The use of contracting support in the military to supplement dwindling capabilities has increased significantly since the end of the Vietnam War and the All-Volunteer Force's birth. While critics have faulted the trend as an unhealthy over-reliance on critical services, contract support operations contribute to the army’s success. These operations offer the military some flexibility and cut down long-term costs, thus enhancing deployment and combat capabilities.
Flexibility
The US military has mission-specific force cap restrictions that sometimes hinder the commander from achieving mission objectives. Therefore, contracting support operations enhance the military’s flexibility and mitigate force structure constraints (Department of the Army, 2019). Apart from flexibility, contract support operations also reduce long-term military costs.
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Economic Feasibility
The growing financial constraints forced the US military to move away from self-sufficiency and embrace contract support. The US army's technological transformation following the Cold War demanded qualified technicians to maintain and repair high-tech systems. Developing such capabilities within the military is not economically feasible (Kidwell, 2011). Therefore, contract support operations eliminate the associated long-term costs, contributing to the success of the army.
Due to the significant role of contract support operations to the military's success, its unavailability would lead to a critical shortfall of personnel and resident military capabilities. Consequently, it would force the US to dedicate more resources to the military at the detriment of other vital sectors. Moreover, the unavailability of contract support operations would adversely impact the US’s commitment to global contingency operations.
SGM Role in Joint Operations
As an SGM, my role is to comply with all contract support operations-related regulations, directives, instructions, plans, and orders. I must also participate in joint planning activities that range from ensuring adequate staff training and organization to developing contingency plans to provide essential contract services. Lastly, I must also comply with the contractor management plan policies and processes (Department of the Army, 2019). Complying with these regulations ensures successful joint operations.
Conclusion
Contracting support operations enhance the military’s flexibility and reduce long-term military costs. Contracting military operations support the achievement of objectives since it enhances flexibility. Additionally, it also ensures that the development of technological capabilities is economically feasible. The absence of contracting support operations would lead to a critical shortfall of personnel and resident capabilities.
References
Department of the Army. (2019). Operational contract support (JP 4-10). Retrieved from https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp4_10.pdf
Kidwell, D. C. (2011). Public war, private fight? The United States and private military companies: The United States and private military companies . Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press.
