Feral Jundi

Sunday, November 16, 2008

News: Ugandans Could Lose Iraq Jobs

Filed under: Africa,News — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 1:00 AM

    Boy, wouldn’t this be something if the Ugandans had to go home because of this deal?  If that did happen, there would be a mad scramble to fill those jobs–a lot of jobs.  The other thing about this is Dreshak.  I have heard nothing but bad things about those guys, and how they have treated their recruits. –Head Jundi

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Ugandans could lose Iraq jobs

By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe

Saturday, 15th November, 2008 

 

OVER 5,000 Ugandans working as security guards in Iraq risk losing their

jobs following a business rivalry among recruiting agencies.

A Kampala businessman, Stanley Mutebi, has already secured a High Court

injunction against Dreshak International, one of the recruiting firms.

The injunction blocks Dreshak from carrying out any further recruitment and

also seeks to stop the firm from administering the Ugandans working in Iraq.

This would mean that the Ugandans would have to be returned home, according

to reliable source.

(more…)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

News: Congressional Study: PSC’s Are More Economical, Serviam

Filed under: News — Tags: , , , — Matt @ 1:54 PM

     I posted some of this stuff about the CBO awhile back, and I wanted to bring it up again because Serviam did an outstanding job of sifting through this thing.  To me, this is the other reality that the new administration will be facing.  The poor economy right now will certainly dictate our choices in defense procurement.

     We are cost effective, and in this ‘long war’, any and all ways to save money do so will weigh heavy on the minds of the decision makers.  I also find it disturbing that Congressman Henry Waxman and his committee was so faulty in their findings.  Perhaps they need be investigated?  I am all about accountability, but I also want that investigation to be unbiased and honest.(right….-LOL) –Head Jundi

 

Congressional Study: Private Security Contractors Are More Economical

From the September/October 2008 issue of Serviam.

By Serviam staff

A new study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds that private security contractors in Iraq are indeed a quality, cost-effective alternative to uniformed military personnel.

The CBO study, released in August, supports contentions by the private security contractor (PSC) industry that the taxpayer receives better value when the government contracts private security companies to protect diplomats and VIPs in Iraq.

The CBO is a nonpartisan office of Congress that studies budgetary matters. The report, titled “Contractors’ Support for U.S. Operations in Iraq,” was authored by CBO National Security Division analysts Daniel Frisk and R. Derek Trunkey.

Critics have long urged that uniformed military troops perform mundane security functions like static defense of embassies and other diplomatic outposts and personal security details to protect diplomats, aid workers, intelligence officers, and visiting lawmakers and staff from Washington.

(more…)

Friday, November 7, 2008

News: Contractors and Obama, By David Isenberg

Filed under: News — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 10:07 PM

   Well here is that analysis I was talking about.  Check out what David had to say about Obama and contractors.  And as a disclaimer, I did not coordinate this with the guy, so I think it is pretty funny that he came out with this after I mentioned it a couple posts back. I am glad though that someone else besides me, is looking into the industry’s future under Obama. 

   So what is new?  Well, it sounds like Obama doesn’t have an issue with us.  He just wants more accountability, and I actually like that.  I think our industry does need more oversight. And I am not saying that we should be micromanaged to death by the government.  I am just saying give us some direction and some guidance is all.  Spell out exactly the terms, and get some of the ‘gray areas’ out of the industry that tend to give pause to those that have been critical.  The more the government can legitimize and give guidance to our industry, the happier the client(which is the government) will be.  

    I also like the fact that Obama wants to increase funding to DoS.  Today’s wars are not just a military battle.  It also requires a massive diplomatic effort.  And if the military is busy with other stuff, then security for DoS will have to come from contractors. I am sure the WPPS companies out there are pleased with that.

   On the down side, I was not aware of the provisions in the 2009 Defense Authorization Act.  The one I clued in on, was section 832.  It is a call for the military to do the security jobs that contractors have been fulfilling. Or if contractors are needed, that the decision to use us will be based on the discretion of the ‘relevant combatant command’. 

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Industry Talk: PSC Urges Contractor Protections in Iraq SOFA

Filed under: Industry Talk,Iraq — Tags: , , , , — Matt @ 12:08 PM

     Wow, I had no idea the Professional Services Council would get involved with the process, but that is cool.  I didn’t even know they existed, and at least someone cares about us.  Although, seeing how this was sent almost a month ago, the SOFA(Status of Forces Agreement) writers and negotiators have been notified and I really haven’t seen a focus on these issues.  When the final product comes out and the agreement has been signed, then we will see if Condoleezza Rice was really listening.

   Also with the letter, they mentioned how this SOFA could impact a Afghanistan SOFA in the future.  That if you do not protect civilian contractors with a sound agreement in Iraq, that Afghanistan might push for the same type of agreement in that war zone.  It is about precedent and it is about doing the right thing, and that the DoD and DoS both have an opportunity to take a stand about how important we are in the war effort.  Especially as we draw down in Iraq, and build up in such places as Afghanistan and Africa. 

    The other thing that is interesting about the PSC, is that they are another resource you can use to bring up issues in the industry that need attention.  –Head Jundi

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PS Council Logo

 

PSC Urges Contractor Protections in Iraq SOFA

In a letter sent to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on October 8, PSC outlined its concerns regarding the development of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Iraq that may exclude basic protections for contractor personnel supporting the military and reconstruction efforts in the country. Of particular concern is the fact that a fledgling Iraqi legal system and the general in-country environment may not provide adequate due process procedures for detained contractor personnel.

(more…)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Video: History Channel: Shadow Force

Filed under: Video — Tags: , , — Matt @ 9:53 AM

   Thanks to Matt for sending me this information.  I had no clue the History Channel was doing a series like this.  The one name that popped up for me in the cast, is Cobus.  That dude has been around, and you will find him being mentioned quite a bit in magazines and books. –Head Jundi

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Shadow Force

Series Premiere Friday, November 7 at 10pm/9c

About the Show

Shadow Force showcases the history of unconventional military operations through the eyes of an elite team operating in the modern day and offers one of the first real insights into the high-stakes world of private military operations. The Special Forces soldiers do what governments and aid agencies cannot—from combating piracy in Liberia, to stopping illegal forestation and saving rare mountain gorillas in the Congo, to setting up an alert system to help stop tribal wars in Kenya, to tracking illegal ivory into the black market.

(more…)

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