PMCs should be policing themselves
Mar 8, 2009 Commentary, Jake's Posts
By Jake Allen
Last week Eeben Barlow had a post in his blog titled Considering the use of a PMC or PSC. As usual Eeben’s posts are very thought provoking and this one was no different. I think he really captured the frustration many of us feel when it comes to fly-by-night PMCs or those attempting to pass themselves off as having expertise when in reality they do not possess it. Matt Loe from Feral Jundi also provided some instructive comments to Eeben’s post. Their exchange to me thinking…
There is a saying in the military that we ‘police ourselves’ The phrase and the sentiment as wide ranging application. As an officer if I ever saw something askew with newly minted Corporal I could simply find a more senior Corporal standing nearby and ask him to ‘police his own’. I could walk away knowing that the young NCO took great pride in preserving good military order and discipline. If it was in his power to
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Considering the use of a PMC or PSC
Mar 8, 2009 Eeben Barlow, Frequent Contributors
By Eeben Barlow
I have always advocated the use of a Private Military Company (PMC) or a Private Security Company (PSC) above that of the UN or a foreign armed force’s training teams. The recent revelations of UN corruption and sexual abuse towards those they have undertaken to protect has simply strengthened my thoughts on the matter.
My belief is that the professional PMC/PSC comes with no political strings attached, views its mission as a matter of honour, is subject to the laws of the contracting country and is contracted to achieve an agreed aim within a defined time.
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