How many Private Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan?

[Bennyboy]

Will they just do the old bait and switch and tag out soldiers for private contractors?

[provis99]

1. If the Iraqis want to kill mercenaries, I have no problem.

But I don't like that we're paying them.

[Bennyboy]

2. Yeah the bookkeeping

is what I am talking aobut. Are we exchanging poorly paid soldier for highly paid mercenaries? And does that make sense?

[Marie Marie]

4. It does for the defense contractors. Blackwater now: XE is raking in the big bucks.

So, the wars continue. One of the few profitable areas of our economy.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Here's one figure

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125089638739950599.html

2009 article,

"The number of military contractors in Afghanistan rose to almost 74,000 by June 30, far outnumbering the roughly 58,000 U.S. soldiers on the ground at that point. As the military force in Afghanistan grows further, to a planned 68,000 by the end of the year, the Defense Department expects the ranks of contractors to increase more."

The more you look, the higher the number goes....

[classysassy]

5. The war profiteers( contractors)

make more money than the soldiers who protect their greedy asses.Disgraceful.