Blood and Blackwaters: A Call to Arms for the Profession of Arms

Abstract

One out of every five combatants carrying a machine gun in Iraq is not a soldier, but an employee. Many, particular those in military service, may consider the men and women working for private military firms to be performing a radically different function than their military counterparts, but, 'Iraqi citizens do not distinguish between employees of Blackwater and the U.S. military. All they see is Americans with guns.' In this article, I will investigate the normative and economic implications of using these private security personnel in contingency operations such as the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In order to accomplish this task, I will investigate the frequently mentioned economic justifications in favor of outsourcing as well as the less frequently investigated normative considerations against particular acts of outsourcing. This analysis will be used to defend a normative principle that can help determine if a particular act of outsourcing is morally problematic. Finally, I will argue that the continued use of mercenaries harms the professional soldiers fighting along side them by undermining the profession of arms. The continued use of private military contractors will turn all those who fight, even professional soldiers, into mercenaries.

Military Ethics and Moral Blame across Agency Lines

“…13. For a discussion of the impact of the employment of private security contractors in war on professional military ethics, see Hedahl (2009). 14.…”

The Unlawful Society

“…Blackwater, however, held many contracts with the US State Department to provide personnel security services to embassy staff in Iraq, for example, which saw armed private guards venturing out into Baghdad's urban combat zones but without the restraining influence of military law, military codes of conduct and, by virtue of negotiated legal immunity, Iraqi law also (IISS, 2007, pp. 1-2;Hedahl, 2009). As David Kennedy explains, military law, if it is to be effective, must be woven into the routines and thoughts of service personnel (Kennedy, 2004, pp.…”

Following professional codes of practice and military orders in austere military environments: a controversial debate on ethical challenges

“…Military doctors and nurses would not be able to address the healthcare needs of the sick and wounded with the aim of restoring them, where possible, to optimum health if following an MroE, for example, prevents them from giving patient care to a local national or a child 18. In such circumstances, the integrity of the medical or nursing professional would be compromised.…”

“…Each doctor and nurse is professionally accountable for their acts and omissions to their respective professional body 32 33. In addition, giving a broad meaning to the word ‘ combatant ’ raises concerns, as it could compromise the integrity of the medical or nursing professional 18. This is because the existence and the role of the military doctor and nurse is to address the healthcare needs of the sick and wounded with the aim of restoring them where possible to health.…”