One of the main reasons for contractors is to ensure continuity, even as people come and go it is up to the contracted firm to ensure the position is filled. Many positions filled by contractors are highly specialized. It is far easier and more cost effective for the Government to contract for these services than to develop these skills internally. I do hear some disparaging remarks from government employees about contractors and there is no doubt with the abuses taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan there needs to be some changes.

When I first entered the military back in the Vietnam era we didn’t have a lot of contractors or civilian government employees. GIs cut the grass, emptied the trash, cleaned the latrines and floors, and did all the clerical work. Then we started hiring civilians so that military personnel could concentrate on war fighting skills and the basic maintenance and administrative tasks could be managed by folks who didn’t move every couple of years. As more and more specialized skills were required by the government, some for only a short period of time, contractors were hired. Many of these are former military personnel who developed their skills while in the service.

Anyone who would like to return to the days of old prepare for two things: a draft, in order to fill all the required military positions and a whole lot less civilians on military bases. Those government employees who remain get ready to cut some grass, shovel some snow and take out your own trash, oh yeah, and stand guard duty. As for the security issue, contractors must have the same kind of security background checks as everyone else. Most of us have had security clearances in the past so that is not a problem. I know most of this does not address the issue of contractors in the weather service but some of the same factors apply to all government contractors. These folks are doing jobs that require specialized skills or jobs that others do not have the time or the desire to do.

Posted by Tim Heinse on November 2, 2007 - 12:27 PM

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