How does private contracting change the nature of war?

Congress has appropriated over $387 billion dollars for the war in Iraq. By one estimate forty cents of every one of those dollars has gone to military contractors.

That's a lot of cash.

It's a formidable force changing the way war is fought. How does increased reliance on contractors change the situation on and around the war front? What are some of the less well known effects of increased "privatization" of war?

Share your insights and experience here.

The government argues that contractors can deliver services more efficiently and effectively because they're not bound by military regulations, and can be more flexible.

But the massive amounts of money spent on contracting can have occasionally strange and unintended consequences. Soldiers have to work side-by-side with contractors who make much more sometimes doing the same tasks, without having to face nearly the level of risk that soldiers do.

How is contracting money parceled out? Who oversees the contracts, and how do they do it?

If you're familiar with military contracting, are a solider who's worked with contractors, or know someone with insights into this topic then please share what you know with American Public Media.

Your response will help us with reporting about military contracting.

And please pass this note along to anyone else you know who might have insight into this topic.

Regards,
Brendan Newnam
Analyst, Public Insight Network
Marketplace|Marketplace Money|Weekend America
American Public Media
bnewnam@americanpublicmedia.org