan to emphasize locals
At least half of guards working at bases now required to be Afghans
By Walter PincusWashington Post Staff WriterMonday, December 7, 2009
New contract solicitations by the U.S. military for private guards at forward operating bases in Afghanistan require that at least half of those hired be Afghans who come from nearby towns or villages.
“The contractor shall hire a minimum of 50% of its guard force from within a 50 kilometer [30-mile] radius of the location requiring security,” reads a solicitation that the Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan posted Nov. 30 at FBODaily.com.