Many large and medium U.S. bases in Iraq have employed private security
guards. The report said most of the contractors use non-U.S. nationals as
security personnel.
"They are usually hired through labor brokers in countries such as
Uganda and Peru," the report said. "Of all the PSCs [private security
contractors] the commission interviewed, only one said they have in-country
quality assurance employees that supervise the brokers to ensure proper
vetting and evaluation of TCN performance."
The report said the poorly-trained security guards were endangering U.S.
forces. The commission urged the Defense Department to review its use of
private security contractors.
U.S. commanders have supported the use of private guards to free up
soldiers for other missions. At one major U.S. base, Camp Taji, the Pentagon
approved the assignment of more than 900 private security personnel to
release 400 U.S. soldiers for combat duties.
"To be effective, PSCs guarding sensitive installations must have a
clear understanding of when and to what extent they may use their weapons,"
the report said. "Base commanders explained to the commission that the rules
for using weapons were different for military and PSC personnel, and that
the differences could compromise the safety of the installations."
