Blues to Civvies

Hiring contractors to perform Air Force operations is morphing the military profession. Never before have so many contractors been hired to support or perform operations both in theater and on CONUS bases. This research will assess today's unprecedented employment of defense contractors in the Department of Defense and the Air Force, including real-world examples from operations in Iraq and at the 45th Space Wing. Similarities will be drawn with NASA's Space Shuttle Program and its outsourcing issues. The original idea of outsourcing support functions has been surpassed, as contractors are now employed as pilot instructors, intelligence officers, prison interrogators, unmanned aerial vehicle operators, landmine clearers, military academy instructors, and aircraft maintainers. This research was conducted through a thorough article and book review, conference attendance on privatized security, in-depth budget reviews, and personal interviews with personnel in the D.C. area, the Pentagon, and the 45th Space Wing. The findings support the supposition that contractors are more prevalent than senior leadership has ever imagined, including in operations both in theater and CONUS and their presence brings new issues to the military. Congressional influence by major contractors, Air Force and contractor funding and costs, contractor performance, and contract oversight must be understood and mitigated by Air Force leadership.