Originally Posted by 2/51

Can't think of a worse plan than to put civilians incharge of security in a volitile environment.

Apart from pure military bases, most security in volatile areas is done by civilians. Best case is 100% expats (UK, US, SA, NZ etc) or what are referred to by PSCs as third country nationals (Ghurka, Fijian). Middle option is Expat/TCN supervision with local nations providing the manpower. Worst case is 100% local national, and rarely used.

If they are on a USDoD contract they are going to be treated as US citizens for treatment/extraction/assistance.

Originally Posted by 2/51

Its not who they are, its more to do with the ability for the US government to turn there backs on them when the enevitable "pear shaped" plan goes wrong.

Will the US be under any obligation to extract civilian contractors if the ballon goes up?

It's just Camp Leatherneck to be fair.

Originally Posted by Balls_out

It's just Camp Leatherneck to be fair.

There are other places in afghan with civvy security.

Originally Posted by singha61

U.S. commanders want civilian contractors to provide military security at the Marine Corps’ largest base in Afghanistan as a planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from the war-torn country expands.

The contracted security personnel will guard Camp Leatherneck, the sprawling, 1,500-acre-plus installation that serves as the Corps’ main hub of operations in Helmand province and home to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), commanded by Maj. Gen. John Toolan. To date, coalition forces have handled security at Leatherneck, but commanders have discussed using contractors for months in anticipation of a smaller Marine footprint, said Lt. Col. Riccoh Player, a Marine spokesman at Leatherneck.

“As we prepare for fewer Marine boots on the ground, the requirement to maintain a certain level of security aboard Camp Leatherneck must be maintained,” Player said. “That’s where contractor support will provide Camp Leatherneck security where Marines have in the past.”

U.S. Army Contracting Command announced a competition for the job in November. At least 166 civilian guards will be needed at all times, meaning the company that wins the contract will almost certainly need more to account for vacations and other leave time. Companies who seek the job must hire guards who are citizens of the U.S. or some of its closest allies: the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Base security at Leatherneck has been performed primarily by a reserve infantry battalion, currently 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, out of Fort Devens, Mass. However, as part of the drawdown, the Corps already has canceled the deployment of a replacement unit, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. Marines with 1/24 would have replaced 1/25 in theater next year.

The civilian guards posting security must have a secret security clearance issued by either the U.S. or the International Security Assistance Force headed by Marine Gen. John Allen, according to documents released in the competition.

Personnel will be expected to wear body armor, man security towers and be familiar with the M16A4 rifle, M4 carbine and M9 pistol, plus crew-served weapons such as the M240B heavy machine gun and M2 .50-caliber machine gun. A typical workweek will last up to 72 hours, military documents said.

Civilians to guard Marine base in Afghanistan - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Whats wrong with handing over to the Afghans?

Originally Posted by 17THSEPTEMBER1944

Whats wrong with handing over to the Afghans?

I don't think they can be trusted.

I wouldn't sleep easy with a large number of tooled up Afghans watching my back.

Originally Posted by 17THSEPTEMBER1944

Whats wrong with handing over to the Afghans?

They're useless, lazy idle backstabbing cunts.

I'll apply as soon as I've practised my "Gooks in the wire!!!!" scream

Originally Posted by Woofer829

I don't think they can be trusted.

I wouldn't sleep easy with a large number of tooled up Afghans watching my back.

We are pulling out so they're going to get it soon anyway.

Last time I went round leatheneck most of the sangers were manned by dummies.

If any one is interested in stagging on there, the salary is $96,000 PA, and the rotation is 180 days on, 30 days off. The positions are opened to US, UK, EU, Canadian, New Zealand, and Australian citizens. You must have recent previous military or force protection experience. There is a shed load of other criteria as well, such as weapon quals etc.

Originally Posted by waffen

You must have recent previous military or force protection experience.

See, the RAF Regiment does come in handy sometimes!

For the equivalent of £60k a year I think I would stay at home!